How to Remove Fluoride & Nitrate from Drinking Water Fluoride

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How to Remove Fluoride & Nitrate from
Drinking Water
( 1) Fluoride
The Truth About Fluoride and Drinking
Water
Vernon Coleman
Fluoride is deliberately added to drinking water supplies in the hope that
it will help reduce the incidence of tooth decay. Many governments have
announced their determination to add fluoride to all drinking water.
The link between fluoride and tooth decay was first established at the
end of the nineteenth century and there is little doubt that fluoride does
help to protect the teeth by making tooth enamel - the hard outside
covering of teeth - tougher and more decay resistant. When tests done
on large numbers of people showed that tooth decay is slower in those
parts of the country where drinking water supplies naturally contain
fluoride some scientists and politicians suggested that putting fluoride
into the drinking water supplies might improve the dental health of the
general population. The fluoridation of water supplies began in America
in 1945 and today the move towards fluoridation is spreading all over the
world. Politicians are enthusiastic about using fluoride in this way
because they have been convinced that the end result will be a reduction
in health costs. (There is nothing politicians love more than to be able to
cut the cost of looking after the people while at the same time claiming
that what they are doing is for the good of the electorate. It's a double
whammy for the modern, crooked politician.)
However, those who oppose fluoridation are able to put forward several
arguments in their favour.
First, you do not, of course, have to add fluoride to drinking water in
order to protect teeth. You can get exactly the same effect by persuading
people to use fluoride toothpastes. And since many toothpastes now do
contain fluoride most people already get all the fluoride they need simply
by brushing their teeth.
Second, there is no doubt that putting fluoride into drinking water
supplies is a potentially dangerous business. The amount of fluoride that
you can put into drinking water has to be judged very accurately. To get
the best effect from the fluoride you need to add around one part per
million. However, if you get the sums wrong the consequences can be
devastating. Just two parts of fluoride per million can cause mottling of
the teeth and if the quantities are allowed to rise a little higher bone
disorders and cancer may be the result. Naturally, the scientists and
politicians who are keen on putting fluoride into our drinking water
supplies claim that the methods used are foolproof but I think that one
would have to be a fool to believe that! Many people have already been
poisoned by accidental overdoses of chemicals and in 1986, the World
Health Organization published a report in which concern was expressed
about the incidence of dental problems caused by there being too much
fluoride in public drinking water supplies. Needless to say getting
unwanted, excess fluoride out of the drinking water supplies can be
extremely difficult. To all this we must add the fact that since drinking
water supplies already contain a number of chemicals - some of which
occur naturally in the supplies, nitrates which accumulate because of the
use of fertilizers, chlorine and aluminium sulphate which are added
deliberately and lead or copper from the pipes which are used to supply
the water to our homes - adding fluoride to the mixture may increase the
risk of a dangerous interaction between the various chemicals in the
water. Whenever chemicals exist in solution together there are chemical
reactions. I don't think anyone really knows what the consequences are
of putting all these chemicals into our drinking water.
The fourth anti-fluoridation argument is that a growing number of people
seem to be allergic to the chemicals which are being put into our drinking
water. Many people are allergic to fluoride and cannot drink fluoridated
drinking water.
Finally, I am particularly worried by the fact that as the pro-fluoridation
argument is won in more and more parts of the world, scientists and
politicians are suggesting putting other chemicals into the drinking water
supplies. One scientist has, for example, already suggested that drinking
water should have antibiotics added to it (to reduce the incidence of
infection and so to reduce health costs). Another has recommended that
tranquillisers be added to drinking water supplies (in order to calm down
the voters and allow the politicians to get on with running the world the
way they want to run it). A third suggestion has been that contraceptives
be added to the drinking water in order to reduce the birth rate.
A surprising number of doctors and politicians support the compulsory
fluoridisation of water (it is difficult to think of a more fascisst act than
to force people to take medicine, regardless of their need, whether they
want it or not) and in much of the world it seems that this battle is now
lost. However, it isn't lost everywhere.
In Switzerland (perhaps the only true democracy remaining in the world)
the Swiss Canton of Basel-Stadt recently repealed a resolution on
fluoridation which had been introduced in 1962. The Swiss stopped
adding fluoride to their water after over 40 years on the following
grounds:
1. Although fluoridation has been going on for many decades there are
no studies proving that the fluoridation of drinking water prevents tooth
decay.
2. Dental caries in the area had increased in children, despite the
fluoridation of the drinking water (rather suggesting that the added
fluoride hadn't done any good and might be doing harm).
3. The fluoridation of water might cause bone damage - and could be a
particular problem in young children and babies.
4. More than 99% of water with added fluoride is used for washing,
bathing, cleaning etc and so does nothing for teeth but does pollute the
environment.
Taken from How To Stop Your Doctor Killing You by Vernon Coleman,
published in the UK by EMJ Books and available through the webshop on
this site and through all good bookshops everywhere.
How to Get Fluoride Out Of Your
Drinking Water
Member
By chinplus
User-Submitted Article
Article Rating:
(1 Ratings)
Get Fluoride Out Of Your Drinking Water
If you are reading this, then you must have researched the dangers of the
consumption of fluoride. Many health advocates agree with this and would like
to remove it from their water. In this article, you will learn of many things you
can do to remove fluoride (aka Sodium Fluoride) from your water along with
how to acquire clean pure water.
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Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
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Some Money
5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Filter
Solar Still
Water Distiller
Atmospheric Water Generator
A Well
1.
