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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Nitrite

Reedtown Water Association

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

36

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND70ND
2015ND70ND
2016ND50ND
20170.00600 ppm51ND - 0.0300 ppm
2018ND40ND
2019ND80ND

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
2014-01-27140128-015NIND
2014-02-19140221-014NIND
2014-02-19140221-013NIND
2014-02-19140221-012NIND
2014-02-19140221-010NIND
2014-02-19140221-002NIND
2014-02-19140221-001NIND
2015-01-28150129-104NIND
2015-02-25150226-006NIND
2015-02-25150226-001NIND
2015-02-25150226-002NIND
2015-02-25150226-003NIND
2015-02-25150226-004NIND
2015-02-25150226-005NIND
2016-03-23160324-013NIND
2016-04-27160428-039NIND
2016-04-27160428-042NIND
2016-04-27160428-041NIND
2016-04-27160428-038NIND
2017-02-15170216-039NI0.0300 ppm
2017-02-15170216-004NIND
2017-02-15170216-003NIND
2017-02-15170216-002NIND
2017-02-15170216-001NIND
2018-02-27180228-027NIND
2018-02-27180228-029NIND
2018-02-27180228-031NIND
2018-11-07181108-028NIND
2019-01-30190201-007NIND
2019-01-30190201-006NIND
2019-01-30190201-005NIND
2019-01-30190201-004NIND
2019-05-14190515-009NIND
2019-05-29190529-001NIND
2019-05-29190529-003NIND
2019-05-29190529-002NIND