Nitrite
Atlanta
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.
50
Samples
18
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
0
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.497 ppm | 3 | 2 | ND - 0.940 ppm |
| 2015 | 1.17 ppm | 9 | 9 | 0.870 ppm - 1.50 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.704 ppm | 9 | 9 | 0.180 ppm - 1.20 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.887 ppm | 9 | 8 | ND - 1.46 ppm |
| 2018 | 1.04 ppm | 12 | 11 | ND - 2.70 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.189 ppm | 8 | 3 | ND - 0.700 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 | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-05-06 | 4051031-01 | 0.940 ppm |
| 2014-09-02 | 4090475-01 | 0.550 ppm |
| 2014-11-05 | 4110758-01 | ND |
| 2015-02-04 | 5020573-01 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2015-02-09 | 5021011-01 | 0.870 ppm |
| 2015-05-06 | 5050897-01 | 0.970 ppm |
| 2015-07-01 | 5070237-01 | 1.20 ppm |
| 2015-07-06 | 5070486-01 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2015-07-09 | 5071381-01 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2015-07-22 | 5073683-01 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2015-10-06 | 5101144-01 | 1.20 ppm |
| 2015-10-07 | 5101141-01 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2016-02-03 | 6020666-01 | 0.930 ppm |
| 2016-02-03 | 6020666-02 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2016-04-06 | 6040927-01 | 0.870 ppm |
| 2016-04-06 | 6040927-02 | 0.750 ppm |
| 2016-05-03 | 6050693-01 | 0.190 ppm |
| 2016-09-07 | 6090923-01 | 1.20 ppm |
| 2016-09-16 | 6092649-01 | 0.180 ppm |
| 2016-10-04 | 6100845-01 | 0.710 ppm |
| 2016-10-04 | 6100845-02 | 0.410 ppm |
| 2017-01-03 | 7010464-02 | 1.46 ppm |
| 2017-01-03 | 7010464-01 | ND |
| 2017-01-09 | 7010952-01 | 0.840 ppm |
| 2017-04-05 | 7040749-01 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2017-04-05 | 7040749-02 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2017-08-02 | 7080620-01 | 0.200 ppm |
| 2017-08-02 | 7080620-02 | 0.180 ppm |
| 2017-10-04 | 7100862-02 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2017-10-04 | 7100862-01 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2018-02-07 | 8021127-02 | 0.580 ppm |
| 2018-02-07 | 8021127-01 | 0.640 ppm |
| 2018-04-04 | 8040896-02 | 0.560 ppm |
| 2018-04-04 | 8040896-01 | 0.900 ppm |
| 2018-07-06 | 8070967-02 | 2.70 ppm |
| 2018-07-16 | 8072780-01 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2018-07-20 | 8074033-01 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2018-07-24 | 8074253-01 | 1.20 ppm |
| 2018-08-01 | 8080257-01 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2018-08-17 | 8083535-01 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2018-12-05 | 8120949-01 | ND |
| 2018-12-05 | 8120949-02 | 0.680 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | 9030988-01 | ND |
| 2019-03-06 | 9030988-02 | ND |
| 2019-05-01 | 9050265-01 | ND |
| 2019-05-01 | 9050265-02 | 0.310 ppm |
| 2019-08-16 | 9083597-02 | 0.700 ppm |
| 2019-08-16 | 9083597-01 | ND |
| 2019-11-06 | 9111039-02 | 0.500 ppm |
| 2019-11-06 | 9111039-01 | ND |