Step 1
I will start with the most simple & easy method. You can buy distilled
water or pure spring water at the store. Be sure it is either distilled or pure
spring as many bottled waters do contain sodium fluoride. Spring water
may contain calcium fluoride, but it is not considered nearly as toxic as
sodium fluoride is by health advocates. Bottled water is fairly cheap.
2.
Step 2
The next method is a solar still. This is a device you can either build or
buy that fills with tap water on a dark background. As the sun penetrates
through the glass, water will begin to evaporate (without the fluoride or
many other chemicals) and collect on glass above it. The glass on top is
angled down, and the water bead come together and drip down on the
under side of the glass to a collection reservoir of pure water.
3.
Step 3
This method uses a water distiller. Distillers cost between $100 - $200
most often, but of course you can spend more if you want. A distiller
simply boils the water and collects the water vapor on a cooler surface.
Then it collects the water vapor into a reservoir. Much like placing a lid on
a pot cooking and the water droplets that form on the lid. A distiller works
on the exact same principal. It rids the water of many pathogens,
impurities, and a lot of fluoride.
4.
Step 4
The next method can cost a moderate amount of money. Often $200$300. You can install a 5 stage reverse osmosis filter on your tap water.
The reverse osmosis process usually removes approximately 98% of all
fluoride amongst many other chemicals.
5.
Step 5
This method can be very costly. Usually from $1000-$2000. However, it
is one I personally highly recommend to you. This device is called an
atmospheric water generator. It looks like a water cooler without a bottle,
and works like a high power air dehumidifier. It pulls pure moisture out of
the air, collects the water, then puts it through a 5 stage filter. Next they
pass through a Ultra Violet filter (UV) and the generator cools and heats
the water. There is no other known method that I know of that will give
you such clean purified water. You do pay for it, but you will live in
confidence that you water is so clean.
6.
Step 6
This step is the most costly. If you are in a rural enough area, have a well
drilled. This will give you access to the water table under your land. Most
often this water is pretty clean and will not contain much sodium fluoride
(if any) but it may have natural occurring calcium
how can i get fluoride out of my drinking water?
Asked by asvd22 from Washington, DC 2 months ago
Show me another question! | Report Abuse
5 Answers
The most practical techniques for the home are reverse
osmosis or activated alumina filtration. Many fine brands of
reverse osmosis are available for residences. We are an
independent distributor of 37 different brands of water
treatment, and we like the Kinetico K5 Water Station because
it works the best for the longest period of time to take out
flouride and many other contaminants. It is readily available
from your local Kinetico dealer. Try looking them up on their
website www.kinetico.com and typing your zip code into the
dealer locator.
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0
Answered by Water for Life
523 Tomahawk Trail, Woodstock, GA, 30188, 770-578-0600,
(Novice: 5 pts.)
Answered 1 week ago.
Report Abuse
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Answered by Drive to success with Shaklee & OrGano Gold
Healthier Coffee
http://www.wellthygreenpeople.com, Aurora, CO, 80015, 720-2382298, (Novice: 3 pts.)
Answered 1 month ago.
Report Abuse
We have a Reverse Osmosis System that is not only certified to reduce Fluoride from
the water 93.9% but is also NSF for over 67 other contaminants.
MP750PlusRO Multi-Pure's Reverse Osmosis unit. Combines RO technology with
Multi-Pure's solid carbon block filtration. Reduces a wide range of contaminants
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Contact for our special discount offer and free gift.
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Answered by Multi Pure Drinking Water Filtration
http://www.HealthyWater4Less.com, Kingsport, TN, 37660, 423-7651170, (Novice: 11 pts.)
Answered 2 months ago.
Report Abuse
Reverse Osmosis is a very good option for removing fluoride
and other contaminants at the Point Of Use (POU). You can
also use certain whole home filters (POE) and inline filters that
specify fluoride removal.
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Answered by Hydro Medix Water Technologies
11250 Old Saint Augustine Rd Ste 15, Jacksonville, FL, 32257, 904230-6393, (Novice: 2 pts.)
Answered 2 months ago.
Report Abuse
Reverse Osmosis Filtration
Activated Alumina Defluoridation Filter
Distillation Filtration (probabyly not good if you are looking for
potable water!)
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Answered by Cookie Central
49 Tolland Road, North Andover, MA, 01845, 978-423-1215,
(Novice: 53 pts.)
Answered 2 months ago.
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FLUORIDE INFORMATION: IS
FLUORIDE GOOD TO HAVE IN
YOUR DRINKING WATER?
Straight Talk about Fluoride
There is a lot of information available about fluoride but the information is also
sometimes conflicting. Some leads us to believe fluoride in drinking water is a
good thing; and some says just the opposite! Even information in clear
opposition claims to have solid scientific backing – how can this be? This
situation led us to ask: How can a person make an informed decision about
whether fluoride is good or bad when everything they hear is so conflicting?
This web site presents the best known, best substantiated and most truthful
information about fluoride.
We are educators, medical and public health practitioners, dentists, parents
and concerned citizens who have thoroughly researched the issues of fluoride
in community water sources. We deeply care about dental health, safe
drinking water, health equity across socio-economic groups and fiscal
responsibility in homes and whole communities.
Many American Communities Want To Retain Fluoride in Their
Drinking Water
There are many American communities that have had fluoridated drinking
water for 50 years or more but recently some oppose having fluoride in
community water, and in some cases have even tried to stop fluoridation! We
believe the public needs current and reliable information to assist them in
making an informed choice regarding this important public health decision,
which could especially affect the health of those in our community who are
most vulnerable to severe dental disease, and who have the least access to
professional preventative and treatment services and who, along with
taxpayers, would wind up paying for costly treatment instead of inexpensive
prevention. Fluoride provides safe dental prevention in a cost effective way to
our most vulnerable citizens. Read on for the truth on Fluoride in drinking
water.
