Health
Effects
In the human body, nitrate (NO3) is broken down
into nitrite (NO2), which binds to the hemoglobin
in the blood. This reduces the body’s ability
to transport oxygen. In severe cases, nitrite
poisoning can result in a blue color to the skin.
This condition is known as methahemoglobinemia,
or “Blue Baby Syndrome”.
Regulation of
Nitrate
Nitrate is regulated in most countries to a level
of 10 mg/liter as nitrogen (44 mg/liter as NO3).
The
World Health Organization (WHO) guideline
is <50 mg/liter.
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