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Nitrates in drinking water have at times been blamed for blue baby syndrome, although scientists have cast doubt on what the risk actually is to humans. It is known that high levels in the ocean can cause the death of fish, primarily by increasing algae blooms and suffocating other forms or marine life. In humans, excessive nitrate intake causes changes in the blood that lead to oxygen depletion in the organs and tissues. The blue baby syndrome mentioned above and the condition in adults is actually called Methemoglobinemia. Adults, children and infants that produce insufficient stomach acid have an increased risk of Methemoglobinemia. The condition is treatable, assuming it is caught in time. Increased consumption of green leafy vegetables can cause the problem, because of the nitrate content. Vegetables naturally contain it. It is added to farmland as a fertilizer. It is present in the ground due to the breakdown of human and animal waste. In areas where there are septic tanks, it seeps into the ground and is present in groundwater. The amount present in lakes fed by groundwater can be high as a result. Farm runoff is the primary cause of nitrates in drinking water in most areas. Even in an area that seems to be far away from farmland, the public freshwater source could at some point run through the land. In general, healthy adults are not affected by nitrate intake. But, it does depend on their diet. Too much in the diet combined with too much in their drinking water could create a problem. People with gallstones or hepatitis, asthma or food allergies are more sensitive to the negative effects of nitrate. When unfiltered tap-water is used to make baby formula, there is an increased risk to the infant, but not only because of the nitrate. The nitrates in drinking water may be the least of a parent’s concerns. Perchlorate was recently found in dozens of different test sites throughout the US. Yet that compound is not regulated by the EPA. Perchlorate is an element in rocket fuel. Not only was it found in samples of freshwater. It has also been found in cow’s milk and vegetables. It is assumed that the presence in cow’s milk is due to the animals drinking from ponds or streams tainted with the substance. The nitrates in drinking water might be a problem to children. If perchlorate is there, it is definitely a problem. It is known to cause developmental delays and can lead to a variety of health problems. Perchlorate is a VOC. It can be removed with a filter that reduces VOCs. You will need to check the product performance data to be sure that your filter works to remove them. If you don’t have a water filter on your tap, you need one, you really do. Buying bottled water is no solution. The nitrate content of bottle beverages is not regulated. In fact, there are very few regulations concerning bottled brands. Now that you know a little more about nitrates in drinking water, you might want to learn why buying bottled is not a good choice. Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of Water Purification Systems. Visit his website now at Water-Safe-And-Pure.com to discover which Water Purification Systems Gordon recommends after far ranging comparisons.
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