We Support Fluoride in our Community Water based on these
Values
• It Promotes health for all community members even the disadvantaged and
most vulnerable.
• Taking a community-wide and long-term approach to solving problems.
• Using our local and state tax dollars equitably and in a cost effective
manner.
• Preventing disease.
• Making informed choices based on available evidence and its relevance to
our community’s situation.
• Recognizing that public health measures have been of great benefit to the
community, but that they need to meet a high standard of safety and efficacy
and should not constitute an insurmountable burden to those who object to
them for personal reasons.
• Understanding that any policy involves a balance between risk, cost, and
benefit.
• Understanding that there can be no absolute certainty in public health
matters, but that there are reasonable standards of evidence that most of
our community can accept to use in making policy decisions.
The evidence supporting the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of
fluoridation of community water supplies comes from multiple sources
covering 50 years of legitimate research published in peer reviewed journals,
including both long term studies on large populations, recent confirmatory
studies, and comprehensive literature reviews. Adding fluoride to drinking
water is an important element in promotion of dental health along with
education and access to dental care. Our group supports the actions of the
dental Advisory Group in promoting dental health by all practical means.
We have met with the group opposing fluoride in our community water, and
read materials they claim support their cause. Most if not all the material is
not scientifically valid and draws conclusions not supported by evidence or not
statistically significant. Their claims are inflammatory and largely unfounded.
See "The Claims Versus the Facts"
Does Fluoride in your Drinking Water Expose you to Dangerous
Chemicals or Health Risks?
The Environmental Protection Agency and California Department of Health
Services Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management are
responsible for setting and enforcing safety standards for community water
systems. The proposed referendum calls for approval of additives to Arcata
water by the Food and Drug Administration. The Food and Drug
Administration does not oversee drinking water; it would take an act of
Congress to change regulations to allow FDA to regulate water additives. A
small group of people in Arcata (and some other communities across
America) are calling for FDA approval to add fluoride to drinking water. This is
a thinly veiled attempt to tie the issue up in a bureaucratic process that will
cause years of no fluoride in water (which is consistent with their main goal of
keeping fluoride out of community water systems)..
Who Deserves Fluoride in their Drinking Water?
All the citizens of our community – particularly children -- deserve the benefits
of fluoride in their drinking water. People who do not wish to drink fluoridated
water can obtain other water satisfactory to them or can treat city water to
their own personal standards. People who feel they need to severely limit
fluoride intake will need to take further measures to limit their fluoride intake if
they wish.
Fluoride in Drinking Water is a Fiscally Responsible Action
To provide fluoride in drops or pills is much more expensive and requires
each parent to administer thousands of doses, thus providing much less
widespread protection to high-risk children.
High-risk children are also less able to access professional preventative
services like sealants or fluoride office applications. The scientific evidence
shows a benefit of fluoridation to adults and the elderly, not only children. It is
our goal to get accurate information about the safety and effectiveness of
water fluoridation out to the voters of Arcata and encourage fluoride
supporters to speak up and vote for social justice!
I get a lot of e-mail about water fluoridation. It mainly concerns my
2002 article on ways to remove fluoride from water, especially the
part where I state that I am against fluoridation of public drinking
water. I cite links to pro and con references so the reader can make
his or her own decision, but many people want to know how I
arrived at my decision. I'll elaborate my reasoning in a separate
feature, but here's a summary of my reasons:
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Fluoridation of water has not been shown to reduce the
incidence of cavities. Topical fluoride (e.g., toothpastes and
fluoride rinses) has been shown to work. Ingestion of fluoride
has not. If you are aware of any evidence to the contrary, I
would welcome the opportunity to read it and share it with my
readers.
Here today, still here tomorrow. Fluoride doesn't magically
disappear from water once it has been added. Its presence and
accumulation has profound implications for aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems.
Fluoride is poisonous. Relatively low concentrations have been
shown, conclusively, to have detrimental effects on human
development.
It's impossible to control the dose. People drink different
amounts of water, so the fluoride dose cannot be regulated.
It's unethical to force a medication onto people. Even if it was
beneficial (and no one, in two years of asking has been able to
give me a single reference stating that it is), fluoridation isn't
something you get to choose or not choose.
There you have it, in a nutshell. I'll give you facts and figures later.
Very few countries fluoridate water... I hope holdouts like the U.S.
will come around sooner rather than later on this issue.
How to Remove Fluoride from Water | Water Chemistry
Preventing Fluorosis
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com
See More About:
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water chemistry
fluoridation
fluorosis
food chemistry
purification techniques
It's possible to remove fluoride from drinking water, but not every type of water
filter will work.
ballyscanlon, Getty Images
Most people are aware that there is a controversy surrounding
public fluoridation of drinking water. Here is a list of ways to obtain
drinking water without fluoride. In addition, I've listed water
purification methods which do not remove fluoride from water.
Ways to Remove Fluoride from Water
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Reverse Osmosis Filtration
This is used to purify several types of bottled water (not all), so
some bottled waters are unfluoridated. Reverse osmosis systems
are generally unaffordable for personal use.
Activated Alumina Defluoridation Filter
These filters are used in locales where fluorosis is prevalent.
They are relatively expensive (lowest price I saw was $30/filter)
and require frequent replacement, but do offer an option for
home water filtration.
Distillation Filtration
There are commercially available distillation filters that can be
purchased to remove fluoride from water. On a related note:
When looking at bottled water, keep in mind that 'distilled water'
does not imply that a product is suitable for drinking water and
other undesirable impurities may be present.
These Do NOT Remove Fluoride
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Brita, Pur, and most other filters.
Some websites about fluoride removal state otherwise, but I
checked the product descriptions on the companies' websites to
confirm that fluoride is left in the water.
Boiling Water
This will concentrate the fluoride rather than reduce it.
Freezing Water
Freezing water does not affect the concentration of fluoride.
Steps to Reduce Fluoride Exposure
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Don't take fluoride supplements.
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Read labels on bottled beverages.
Unless they are made using distilled or reverse-osmosis water,
they are probably made with fluoridated public water.
Consider using unfluoridated toothpaste.
Avoid drinking black or red tea.
They come from two different types of plants, but both leaves
naturally contain high amounts of fluorine.
Be wary of tinned fish and canned food items.
Fluoride may be used as a preservative.
Avoid black or red rock salt or items containing black or
red rock salt.
Avoid using chewing tobacco.
Avoid long term use of medication that contains
fluorine.
Certain antidepressants and medications for osteoporosis contain
fluorine.
Recent Chemistry Features
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More Water Information
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What I Opposed Public Fluoridation
Can You Drink too much Water?
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Elsewhere on the Web
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It's Not Just About Teeth
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com
See More About:
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fluoridation
water
fluorine
medical chemistry
health
As About's Guide to Chemistry, I usually write articles about how
things work. Even if I have an opinion on a topic, it rarely applies to
these articles. However, I've been outspoken in my stance against
the fluoridation of public drinking water. I get e-mail from people on
both sides of the issue, but most of the letters come from people
wondering why I oppose fluoridation or from people seeking to
make a case against fluoridation in their community. As always, I
encourage you to go to peer-reviewed publications and references.
These studies may be technical and you may need help
understanding them, but it's best to go to the source for important
decisions that affect the policies in your community. Don't take my
word for or against fluoridation. Similarly, don't assume that the
American Dental Association knows more about the topic than you
do. Even if fluoridation is effective (and I don't believe it is), I
oppose it. Whether or not it works to reduce cavities is really a
small part of the issue. My reasons:
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Fluoridation of water has not been shown to reduce the
incidence of cavities. Topical fluoride (e.g., toothpastes and
fluoride rinses) has been shown to work. Ingestion of fluoride
has not. Yes, the incidence of cavities has decreased since
fluoridation has been introduced. However, the incidence of
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cavities has decreased even in areas without fluoridation. Yes,
fluoridation has been shown to slow the eruption of teeth in
children, which could have the effect of reducing cavities from
bottle-feeding. However, there is also evidence that the delayed
eruption is an indicator of damage incurred during tooth
development. Ultimately, the link between ingestion of fluoride
and reduction of cavities is tenuous at best.
Fluoride that we put in water today will still be in water
tomorrow. Fluoride doesn't magically disappear from water once
it has been added. Its presence and accumulation have profound
implications for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It is not a
simple matter to remove the fluoride from water or from the
plants and animals that ingest it.
Fluoride is poisonous. Relatively low concentrations have been
shown, conclusively, to have detrimental effects on human and
animal development.
It's impossible to control the dose. People drink different
amounts of water, so the fluoride dose cannot be regulated.
It's unethical to force a medication onto people. Even if it was
beneficial, fluoridation isn't something you get to choose or not
choose. This is my bottom-line reason for opposing fluoridation.
Ways to Reduce Fluoride Exposure
Easy Steps to Minimize Intake
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com
See More About:
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fluoridation
chemical exposure
medical chemistry
fluoride
fluorosis
Toothpaste isn't the only everyday source of fluoride.
Adam Ciesielski, stock.xchng
If you're looking to reduce your intake of fluorine and fluoride (one
is the element, one is the ion, both are toxic), it may help you to
know what everyday products contain them and what steps you can
take to limit your exposure:
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Don't drink unfiltered public water. Assume it's fluoridated
unless you know otherwise. Most home water filters will not
remove fluoride.
Don't take fluoride supplements.
Try to limit drinking soda because it's generally made with
fluoridated water. Reconstituted fruit juice, beer, and wine also
tend to be made with fluoridated water. Read labels on bottled
beverages and look for water purifed using reverse osmosis or
distillation. If those processes are not specifically named, assume
the water is fluoridated.
( 2 ) Nitrate
Nitrate
For a free brochure containing the information on this page, contact the
nearest DNR office and request publication number WS-001.
Table of contents
1. What is nitrate?
2. What levels of nitrate pose a health risk?
3. Who is affected by nitrates?
4. What can a person do about nitrates in drinking water?
5. How do I know if my well has high nitrate levels?
6. Where can I get more information on nitrates?
What is Nitrate?
Nitrate (NO3-) is a water-soluble molecule made up of nitrogen and oxygen. It
is formed when nitrogen from ammonia or other sources combines with
oxygenated water. Nitrate is a natural constituent of plants and is found in
vegetables at varying levels depending on the amount of fertilizer applied and
on other growing conditions. According to the World Health Organization,
most adults ingest 20-70 milligrams of nitrate- nitrogen per day with most of
this coming from foods like lettuce, celery, beets, and spinach. When foods
containing nitrate are eaten as part of a balanced diet the nitrate exposure is
not thought to be harmful.
Nitrate Levels in Drinking Water
Water naturally contains less than 1 milligram of nitrate-nitrogen per liter and
is not a major source of exposure. Higher levels indicate that the water has
been contaminated. Common sources of nitrate contamination include
fertilizers, animal wastes, septic tanks, municipal sewage treatment systems,
and decaying plant debris.
The ability of nitrate to enter well water depends on the type of soil and
bedrock present, and on the depth and construction of the well. State and
federal laws set the maximum allowable level of nitrate-nitrogen in public
drinking water at 10 milligrams per liter (10 parts per million). These laws
apply to all city and village water supplies and are used as an advisory for
private wells.
Health Effects
Infants who are fed water or formula made with water that is high in nitrate
can develop a condition that doctors call methemoglobinemia. The condition
is also called "blue baby syndrome" because the skin appears blue-gray or
lavender in color. This color change is caused by a lack of oxygen in the
blood.
All infants under six months of age are at risk of nitrate poisoning. Some
babies may be more sensitive than others. Infants suffering from "blue baby
syndrome" need immediate medical care because the condition can lead to
coma and death if it is not treated promptly.
When nursing mothers ingest water that contains nitrate, the amount of nitrate
in breast milk may increase. Although no confirmed cases of "blue-baby
syndrome" have been associated with nitrate in breast milk, it may be
advisable for nursing women to avoid drinking water that contains more than
50 milligrams per liter nitrate-nitrogen.
Some scientific studies have found evidence suggesting that women who
drink nitrate-contaminated water during pregnancy are more likely to have
babies with birth defects. Nitrate ingested by the mother may also lower the
amount of oxygen available to the fetus.
People who have heart or lung disease, certain inherited enzyme defects, or
cancer may be more sensitive to the toxic effects of nitrate than others. In
addition, some experts believe that long-term ingestion of water high in nitrate
may increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
Recommendations
When laboratory tests determine that water contains more than 10 milligrams
per liter nitrate-nitrogen, the following actions are recommended:
1. Do not give the water to infants less than 6 months of age or use the water
to prepare infant formula.
2. Avoid drinking the water on a daily basis during pregnancy.
3. Do not attempt to remove the nitrate by boiling the water. This will only
concentrate the nitrate making levels even higher.
4. Seek medical help immediately if the skin of an infant appears bluish or
gray in color. Sometimes the color change is first noticed around the
mouth, or on the hands and feet.
5. Identify the nitrate source and take action to reduce contamination.
Remedial actions may include reducing fertilizer use, improving manure
handling methods, pumping septic tanks, or upgrading wells.
6. Limit your daily intake if you have chronic health problems that increase
your sensitivity to nitrate, or if you are concerned about scientific
uncertainty regarding the health effects of long-term exposure to nitratecontaminatedwater.
Testing for Nitrate
The only way to determine the nitrate level in water is to have a water sample
tested by a certified laboratory. Public water supplies are tested regularly for
the presence of nitrate. A nitrate test is recommended for all newly
constructed private wells and wells that have not been tested during the past
five years. Testing is also recommended for wells used by pregnant women
and is essential for wells that serve infants under six months of age.
Wells with nitrate-nitrogen levels below five milligrams per liter should be
retested every few years. If the levels are between five and 10 milligrams per
liter, owners should consider testing more often to check for seasonal
changes. Additional testing may also be useful if there are any known sources
of nitrate or if high nitrate levels are detected in nearby wells.
Additional Information
Contact your city/county health department or the Division of Health office in
your region if you would like more information about the health effects of
nitrate.
To find out how to have your well tested for nitrate, contact your county health
department, the Department of Natural Resources statewide office in your
area.
For more information, contact: Margie Damgaard, IS Professional, Public
Water Section
Nitrate in Drinking Water
Guide M-114
Craig Runyan, Extension Water Quality Specialist
College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences New
Mexico State University
This Publication is scheduled to be updated and reissued 9/02.
Nitrate (NO3) is the primary source of nitrogen (N) for plants; it is a nutrient they
cannot live without. Nitrates occur naturally in soil and water. Extensive farming can
rob the soil of its natural nitrogen source, so farmers often add nitrate fertilizers.
Properly managed, nitrogen does not endanger health and can increase crop
production. However, when more nitrogen is added to the soil than plants can use,
excess nitrate can leach into groundwater supplies and contaminate wells. On-site
sewage systems (such as septic tanks and lagoons) also can be a source of nitrate
pollution. Because nitrate is converted to a very toxic substance (nitrite) in the
digestive systems of human infants and some livestock, nitrate-contaminated water is
a serious problem.
How does nitrate affect families?
Human babies are extremely susceptible to acute nitrate poisoning because of certain
bacteria that may live in their digestive system during the first few months of life.
These bacteria change nitrate into toxic nitrite (NO2). The nitrite reacts with
hemoglobin (which carries oxygen to all parts of the body) to form methemoglobin,
which does not carry oxygen. The level of oxygen being carried throughout the body
decreases in proportion to the amount of hemoglobin converted to methemoglobin. As
the oxygen level decreases, the baby is suffocated. This condition is called
methemoglobinemia.
The most obvious symptom of nitrate poisoning is a bluish color of the skin,
particularly around the eyes and mouth. This is called cyanosis. A baby with these
symptoms should be taken to an emergency medical facility immediately. The doctor
will take a blood sample to be sure the baby is not suffering from nitrate poisoning.
The blood sample of an affected baby is a chocolate brown instead of a healthy red.
Nitrate poisoning can be treated, and in most cases the baby makes a full recovery. It
is crucial, however, to deal with the problem immediately, because without treatment
a baby can die.
