The German Drinking Water Ordinance sets nitrate limits of 50 mg NO3/l. But this value is often exceeded.
Why is nitrate in drinking water dangerous?
Nitrates are water-soluble salts made from nitrogen and are naturally occurring in the soil. For humans, animals and most plants, nitrogen is a vital substance that is responsible for the formation of proteins in the body.
Nitrates therefore serve as nutrients for plants. For this reason, the originally natural substance is used as fertilizer in fields and accumulates in unnaturally large quantities in the soil. Excrement from agricultural animals also has a high nitrate content and pollutes groundwater to the same extent. Areas and pastures that are mainly used for livestock farming are therefore also difficult nitrate problem areas, such as over-fertilized areas.
Nitrates are generally not harmful to healthy, adult humans. As already mentioned, nitrogen salts are responsible for the formation of protein in the body and are among the essential substances in the human organism. However, there is the possibility that the nitrate develops into nitrite with the help of various intestinal bacteria. In addition, the nitrogen salts can form into nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.
Nitrate in drinking water poses a real danger, especially for babies under six months of age. If the child is poisoned by the high concentration of nitrates, this can result in blue fever, which can even be fatal.
If the nitrogen salts in the body develop into nitrite, this can cause a change in the red blood pigment, especially in babies up to around three months old. Since the blood no longer transports enough oxygen to the organs, this can result in damage to development or the course of the disease can even be fatal. If infants are provided with drinking water, the concentration of nitrates in the water must be less than 50 milligrams per liter.
