[Nitrate and nitrite contents of drinking water in some areas of Shanxi Province].

OBJECTIVE

To understand the nitrate and nitrite contents of drinking water in Shanxi Province, China.

METHODS

Water samples were collected from Pingding and Taigu counties and Taiyuan City. The nitrate and nitrite contents were determined following the 'Drinking water hygienic standard-2001'.

RESULTS

The median nitrate content of drinking water was 3.5 mg/L, and the proportion of samples above national hygienic standard for drinking water was 4.0% in study areas. The median nitrite content of well water samples(5.l mg/L) was higher than that of tape water (2.7 mg/L). The median content of nitrite was 0.004 mg/L for all samples, and the median content of spring water was highest (0.017 mg/L) than that of other sources. Conclusion The contents of nitrate and nitrite in drinking water were similar to that reported form other regions. Maternal nitrate exposure from drinking water may not be among the important risk factors of high prevalence of birth defects in Shanxi Province.