Around the age of three months, an increase in the amount of hydrochloric acid in a
baby's stomach kills most of the bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrite. By the time a
baby is six months old, its digestive systems should be fully developed, and none of
the nitrate-converting bacteria remain. However, children under one year of age and
pregnant women are at risk for adverse effects. In older children and adults, nitrate is
absorbed and excreted, and methemoglobinemia is no longer a concern.
How does nitrate affect livestock?
Ruminant animals (such as cows and sheep) and infant monogastrics ( such as baby
pigs and chickens) also have nitrate-converting bacteria in their digestive systems. For
this reason, nitrate poisoning affects them the same way it affects human babies.
Because adult monogastrics generally do not have nitrate-converting bacteria, they are
not affected by methemoglobinemia. Horses, however, are an exception. They are
monogastric, but they also have a cecum, which is similar to a rumen. The nitrateconverting bacteria living in the cecum increase the risk of nitrate poisoning.
Livestock are exposed to nitrate in feed as well as in water. Crops harvested after
weather stress (such as drought) are especially likely to have high nitrate contents. To
protect livestock, fodder can be tested for nitrate before being fed. The symptoms of
nitrate poisoning in animals include a bluish or brownish discoloring of nonpigmented
areas (around the mouth and eyes) or mucous membranes, a sluggish, staggering gait,
rapid heartbeat, frequent urination and labored breathing followed by collapse. In
severe cases, convulsion and coma may occur, followed by death one to three hours
after the first signs appear.
A veterinarian should be contacted as soon as any of these symptoms are noticed.
Blood for diagnosis must be drawn while the animal is alive or within two hours after
death. Blood from affected animals will have a chocolate brown color. If the problem
is diagnosed in time, animals can be treated and often fully recover. Pregnant animals
that recover may abort within a few days.
How much nitrate is dangerous?
The federal government has set drinking water quality standards to offer the greatest
protection to infants. The standard of ten milligrams per liter (mg/l) nitrate-nitrogen
has a small margin of safety built into it. Because of this safety factor, some
individuals can drink water exceeding the standard and show no adverse affects.
However, levels above this standard are considered potentially hazardous.
Currently, there is no regulatory drinking water quality standard for livestock.
Researchers suggest a level of 100 mg/l of nitrate-nitrogen. Strong animals may
tolerate higher levels, but this level is designed to protect animals that are unhealthy,
very young, pregnant or on a low-energy diet. Nitrate levels in feed and forage must
also be considered in rations for ruminant animals. For more information see NMSU
Extension Guide M-112, "Water Quality for Livestock and Poultry."
How does nitrate get into the water?
Nitrate contamination occurs when there is more nitrate in the soil than plants can use
and when water can move easily through the soil and underlying rock. The excess
nitrate is carried through the soil into groundwater supplies by irrigation, rainwater,
and snowmelt. This occurs particularly where the soil is sandy, gravely, or shallow
over porous limestone bedrock. Excess nitrate can accumulate in the soil in several
ways.
First, manure and septic system effluent contain both ammonia and organic forms of
nitrogen. Organic nitrogen may be converted to ammonia in the soil. This ammonia,
along with any ammonia fertilizer that is applied, is converted to nitrate by soil
bacteria in a process called nitrification. Nitrification is important because plants can
only use nitrogen in the nitrate form. However, when more ammonia is nitrified than
plants can use, the unused nitrate will accumulate in the soil.
Second, applying more nitrate fertilizer to the soil than a crop can use will build up
high levels of nitrate. Finally, legume plants, such as alfalfa, can take nitrogen out of
the air and put it into the ground through their root nodules. This process is called
nitrogen fixation. Small amounts of nitrate also enter the soil with rain during
electrical storms. Neither process produces contaminating amounts of nitrate on its
own, but both should be taken into consideration when determining how much
fertilizer is needed.
How to tell if water is contaminated with nitrate
Because nitrate is colorless, tasteless, and odorless, water must be chemically tested to
determine if it is contaminated. Many laboratories in New Mexico will test private
water supplies for nitrate. To have your water tested, you must get a sample container
from the laboratory, draw the sample as directed by the lab and get the sample to the
lab as quickly as possible to ensure a reliable test. For information on testing labs in
your area, contact your local county Extension office or local health department.
Accurately determining the nitrate level in a well can be difficult because nitrate
levels vary according to the time of year. For this reason, the best time to test is
during periods of irrigation, high rain fall, or snowmelt when leaching of excess
nitrate into the groundwater is most likely to occur. A water test done in late fall can
be misleading because the well may be temporarily low in nitrate if there have been
no heavy rains.
To protect the health of your family and livestock, annual water tests should also be
made for bacteria, total dissolved solids, and pH.
If your well has been tested and the report shows that the water is contaminated with
high nitrate levels, you must immediately stop feeding it to infants. As alternatives to
contaminated water, you can plan to breast feed, feed formula prepared with bottled
water, or feed pre-mixed infant formula.
How can nitrates be reduced or removed from water?
Nitrate is a very soluble substance, easily dissolved in water and extremely hard to
remove. Treatment for nitrate is, therefore, very complicated and expensive. The three
methods of reducing or removing nitrate are:



demineralization by distillation or reverse osmosis
ion exchange
blending
Demineralization removes nitrate and all other minerals from the water. Distillation is
one of the oldest, most effective types of demineralization. The distilling process has
only three steps:
1. the water is boiled;
2. the resulting steam is caught; and
3. the steam is condensed on a cold surface, turning back into water.
The nitrate and other minerals remain concentrated in the boiling tank.
