Evaluation of the nitrate drinking water standard with reference to infant methemoglobinemia and potential reproductive toxicity

Fan, Anna M.; Willhite, Calvin C.; Book, Steven A.

doi:10.1016/0273-2300(87)90024-9

Cited by 118 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Elevated nitrate levels in drinking water have been associated with methemoglobinemia, cancer, neural tube defects, and spontaneous abortions (Swann, 1975;Scragg et al, 1982;Maloney et al, 1983;Dorsch et al, 1984;Fan et al, 1987;CDC, 1994). Methemoglobinemia is the most widely recognized health outcome associated with ingestion of nitrate-contaminated water.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are nitrate levels in groundwater stable over time?

Ruckart

Henderson

Black

et al. 2007

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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Epidemiologists often use a retrospective study design to examine for associations between an exposure and the occurrence of adverse health effects. Several of these studies used this approach to examine for an association between elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water and related health effects such as methemoglobinemia, cancer, neural tube effects, or spontaneous abortions. Often, data on exposures that occurred before these health outcomes were not available. Consequently, researchers use measurements of exposures at the time of the study to represent exposures that occurred before people developed these conditions. An opportunity to examine the stability of nitrate in water occurred during a survey of private water wells in nine Midwestern states. In this survey, water samples from 853 homes with drilled wells were collected in May 1994 and in September 1995 and nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate-N) was measured by the colorimetric cadmium reduction method. Nitrate-N levels from the same well over time were assessed by a mixed-effects analysis of variance. Analysis showed no significant difference in between the initial level and those measured 16 months later. Furthermore, analysis showed that most of the variance in the nitrate concentrations in well water was due to well-to-well variation (89%) rather than to residual error (12%). This observation showed that a single measurement of nitrate in water from drilled wells could represent longer periods of exposure.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are nitrate levels in groundwater stable over time?

Ruckart

Henderson

Black

et al. 2007

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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“…[5][6][7] Although experimental mammalian studies have shown that high levels of nitrite adversely affect reproductive outcomes (e.g., fetal loss, reduced number of litters and live births, and neonatal mortality), they have not produced congenital malformations. [5][6][7] Nevertheless, further research on the teratogenic potential of nitrite has been recommended because some epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk of central nervous system or neural tube defects in populations exposed to high nitrate in drinking water and food. 7 The zebrafish has become a widely used experimental model for developmental toxicology.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Nitrite on Development of Embryos and Early Larval Stages of the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Simmons¹,

Karimi²,

Talwar

et al. 2012

Zebrafish

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Epidemiological studies suggest that high nitrate levels in food and water may cause birth defects or spontaneous abortions in humans. Experimental mammalian studies show that high nitrite levels adversely affect reproductive outcomes, but have not shown congenital malformations. Consequently, the teratogenic potential of nitrite is unclear. In this study, the effects of nitrite on development of zebrafish embryos and early larval stages were investigated. Eggs were exposed to ethanol (a known teratogen), nitrite, or nitrate for 24 or 96 hours, and larvae examined at 120 hours. Sublethal exposure to 300 mM ethanol for 24 hours caused severe pericardial and yolk sac edema, craniofacial and axial malformations, and swim bladder noninflation. The 96 hour LC 50 for nitrite was 411 mg/L. Less severe edema, craniofacial (but not axial) malformations, swim bladder noninflation, and immobility were observed after sublethal exposure to nitrite between 10 and 300 mg/L for 96 hours. Exposure to nitrite for 24 hours at concentrations as high as 2000 mg/L was not lethal. Only axial malformations and swim bladder noninflation were observed at 1500 mg/L. The results demonstrate that sublethal nitrite concentrations cause developmental defects. The type and magnitude of these defects differed after 24 and 96 hours of exposure.

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“…Both compounds induce methaemoglobinaemia, a condition in which the carrying capacity of oxygen in red blood cells is reduced (Lee et al 2013). In mammals, methaemoglobin (MtHb) levels in the blood are normally below 2% (Fan et al 1987). Levels of MtHb in the blood above 70% are usually fatal, creating a lethal deficit of oxygen in cardiac muscle and the brain, and the resulting rapid lack of oxygen to the brain and other vital organs quickly leads to death from respiratory failure (Wright et al 1999;Eason et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Secondary poisoning risk for encapsulated sodium nitrite, a new tool for possum control

Shapiro¹,

Blackie²,

Arthur³

et al. 2018

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Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) present an ongoing threat to New Zealand's environment and economy. Research into additional control techniques is vital to ensure that a variety of efficient tools are available to help achieve population suppression. Encapsulated sodium nitrite (NaNO 2 ) has been developed in New Zealand as a new toxin for possum and feral pig (Sus scrofa) control. Its toxic effects at high doses are mediated through the induction of methaemoglobinaemia, a condition in which the carrying capacity of oxygen in red blood cells is reduced. This study investigated the potential secondary poisoning risks associated with NaNO 2 . Secondary poisoning risks were assessed for dogs, cats and chickens in small-scale trials. Trial groups for each species consisted of two treatment groups with four individuals per group and one non-treatment group with two individuals. For 6 consecutive days, the treatment groups of dogs, cats and chickens were fed entire or partial carcasses from possums lethally poisoned with paste bait containing encapsulated NaNO 2 . Individuals in each group were observed continuously for 3 hours following each daily feeding and blood samples were taken from dogs and cats. Individuals were observed for obvious physiological signs of NaNO 2 poisoning and symptoms of methaemoglobinaemia specific to dogs, cats and chickens. None of the dogs, cats or chickens displayed any obvious physiological signs of poisoning or symptoms of methaemoglobinaemia. Blood chemistry and haematology parameters measured for dogs and cats were either within the range considered normal or when outside this range comparable levels were also recorded in the control group. No changes in histology relating to NaNO 2 intoxication were observed in dogs or cats after being fed carcasses, minced meat, vital organs or stomachs of possums poisoned with NaNO 2 . Therefore, the secondary poisoning risk appears to be minimal.

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Evaluation of the nitrate drinking water standard with reference to infant methemoglobinemia and potential reproductive toxicity

Cited by 118 publications

References 31 publications

Are nitrate levels in groundwater stable over time?

Are nitrate levels in groundwater stable over time?

Effects of Nitrite on Development of Embryos and Early Larval Stages of the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Secondary poisoning risk for encapsulated sodium nitrite, a new tool for possum control

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