Question 1

What is the EPA limit for nitrite in drinking water?

Accepted Answer

The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for nitrite is 1 ppm. Public water systems must keep nitrite below this level.

Question 2

What are the health effects of nitrite in drinking water?

Accepted Answer

Nitrite is more acutely toxic than nitrate because it directly converts hemoglobin to methemoglobin, reducing the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. The EPA MCL of 1 ppm is ten times lower than nitrate's MCL, reflecting this higher toxicity.

Question 3

Where does nitrite in drinking water come from?

Accepted Answer

Nitrite in drinking water comes from the same sources as nitrate but at lower concentrations because nitrite is chemically unstable and rapidly converts to nitrate in oxygenated environments. Agricultural fertilizer runoff, animal waste fro

Question 4

How do I remove nitrite from my drinking water?

Accepted Answer

Nitrite is effectively removed by: Reverse Osmosis, Anion Exchange, Distillation. Look for NSF-certified filters that explicitly list nitrite reduction.

Nitrite in Drinking Water - EPA MCL, Health Effects & Removal