[Nitrates in drinking water in the Valencia community. Indirect risk of methemoglobinemia in infants].

An analysis is made of the concentration of nitrates in the public drinking water of the Valencia Community (Spain), corresponding to 467 municipalities and representing 99% of the population of the community. Concentration exceeded maximum tolerable levels according to Spanish legislation in 95 towns; of these, the concentrations were over double the maximum value in 32, and in a further 18 municipalities the levels were over 150 mg/l. The consumption of these waters on the part of infants appears to be contraindicated, in view of the risk of meta-hemoglobinemia involved.