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Background on Nitrates |
Health Concerns |
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Nitrate is a water soluble molecule made of nitrogen and oxygen.
It is formed when nitrogen from ammonia or another source combines
with oxygenated water. Nitrate is naturally found in plants and
many foods, and is tasteless and odorless. Since it does not
evaporate or bind well to soil, it is used by plants or stays in
the water. Nitrate reactions can cause oxygen depletion in water,
which may cause fish kills. Most adults take in 20-70 mg of nitrate
per day from vegetables according to the World Health Organization.
It is not thought to be harmful if part of a balanced diet as humans
can readily absorb and excrete nitrates in urine.
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Causes “blue baby syndrome” or methemo-
globinemeia as nitrate changes to nitrite in their stomachs
Pregnant women should not drink if contaminated; more susceptible to methemoglobinemia
People with heart or lung disease, inherited enzyme defects, or cancer are more sensitive
Boiling water for more than 10 minutes can make nitrate more concentrated (freezing or letting stand does not eliminate nitrates either)
Causes “brown blood disease” in fish.
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Why Test for Nitrates |
Remedies |
- If you have a shallow well, dug well, or have a damaged or leaking
casing
- If there is a pregnant or nursing woman in the home
- If you have children, ruminant animals, horses, or infant animals
- If you have a fish tank or pond
- If you live near a livestock lot or heavily fertilized area
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Federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate in drinking water is 10 mg/L. Nitrite MCL is 1 mg/L or (part per million).
- Short term solution: buy bottled water
- Long term solutions: reverse osmosis, distillation, ion exchange
unit, repair your well casing, have a deeper well made
- In-line filters and softeners do not remove nitrates
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Sources of Nitrates |
Background on Nitrates |
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Nitrates are in fertilizers, animal waste, human sewage, decaying plant debris, and industrial waste.
Sodium nitrite is used for the “curing of meat” because it prevents bacterial growth and gives a dark red color.
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Nitrite is a salt or ester of nitrous acid. It can be reduced to nitrate, nitric
oxide, or ammonia by many species of bacteria. Nitrites can produce nitrosamines
under certain conditions such as acid in human stomachs, which can lead to
gastric problems after long exposure. |
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