Nitrite
Westbrook
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.
29
Samples
2
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
0
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0.278 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0400 ppm - 0.750 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.193 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0200 ppm - 0.380 ppm |
| 2020 | 0.295 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0600 ppm - 0.640 ppm |
| 2021 | 0.103 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0200 ppm - 0.290 ppm |
| 2022 | 0.656 ppm | 9 | 8 | ND - 1.88 ppm |
| 2023 | 0.293 ppm | 4 | 3 | ND - 0.630 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-02-13 | 18B0724-01 | 0.750 ppm |
| 2018-05-15 | 18E1263-01 | 0.240 ppm |
| 2018-07-31 | 18H0050-01 | 0.0400 ppm |
| 2018-10-23 | 18J1205-01 | 0.0800 ppm |
| 2019-03-12 | 19C0538-01 | 0.330 ppm |
| 2019-05-14 | 19E1096-01 | 0.380 ppm |
| 2019-07-30 | 19G2194-01 | 0.0200 ppm |
| 2019-10-30 | 19J1752-01 | 0.0400 ppm |
| 2020-02-11 | 20B0639-01 | 0.420 ppm |
| 2020-04-27 | 20D0895-01 | 0.640 ppm |
| 2020-10-27 | 20J1462-01 | 0.0600 ppm |
| 2020-10-28 | 20J1612-01 | 0.0600 ppm |
| 2021-01-13 | 21A0492-01 | 0.0200 ppm |
| 2021-04-21 | 21D1224-01 | 0.0200 ppm |
| 2021-08-17 | 21H1445-01 | 0.290 ppm |
| 2021-10-26 | 21J1447-01 | 0.0800 ppm |
| 2022-02-23 | 22B1372-01 | 1.32 ppm |
| 2022-02-25 | 22B1421-01 | 0.960 ppm |
| 2022-02-25 | 22B1421-02 | 0.810 ppm |
| 2022-05-17 | 22E1399-01 | ND |
| 2022-06-07 | 22F0502-01 | 1.88 ppm |
| 2022-06-09 | 22F0682-01 | 0.1000 ppm |
| 2022-06-09 | 22F0682-02 | 0.0900 ppm |
| 2022-08-24 | 22H2270-01 | 0.360 ppm |
| 2022-12-06 | 22L0245-01 | 0.380 ppm |
| 2023-02-08 | 23B0566-01 | 0.150 ppm |
| 2023-04-04 | 23D0137-01 | 0.630 ppm |
| 2023-09-12 | 23I0592-01 | ND |
| 2023-10-18 | 23J0994-01 | 0.390 ppm |