Excuse me Sir, what is the nitrate of this hotel?
Nitrate & Nitrite are important components in the nitrogen cycle and are common ingredients in fertilizers. Nitrite readily oxidizes into nitrate and readily dissolves in water, and therefore is more commonly found in water. Both chemicals are found within the soil and water. Nitrate and nitrite are found in nature due to the oxidation of ammonia from organic wastes.
Exposure to these chemicals comes from consuming vegetables. Leafy green vegetables and root vegetables have a higher amount of nitrate and nitrites. Other sources of exposure could be runoff from farms that contains nitrates and nitrites from fertilizers.
High level exposures to these compounds can cause acute acquired methemoglobinemia. This is a disorder where there the hemoglobin in the blood becomes unable to bring oxygen to the body’s tissues. It can also cause cyanosis of the body’s limbs, coma, and death. Exposure is hazardous for pregnant woman as it can cause complications with the baby. The Environmental Protection Agency has not classified nitrates and nitrites as a human carcinogen.
For More Information Regarding Nitrates and Nitrites:
