Fan A M, Willhite C C, Book S A
Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 1987 Jun;7(2):135-48. doi: 10.1016/0273-2300(87)90024-9.
In view of published results of epidemiologic studies which suggested an association between nitrate in drinking water and human malformations, an assessment of the toxicology of nitrates and nitrites in relation to possible adverse effects on reproduction and development was performed. The current water standard for nitrate is based on protection from methemoglobinemia. A review of the animal data failed to provide evidence for teratogenic effects attributable to nitrate or nitrite ingestion. Adverse reproductive effects reported occurred at doses that were about one thousand times and higher than the estimated human intake. Neither nitrate nor nitrite in experimental animals concentrated in the mammary gland or milk. The present assessment concludes that the maximum contaminant level of 45 ppm nitrate ion, or 10 ppm nitrate-nitrogen, adequately protects the very young from nitrate-induced toxicity, both pre- and postnatally.
鉴于已发表的流行病学研究结果表明饮用水中的硝酸盐与人类畸形之间存在关联，因此对硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐的毒理学进行了评估，以确定其对生殖和发育可能产生的不利影响。目前的硝酸盐水质标准是基于预防高铁血红蛋白血症制定的。对动物数据的审查未能提供因摄入硝酸盐或亚硝酸盐而导致致畸作用的证据。所报告的不良生殖影响发生在约比估计的人类摄入量高一千倍及以上的剂量下。实验动物体内的硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐均不会在乳腺或乳汁中浓缩。本次评估得出结论，45 ppm硝酸根离子或10 ppm硝酸盐氮的最大污染物水平能够充分保护婴幼儿在产前和产后免受硝酸盐诱导的毒性影响。
