Nitrogen makes up 21% of our atmosphere. Though our bodies do not need nitrogen in this gaseous form, plants that we eat do. In fact, all living systems need nitrogen in some form since the nitrogen is used to build many essential components such as proteins, DNA, RNA, and vitamins, as well as hormones and enzymes. The plants we eat use simple nitrogen such as ammonium nitrate and make complex nitrates such as amino acids and nucleic acids. This latter form of nitrogen we can use. Plants work as ‘mediators’ to take unusual nitrogen and convert it to a useable form for us. However, this also means that some forms of nitrogen that is good for plants can be poison to us.
Nitrates are compounds formed by one or more elements combining chemically with NO3-, the nitrate ion. Some common nitrate compounds include potassium nitrate (KNO3), sodium nitrate (NaNO3), and nitric acid (HNO3). Nitrates are some of the most water soluable ions known to man.
Since the 1950’s farmland has been soaked in nitrogen rich fertilizers. When these fertilizers leach into the drinking water, harmful contamination results. You have no doubt noticed three numbers on a bag of fertilizer such as 20-5-10. These numbers relate the percent of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the bag. This form of nitrogen is great for plants, but, when it enters ground water or runs off in streams, it is detrimental.
Nitrogen fertilizers are not the only sources of nitrate pollution in water. Nitrogen rich manure used as fertilizer also pollutes water sources. In addition, nitrate-containing wastes are produced by many industrial processes including paper and munitions manufacturing. Burning of fossil fuels in power plants and cars, SUVs and all internal combustion engines results in the production of nitric acid and ammonia as air pollution. Also nitrogen oxides from industrial air pollutions form nitric acid and are washed into the water by rain.
Methemologlobinemia, also called “blue baby,” is a serious problem caused largely by high nitrate levels in drinking water. These high nitrate levels interrupt the normal body processes of some infants, especially those under six months of age. Nitrate becomes toxic when it is reduced to nitrite, a process that can occur in the stomach or in the saliva of the infant. Babies are especially susceptible because their stomach juices are weaker and therefore are more likely to permit the production of nitrate-reducing bacteria in their stomachs.
Nitrite in the blood combines with hemoglobin to form methemoglobin. This reduces the capability of the blood to carry oxygen around the body. The result is the “blue” condition of the baby’s skin. The blue coloring in the skin means the infant is being asphyxiated because oxygen cannot be transported by the blood. If it is observed, medical help should be sought immediately.
Boiling the water will not reduce the nitrate concentration; in fact, it actually increases the concentration by evaporating the water and thus concentrating the pollutants. Water that is high in nitrates should not be used for preparing infant formula or any food that could be consumed by a baby.
Though fatalities are rare, methemoglobinemia can insidiously show no symptoms while it is affecting child or animal development. Chronic consumption of high levels of nitrate may also cause other health problems, for example teratogenic effects and some cancers.
Bacteria and nitrates are the only two water pollutants that we know cause an immediate threat to health. So says the EPA. Because of this a nitrate test kit has been developed and should be kept close by, especially for those relying on untreated water for drinking and cooking. Farm well water should be tested and, if necessary, treated often.
The good news is that 85% of nitrates can be removed from drinking and cooking water simply by filtering this water using a Berkey water filter. Even if you don’t think there is an imminent problem of nitrates in your water source, it is still wise to filter your drinking water – just to be safe.
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Tags: Nitrate Pollution
