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Environmental Health Investigations Branch • California Department of Health Services <br /> FEBRUARY 2000 <br /> HEALTH CONCERNS RELATED <br /> TO NITRATE AND NITRITE IN <br /> PRIVATE WELL WATER <br /> itrate and nitrite are two chemicals <br /> c that are sometimes found in private <br /> well water. Infants who drink water <br /> containing elevated levels of nitrate <br /> can develop serious health problems. <br /> This fact sheet provides information <br /> about these chemicals and includes <br /> steps you can take to protect your <br /> Jfamily's health if your drinking water <br /> contains unsafe levels of nitrate and <br /> nitrite. <br /> How are You and Your Family Exposed to Nitrate and Nitrite in <br /> Drinking Water? <br /> Elevated nitrate levels in drinking water are often caused by groundwater contamina- <br /> tion from animal waste run-off from dairies and feedlots, excessive use of fertilizers, or <br /> seepage of human sewage from private septic systems. Microorganisms in the soil, water <br /> and sewage change the nitrate to nitrite. <br /> How Does Nitrite Affect the Body <br /> Nitrite is of particular health concern in the body because it causes the hemoglobin in the <br /> blood to change to methemoglobin. Methemoglobin reduces the amount of oxygen that <br /> can be carried in the blood. This results in cells throughout the body being deprived of <br /> sufficient oxygen to function properly. This condition is called methemoglobinemia. <br /> Infants and Methemoglobinemia <br /> Infants, particularly those under six months of age, are the most at risk of developing <br /> serious health problems from drinking water that contains elevated levels of nitrate or <br /> nitrite.This is because there are differences between the bodies and behaviors of infants <br /> and adults or older children. <br />