Reverse osmosis is another way to demineralize water. It reduces but does not remove
all nitrates. In a reverse osmosis system, the water is put under pressure and forced
through a membrane that filters out minerals and nitrate. One-half to two-thirds of the
water remains behind the membrane as rejected water. The yield of treated water to
reject water is related to the amount of pressure applied; the lower the water pressure,
the greater the volume of reject water. Higher-yield systems use water pressures in
excess of 150 psi. The systems that operate using standard household water pressure
(35 to 45 psi) will yield some treated water, but a large amount of untreated water
goes down the drain, and could reduce the efficiency of home septic systems.
Household units are usually small enough to fit under the sink or on a kitchen counter.
Both of these demineralization systems require a lot of energy to operate efficiently
and are high-maintenance systems. They are also low-yield systems that may provide
enough water for a family, but cannot produce the large quantities needed for
livestock.
The second type of water treatment for nitrate contamination is ion exchange. Ion
exchange introduces another substance that trades places with the nitrate. Most often
chloride is exchanged for nitrate. The ion exchange unit is a tank filled with special
resin beads that are charged with chloride. As water containing nitrate flows through
the tank, the resin takes up nitrate in exchange for chloride. In time, all the chloride
will be exchanged for nitrate. The resin can then be recharged by back washing with a
brine solution (sodium chloride) and reused.
Because ion exchange systems can treat large volumes of water, they are more
appropriate than demineralization for treatment of livestock water supplies. There are,
however, some drawbacks to ion exchange systems. First, in addition to exchanging
nitrate, the resin beads will also take up sulfate in exchange for chloride. Therefore, if
sulfates are present in the water supply, the capacity of the resin to take up nitrate is
reduced. Second, the resin may also make the water corrosive. For this reason, the
water must go through a neutralizing system after going through the ion exchange
unit. Finally, backwash brines, which are high in nitrate, must be disposed of properly
so they do not re-contaminate the groundwater supply.
The third and most common way to reduce nitrates is to dilute the nitrate-polluted
water by blending it with water from another source that has low nitrate
concentrations. Blending the two waters produces water that is low in nitrate
concentration. Blended water is not safe for infants but is frequently used for
livestock.
There is no simple way to remove all nitrate from your water. Although it is common
to think of boiling, softening or filtration as a means of purifying water, none of these
methods reduce nitrate contamination. Boiling water is, in fact, the worst thing to do
because it actually concentrates the nitrate. Softening and filtration do nothing at all to
remove nitrate.
How can a water supply be protected from nitrate contamination?
When selecting a new well location, be sure to consider possible sources of
contamination. Generally, the farther water travels through soil, the safer it becomes
as contaminants are diluted or filtered out. Nitrate is an exception. It is not filtered out
of water by the soil, so a new well must be totally isolated from nitrate leaching to
prevent contamination. Because different soils have different filtering abilities,
standards for well depths and for distances between wells and contaminants cannot
guarantee a safe well. The minimum standards governing on-site sewage systems
specified by the New Mexico Environment Department are intended to provide the
minimum distances and standards to protect private groundwater and surface water
supplies.
New and existing wells also need to be protected from surface drainage. Barnyard
surface runoff, for example, can drain directly into an unprotected well and cause
serious contamination. Also, if a well is not properly cased, subsurface drainage can
move down beside the well casing and contaminate groundwater. Abandoned wells
must also be properly sealed to prevent similar groundwater contamination. For more
information on well placement and protection, contact the New Mexico Environment
Department or local Cooperative Extension office. You may also want to request the
Extension publication, New Mexico Farm*A*Syst, Farmstead Assessment System
from NMSU Agricultural Communications, Box 30003, MSC 3AI, Las Cruces, NM
88003, or call (505) 646-3228.
How can nitrogen be managed?
Since nitrate leaches through the soil into the groundwater, the only way to ensure a
safe water supply is to control the application of nitrogen to the surface of the ground.
The key to good nitrogen management is to match the nitrogen application to the
needs of the crop.
Farmers should not overlook the nutrient value of their livestock manure. Manure has
significant nutrient value and should be considered and subtracted from calculations
of fertilizer needs. Manure can reduce fertilizer costs and still provide enough
nitrogen for crops, while leaving little nitrate to leach down into the groundwater.
Manure application practices also can affect the leaching of nitrate into the
groundwater. For instance, if the manure is applied sooner than the crop can use it, a
large portion of the nitrate can be lost by leaching.
To save manure for the best application time, a well-engineered, well-constructed
storage unit should be provided. The storage units must be large enough to contain the
manure without overflowing and must be properly lined to prevent seepage to the
ground-water. Manure management systems for large operation are regulated by state
and federal environmental agencies. For smaller operations, consult the New Mexico
Farm*A*Syst publication or your local Extension agent.
"We've been using this water for years and we're OK."
Water can have nitrate levels that are above the EPA standard and still have no
obvious effect on your family. This is not surprising for a number of reasons.




Methemoglobinemia only affects infants, young monogastrics, and ruminant
animals.
To protect infants, the water quality standard has a small margin of safety.
The symptoms of nitrate poisoning might be confused with those of
respiratory problems or illness such as congenital heart disease. A blood test is
needed to confirm the condition.
Because of the fluctuations in the levels of nitrate from year to year, a safe
water supply may become unsafe.
Remember that nitrates are essential nutrients for plant growth. Only when there is too
much nitrate in the soil does it become a problem in water. Routine water testing is
important to protect the health of both families and animals. If nitrate levels in a water
supply exceed the low-nitrate water must be provided for infants to drink. Nitrogen
management, the only long-term solution to nitrate contamination, requires
consideration of all aspects of nitrogen sources. The problem of nitrate contamination
is not a simple one, but it must be faced to protect families, animals, and the
environment.
Two ways of reporting nitrate concentrations: Know the difference!
When your report on the water test comes back from the lab, the nitrate concentration
can be reported either as nitrate (NO3) or as nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). Be sure you
know which reporting system is being used because the acceptable concentrations of
each are considerably different. If the lab reports its results as nitrate, the drinking
water quality standard is 45 mg/l. If the lab reports its results as nitrate-nitrogen, the
drinking water quality standard is 10 mg/l. A milligram per liter (mg/l) is also equal to
one part per million (ppm). If you are unsure of how to interpret the report, contact the
lab, your local Extension office, or local health department. It is important to check
the lab report carefully because the two systems are frequently interchanged.
How To Filter Nitrates Out of
Drinking Water
How to Test for Nitrates in
Drinking Water
Contributor
By Jessica Felix
eHow Contributing Writer
Article Rating:
(0 Ratings)
It is easy to test for nitrates in drinking water when you know how to do it.
Although you could gather a sample and send it to a lab, it can be just as
accurate and easy to do it at home. With the proper tools anyone can test for
nitrates in drinking water and ensure that the water in any home is safe and
clean. It is crucial for homeowners on a well system to test for nitrates in
drinking water in all wells on the property.

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Email
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Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:



Clean, 14 oz. container
Nitrate test strips
Tap water
1.
Step 1
Run cold tap water for three minutes prior to collecting a sample in the
clean container.
2.
Step 2
Use the clean container to catch a sample of cold water as the tap water
runs. Use the coldest water available from the tap.
3.
Step 3
Dip your nitrate test strip in the water immediately and remove as soon
as saturated.
4.
Step 4
Gently shake off excess water. Read your test strip according to
manufacturer instructions after one minute. In general, a reading over 10
ppm of nitrate chemical compound is considered unacceptable. The test
strip will have a color-coded guide that is easy to read and correlates to
the ppm (parts per million) reading.
5.
Step 5
Test water annually that is on the borderline of being high. Normal water
results can be tested every three years.
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How Does a Green Sand Filter
Work?
Contributor
By Tracy S. Morris
eHow Contributing Writer
Rate:
(0 Ratings)
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What Is a Green Sand Filter?
1.
A green sand filter uses manganese green sand to filter iron, sulfur,
hydrogen and manganese out of household and drinking water. Water
polluted with these materials may stain, smell like rotten eggs, be
discolored, taste bad and possibly be unsafe to drink. Reducing the
impurities in water can help improve the safety, taste and smell of
drinking water.
How Does a Green Sand Filter Work?
2.
A green sand filter contains manganese green sand, which forces
impurities in the water, such as iron, to oxidize. The oxidized impurities
are then trapped in the sand and held there. Typically, a water
purification filter that includes a green sand filter will also include waterpurification and disinfectants.
How Long Will a Green Sand Filter Work?
3.
When the green sand filter has become exhausted, it may be
regenerated through the backwash process with potassium
permagranate. When properly cared for and regularly backwashed, the
green sand filter will last for many years.
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How To Filter Nitrates Out of Drinking Water
While plants need nitrogen to grow, chemical fertilizers often provide more
than the plants can use, and the excess nitrates can enter a well through the
groundwater. Unlike chlorine, nitrates in your drinking water are tasteless and
odorless, but they are potentially lethal to human babies, horses, young
ruminant animals (sheep and cattle), and young pigs and chickens, because
the nitrates in the water interfere with the babies' and animals' ability to
absorb oxygen. That's why it's very important to keep your drinking water free
of nitrates.
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Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:




Home water distiller
Reverse osmosis filter
Ion exchange filter
Bottled water
1.
Step 1
Use a home distillation system to filter nitrates out of drinking water.
Distillers boil the water and collect the steam, which is safe to drink
because nitrates and mineral contaminates stay in the boiling tank.
2.
Step 2
Run tap water through a reverse osmosis filter. These filters use high
pressure to force the water through a thin polyimide membrane, which
collects and blocks the contaminated water and releases clean water.
3.
Step 3
Remove nitrates with an ion exchange filter. Ion exchange filters are the
most efficient, because they don't use much energy and they don't
produce toxic waste water, unlike distillers and reverse osmosis systems.
Ion exchange filters work by adsorption, a chemical process in which
nitrate ions adhere to beads of resin that have been charged with
chloride. The nitrate ions are exchanged for the chloride ions.
4.
Step 4
Dilute the water. A small amount of nitrates is not toxic, so it's possible to
dilute the water with bottled drinking water to reduce the amount of
nitrates present.
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Tips & Warnings


Prevent nitrates from entering your groundwater by replacing chemical
fertilizers with cow or chicken manure, and encourage neighbors to do
the same. These manures naturally contain sufficient nitrates to
support good plant growth, and there is less risk of excess nitrates
running into your well water. Because you can't taste or smell nitrates,
the only way to detect them is through chemical testing. The water
should be tested at different times of year, as the nitrate levels can
vary, and it's especially important to test water in the late spring when
fertilizer runoff from your farm or neighboring farms is most likely to be
present. Your health department or extension service can advise you
on water testing, safe well placement and proper encasing of wells.
If you use distillation or a reverse osmosis system to remove nitrates, it
is important to dispose of the waste water properly to prevent the
nitrates from re-entering the ground water. Do not dump waste down
the drain or in the ground near wells.