Nitrites as pollutants
Nature
Nitrites are found in the soil and formed in the human gut by the action of bacteria on nitrate. In nature is is part of the nitrogen cycle and is rapidly converted to nitrate which is absorbed by plants. In humans it can cause problems. Nitrite combines with haemoglobin preventing the blood from carrying oxygen around the body efficiently. A significant degree of the body may be suffocated from within, a condition called methaemoglobinaemia. This is rare in adults but occurs in babies and small children. Nitrites are used in the preservation of some meats and may also present a cancer risk.
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Related
Value
Reference
SDG
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(E) Emanations of other problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
Fundamental sciences » Inorganic chemical compounds
Societal problems » Pollution
Content quality
Presentable
Language
English
1A4N
E6087
DOCID
11560870
D7NID
134818
Last update
Oct 4, 2020