Are people at risk from high nitrate levels in potable water?
A. The primary human health effect of excess nitrate levels in drinking water is methemoglobinemia, or “blue-baby syndrome.” That condition is extremely rare and documented cases in the United States are particularly unusual. Nitrites and nitrates are naturally occurring compounds that result from various biological processes. Those processes include microbial decomposition that is an essential component of nutrient cycling in natural ecosystems. Air itself is made up of about 70 percent nitrogen. Nitrogen cycling is essential for plants, wildlife, and atmospheric activity. Although nitrates and nitrites may be dangerous to humans and wildlife in extremely high doses, pork production operations are rarely the primary contributing factor in groundwater or surface water contamination. Commercial fertilizer presents as much of a risk when overapplied or applied at the wrong time as does manure. When that happens, the plant is unable to use all the nutrient compounds and, as a result, grou
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- Are people at risk from high nitrate levels in potable water?
