Health hazards of nitrate in drinking water

Abstract

Nitrate per se is not toxic, but is the precursor of nitrite which is produced through microbial reduction of nitrate in the intestine or in food preparations and which causes methemoglobinemia. Children exposed to excessive nitrate in their diet can have slightly retarded bodily growth and slower reflexes. The trouble is mainly confined to infants who are artificially fed with milk feeds made with water containing elevated nitrate levels. The exposure of the South African population to nitrates in drinking water is unknown, as are possible effects of it