Sign up to receive email updates, action alerts & health tips from EWG. [Privacy]

Table 8: Human or animal studies indicating that nitrate, nitrite, or N-Nitroso compounds can cause birth defects

Reports & Consumer Guides

Pouring It On: Table 8: Human or animal studies indicating that nitrate, nitrite, or N-Nitroso compounds can cause birth defects

February 1, 1996
Author Type Finding
Druckrey, 1966, Givelber, 1969 Animals A single dose of an N-nitrosamide early in the pregnancy can cause birth defects in the offspring.
Shuval and Gruener, 1972 Animals Nitrite and N-Nitroso compounds can cross the placental barrier and affect fetal development.
Super, 1981 Humans Mothers exposed to elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water have higher rates of infant death in the first year of life.
Knox, 1972 Humans In Britain, consumption of foods high in nitrite was associated with birth defects (anencephaly)
Dorsch, 1984 Humans Consumption of water high in nitrate associated with birth defects of the musculoskeletal or central nervous system. A dose-response relationship was observed.