AWWA JAW31621

Because nitrate contamination of groundwater is pandemic and the costs associated with remediating groundwater are high, the question of risk to human health from nitrate needs to be addressed. In order to prevent methemoglobinemia (an acute toxic response to nitrite exposure that precludes transport of oxygen by the blood), the US Environmental Protection Agency has set the maximum contaminant level for nitrate in drinking water at 10 mg nitrate-N/L. However, it is quite common for groundwater in agricultural areas to exceed this standard at some time during the year. A relationship between nitrate intake and cancer has not been conclusively demonstrated, but some evidence points to a linkage. Includes 41 references, figures.