Nitrates & Nitrite:
What are Nitrates and Nitrite?
Nitrate (NO3) comes into water supplies through the nitrogen cycle rather than via dissolved minerals. Most nitrate that occurs in drinking water is the result of contamination of ground water supplies by septic systems, feed lots, and agricultural fertilizers. Nitrates are reduced to Nitrite through the saliva of the mouth and upper GI tract.
What are the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for Nitrates and Nitrite?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency sets a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for contaminants in public drinking water. The MCL is the maximum concentration that is allowed for public water supplies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency states the maximum contaminant level for Nitrates allowed in drinking water is 10 mg/L or 10 ppm. Nitrites are not usually found in drinking water supplies at concentrations above 1 or 2 mg/l (ppm), and the US EPA has set a MCL at 1 mg/L or 1 ppm for Nitrite.
What are the potential health effects from long-term exposure above the MCL?
Nitrates, when reduced to Nirtrite in the body, can cause Methemoglobinemia a.k.a. blue baby syndrome. This is a serious condition in young infants and new born animals where the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood is reduced. Because infants have higher alkaline conditions in their GI tract, they are at a much greater risk of experiencing Anoxia (an insufficiency of oxygen) or even death.
What treatment methods have been proven to be effective for removal or inactivation?
Ion exchange or reverse osmosis has been most effective for the removal of Nitrates to below 10 mg/L or 10 ppm, and Nitrite to below 1 mg/L or 1 ppm.
What solutions does RainDance Water Systems have to offer?
Check out our variety of specialty nitrate removal systems or reverse osmosis water treatment systems here:
What are Nitrates and Nitrite?
Nitrate (NO3) comes into water supplies through the nitrogen cycle rather than via dissolved minerals. Most nitrate that occurs in drinking water is the result of contamination of ground water supplies by septic systems, feed lots, and agricultural fertilizers. Nitrates are reduced to Nitrite through the saliva of the mouth and upper GI tract.
What are the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for Nitrates and Nitrite?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency sets a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for contaminants in public drinking water. The MCL is the maximum concentration that is allowed for public water supplies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency states the maximum contaminant level for Nitrates allowed in drinking water is 10 mg/L or 10 ppm. Nitrites are not usually found in drinking water supplies at concentrations above 1 or 2 mg/l (ppm), and the US EPA has set a MCL at 1 mg/L or 1 ppm for Nitrite.
What are the potential health effects from long-term exposure above the MCL?
Nitrates, when reduced to Nirtrite in the body, can cause Methemoglobinemia a.k.a. blue baby syndrome. This is a serious condition in young infants and new born animals where the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood is reduced. Because infants have higher alkaline conditions in their GI tract, they are at a much greater risk of experiencing Anoxia (an insufficiency of oxygen) or even death.
What treatment methods have been proven to be effective for removal or inactivation?
Ion exchange or reverse osmosis has been most effective for the removal of Nitrates to below 10 mg/L or 10 ppm, and Nitrite to below 1 mg/L or 1 ppm.
What solutions does RainDance Water Systems have to offer?
Check out our variety of specialty nitrate removal systems or reverse osmosis water treatment systems here:
Please note: The contaminant listed above is intended for research and informational purposes only. It is not intended to suggest that the listed contaminant is present in your water supply. Only testing by an accredited lab can identify the presence of contaminants in your water supply.
