Nitrite
Tamarac (east), City of
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 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
2015 | 0.0370 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.0740 ppm |
2016 | 0.0145 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.0290 ppm |
2017 | 0.0280 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.00350 ppm - 0.0525 ppm |
2018 | 0.0258 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.00300 ppm - 0.0486 ppm |
2019 | 0.0196 ppm | 3 | 2 | ND - 0.0196 ppm |
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 | Result |
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