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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Nitrite

Weiler-martin Tracts 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.

 

14

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND10ND
2015ND10ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND

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
2014-04-2207426ND
2015-04-2910417ND
2016-04-20ND
2016-09-12ND
2016-12-20ND
2017-03-16ND
2017-04-20ND
2017-12-18ND
2018-01-22ND
2018-06-21ND
2018-11-26ND
2019-02-21ND
2019-05-29ND
2019-09-19ND