Big Berkey Water Filters

Since the 1950’s, farmland (and more recently lawns) have been soaked in nitrogen rich fertilizers. When these fertilizers leach into the surrounding natural water systems, harmful contamination results, and ultimately our drinking water is affected. If you are at risk, you have the ability to protect yourself with a nitrate water filter.

Though our bodies do not need nitrogen in this gaseous form, plants that we eat, do. In fact, all living systems need nitrogen in some form since the nitrogen is used to build many essential components such as proteins, DNA, RNA, and vitamins, as well as hormones and enzymes. The plants we eat use simple nitrogen such as ammonium nitrate and make complex nitrates such as amino acids and nucleic acids. This latter form of nitrogen we can use. Plants work as ‘mediators’ to take unusable nitrogen and convert it to a usable form for us. However, this also means that some forms of nitrogen that is good for plants can be poison to us.

Nitrate Pollution From Fertilizers

You have no doubt noticed three numbers on a bag of fertilizer such as 20-5-10. These numbers relate the percent of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the bag. This form of nitrogen is great for plants, but when it enters ground water or runs off into streams and rivers, it throws the surrounding ecosystems out of balance and becomes detrimental. Many times this results in the complete destruction of an ecosystem as in the case of large portions of the Chesapeake Bay.

Nitrogen fertilizers are not the only sources of nitrate pollution in water. Nitrogen rich manure used as fertilizer also pollutes water sources. In addition, nitrate-containing wastes are produced by many industrial processes including paper and munitions manufacturing. Burning of fossil fuels in power plants and cars, SUVs and all internal combustion engines results in the production of nitric acid and ammonia as air pollution. This air pollution eventually can enter our waterways when it takes the form of acid rain and falls back to the earth.

Nitrate Pollution From Fertilizers

Health Effects From Nitrates In Drinking Water

Methemologlobinemia, also called “blue baby,� is a serious problem caused largely by high nitrate levels in drinking water. These high nitrate levels interrupt the normal body processes of some infants, especially those under six months of age. Nitrate becomes toxic when it is reduced to a nitrite, a process that can occur in the stomach or in the saliva of the infant. Babies are especially susceptible because their stomach juices are weaker and therefore are more likely to permit the production of nitrate-reducing bacteria in their stomachs.

Nitrite in the blood combines with hemoglobin to form methemoglobin. This reduces the capability of the blood to carry oxygen around the body. The result is the “blue� condition of the baby’s skin. The blue coloring in the skin means the infant is being asphyxiated because oxygen cannot be transported by the blood. If it is observed, medical help should be sought immediately.

Boiling the water will not reduce the nitrate concentration; in fact, it actually increases the concentration by evaporating the water and thus concentrating the pollutants. Water that is high in nitrates should not be used for preparing infant formula or any food that could be consumed by a baby. Though fatalities are rare, methemoglobinemia can insidiously show no symptoms while it is affecting child or animal development.

A Nitrate Water Filter For Protection

According to the EPA, bacteria and nitrates are the only two water pollutants they believe cause an immediate threat to health. If you feel you are prone to exposure, purchasing a nitrate test kit is recommended, especially if you and your family rely on untreated water for drinking and cooking. Farm well water should be tested and, if necessary, run through a water filter prior to ingestion or bathing.

The good news is that the majority of nitrates and nitrites can be significantly reduced from drinking and cooking water simply by utilizing a nitrate water filter such as the Berkey water filter. Even if you don’t think there is an imminent problem of nitrates in your water source, it is still wise to consider filtering your drinking water to ensure you are providing the cleanest and healthiest water for you and your family.