Despite recent tests on Indiana rivers indicating high levels of mercury in their water, the White River tested among the lowest in the state.
According to a report from the Environment News Service, Indiana is sixth in the U.S. in the amount of mercury its industrial facilities emit.
Rick Conrad, director of the Bureau of Water Quality, said the White River's mercury levels are among the lowest in the state.
"The past three years our tests have indicated the White River contains from 1 to 10 micrograms of mercury," he said, "and these are very small quantities."
Conrad said Muncie and surrounding areas do not have industries depositing mercury in the river. He said the mercury found is from facilities in other counties.
Jarmila Popovicova, assistant professor of natural resources and environmental management, said the main threat mercury poses is through consumption of fish.
Mercury accumulation affects the food chain, she said. When levels get high, the state advises people not to eat certain types of fish.
Popovicova said higher levels of mercury in rivers can lead to neurotoxicity, birth defects and death.
She said the air emissions from burning coal from industrial facilities cause mercury contamination.
"There really is nothing that can be done to eliminate the amount of mercury in rivers," Popovicova said.
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