Nitrate
Nitrate Contamination and Blue-Baby Syndrome
Blue-Baby Syndrome, medically known as infant methemoglobinemia, is a condition primarily affecting infants. It is directly linked to the contamination of drinking water with high levels of specific chemical compounds.
Cause of Blue-Baby Syndrome
The primary cause is the presence of excessive Nitrate ($NO_3^-$) in drinking water sources.
- Nitrate is converted into Nitrite ($NO_2^-$) by bacteria in the infant's digestive system.
- Nitrites interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
- They oxidize the iron in hemoglobin from the ferrous state (Fe$^{2+}$) to the ferric state (Fe$^{3+}$), forming methemoglobin.
- Methemoglobin cannot effectively bind and transport oxygen to the body's tissues.
- This oxygen deficiency leads to cyanosis, giving the infant's skin a bluish appearance.
Therefore, contamination of drinking water by Nitrate is the cause of Blue-Baby Syndrome.
Important Questions from Impact of Pollutants on Human Health
Which of the following pollutants is included in the Air Quality Index in India?
Blue-baby syndrome can happen due to the excess of which component in the water?
Match List I with List II
List I
List II
Emitted Pollutants
Environmental Impact
A. Carbon dioxide
I. Formation of acid rain
B. