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Cited by 134Water Treatment and DisinfectionWater Quality and Resources StudiesWater Quality and Pollution Assessment

Continuing importance of nitrate contamination of groundwater and wells in rural areas

Johnson, Carl J., Kross, Burton C.·1990·American Journal of Industrial Medicine
DOI 10.1002/ajim.4700180416
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Abstract

The contamination of groundwater and rural drinking water supplies by nitrates from livestock and human excrement, other organic waste, or chemical fertilizers is a potential hazard throughout the world. Infant illness and death from nitrate-induced methemoglobinemia is probably often misdiagnosed, perhaps as sudden infant death syndrome, and certainly contributes to the national infant death rate statistics. A 1950 report listed 144 cases of infant methemoglobinemia with 14 deaths in one 30-month period in Minnesota. Infant deaths resulting from misdiagnosis of this preventable, treatable intoxication were still occurring as recently as 1986 in South Dakota. In this state, about 39% of dug or bored wells were unsafe due to high nitrate content, compared with 22% of drilled wells and 16% of driven wells. Properly constructed wells more than 30 m deep are more likely to be safe. Groundwater concentrations of nitrate may be unsafe for consumption, and standards are needed to regulate such contamination. Such standards could serve as guidelines and could be enforceable in the case of water systems dependent on wells.

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Crossref · 10.1002/ajim.4700180416

Cites

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  • Intake of nitrite from environmental sources occurs through contaminated ground water, commonly due to fertilizers, livestock and human excreta, which pose a potential hazard to health.

    “Intake of nitrite from environmental sources also occurs through contaminated ground water, commonly due to fertilizers, livestock and human excreta, which pose a potential hazard to health [59, 65].”

    From Inorganic nitrite therapy: historical perspective and future directions (2011) · cites this paper as [65]

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Authors
Johnson, C. J., & Kross, B. C.
Affiliations
University of Iowa (US)
Corresponding author
Kross, Burton C.
Venue
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1990-01
Volume
18
Issue
4
Pages
449-456
ISSN
  • 0271-3586 (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-0274
DOI
10.1002/ajim.4700180416
OpenAlex
W2155174937
Cited by
134
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 6
FWCI
1.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 6227 d)
Locations
  • American Journal of Industrial Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Water Treatment and Disinfection
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Water Quality and Resources Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Water Quality and Pollution Assessment
Keywords
nitrate contamination, groundwater, rural drinking water, wells, methemoglobinemia, infant mortality, sudden infant death syndrome, livestock manure, fertilizer runoff, drinking water standards, water quality regulation
MeSH terms
Agriculture, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Methemoglobinemia, Nitrates, Rural Population, Water Pollution, Chemical, Water Supply

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