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HEALTHY WATER <br /> Erb, <br /> Nitrate and Drinking Water from Private Wells <br /> What is nitrate? <br /> Nitrate is a compound that is formed naturally when nitrogen combines with oxygen or ozone. Nitrogen is <br /> essential for all living things, but high levels of nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water can be dangerous to <br /> health, especially for infants and pregnant women. Nitrates are also made in large amounts by plants and <br /> animals, and are released in smoke and industrial or automotive exhaust. <br /> How can I be exposed to nitrate? <br /> Adults are mainly exposed to nitrate through foods. The main nitrate exposure for infants is contaminated <br /> well water used to prepare formula and other baby foods. <br /> Where and how does nitrate get into drinking water? <br /> Nitrate can occur naturally in surface and groundwater at a level that does not generally cause health <br /> problems. High levels of nitrate in well water often result from improper well construction, well location, <br /> overuse of chemical fertilizers, or improper disposal of human and animal waste. Sources of nitrate that <br /> can enter your well include fertilizers, septic systems, animal feedlots, industrial waste, and food <br /> processing waste. <br /> What are the symptoms of methemoglobinemia? <br /> Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder caused by having too much nitrate in your body. This blood <br /> disorder has very visible signs and mainly affects infants. In babies less than 6 months of age, high levels <br /> of nitrate in the body will prevent the blood from delivering oxygen effectively to different parts of the body. <br /> As a result, the infant may have blueness around the mouth, hands, and feet(hence the name, "blue baby <br /> syndrome"). This blue color does not necessarily mean that the infant is having breathing problems. <br /> However, without treatment and the removal of nitrate from drinking water, the condition could worsen and <br /> affect the baby's breathing. Other signs of"blue baby syndrome"include vomiting and diarrhea. <br /> Pregnant women also do not tolerate nitrates very well. In women who are nursing their babies, nitrate <br /> can pass through the mother's milk to her baby and affect the baby indirectly. <br /> What should I do if I have concerns about methemoglobinemia? <br /> See your health care provider immediately to discuss your concerns. Treatment is available. <br /> How is methemoglobinemia diagnosed? <br /> A simple and quick finger-prick blood test can be used to diagnose methemoglobinemia. <br /> What is the treatment for nitrate exposure? <br /> Changing your drinking water is usually the only treatment necessary. The new water should have less <br /> than 10 milligrams of nitrate-nitrogen per liter. Severely affected infants may need additional treatment. <br /> Consult with your health care provider. <br /> How do I remove nitrate from my drinking water? <br /> Please DO NOT heat or boil your water to remove nitrate. Because some of the water will evaporate <br /> during the boiling process, the nitrate levels of water can actually increase in concentration if the water is <br /> boiled. Mechanical filters or chemical disinfection, such as chlorination, DOES NOT remove nitrate from <br /> water. <br /> Nitrate may be successfully removed from water using treatment processes such as ion exchange, <br /> distillation, and reverse osmosis. Contact your local health department for recommended procedures. For <br />