Nitrite
Bone Gap
Nitrite, closely related to the fertilizer chemical nitrate, comes from urban runoff and from fertilizer applied to agricultural lands to pollute drinking water. Nitrite is significantly more toxic than nitrate. Excessive nitrite in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 0.396 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.791 ppm |
2015 | 0.0320 ppm | 4 | 1 | ND - 0.128 ppm |
2016 | 0.378 ppm | 5 | 2 | ND - 1.70 ppm |
2017 | 0.702 ppm | 5 | 3 | ND - 2.66 ppm |
2018 | 0.390 ppm | 4 | 3 | ND - 0.860 ppm |
2019 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
ppm = parts per million
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 1 ppm
The legal limit for nitrite, established in 1991, was based on the rate of conversion of ingested nitrate into nitrite in adults. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to nitrite exposure.
ppm = parts per million
All test results
Date | Lab ID | Result |
---|---|---|
2014-07-28 | SG41627-01_01 | 0.791 ppm |
2014-10-22 | SJ41137-01_01 | ND |
2015-01-14 | SA50337-01_01 | ND |
2015-04-15 | SD50474-01_01 | ND |
2015-08-19 | SH51253-01_01 | 0.128 ppm |
2015-10-07 | SJ50395-01_01 | ND |
2016-01-25 | 16A0542-01_01 | ND |
2016-04-20 | 16D0517-01_01 | ND |
2016-07-27 | 16G1210-01_01 | 1.70 ppm |
2016-07-30 | 073016002 | 0.190 ppm |
2016-10-18 | 16J0714-01_01 | ND |
2017-02-14 | 17B0319-01_01 | 0.569 ppm |
2017-04-26 | 17D0718-01_01 | ND |
2017-09-13 | 17I0438-01_01 | 2.66 ppm |
2017-09-15 | 091517020 | 0.280 ppm |
2017-11-08 | 17K0303-01_01 | ND |
2018-02-13 | 18B0299-01_01 | 0.250 ppm |
2018-06-18 | 18F0654-01 | 0.860 ppm |
2018-08-21 | 18H1053-01 | 0.450 ppm |
2018-11-07 | 18K0211-01_01 | ND |