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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Nitrite

Fmh Water Association #1

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.

 

24

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND40ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND40ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND40ND
2019ND50ND

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
2014-05-19140520-039NIND
2014-05-19140520-037NIND
2014-05-19140520-036NIND
2014-05-19140520-030NIND
2015-05-20150521-019NIND
2015-05-20150521-018NIND
2015-05-20150521-016NIND
2015-05-20150521-015NIND
2016-05-25160526-007NIND
2016-05-25160526-045NIND
2016-05-25160526-038NIND
2016-05-25160526-030NIND
2017-11-08171109-014NIND
2017-11-08171109-013NIND
2017-11-08171109-010NIND
2018-04-03180404-039NIND
2018-04-03180404-034NIND
2018-04-03180404-033NIND
2018-04-03180404-031NIND
2019-05-14190515-024NIND
2019-05-14190515-031NIND
2019-05-14190515-030NIND
2019-05-14190515-029NIND
2019-05-14190515-028NIND