# 6.3.1 Inorganic chemicals Inorganic chemicals in drinking water include metals and metalloids, usually occurring as dissolved salts, principally carbonates, chlorides and sulfates, attached to suspended material such as colloids and clay particles, or as complexes with naturally occurring organic compounds. Metals of concern can be released from plumbing products, in both dissolved and particulate form, via chemical or biochemical reactions (e.g. microbially-influenced corrosion) within the water and through physical abrasion of surfaces. Unless otherwise stated, the guideline value refers to the total amount of the substance present, regardless of its form (i.e. both dissolved or particulate forms). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/part-2/chapter-6/6.3-chemical-quality-of-drinking-water/6.3.1-inorganic-chemicals.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.