Human Health
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Chemical and Pathogenic Contaminant Exposure: Nitrate
Elevated concentrations of nitrate (and nitrite) in drinking water can cause blood disease in human babies. Therefore the USEPA has established a Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate of 10 mg/L. Nitrate is an oxidized form of nitrogen that is naturally found in water resources in low concentrations but also can be found in elevated concentrations in ground and surface water draining agricultural or other areas where fertilizers or human and animal wastes are applied to, or enter, the environment. U.S. Geological Survey research provides occurrence data as well as information on natural and anthropogenic sources of nitrogen and nitrogen cycling in the environment. In Drinking Water Sources, environmental occurrence, fate and transport:
Other Sources of USGS Information on Nitrate in Water Resources |
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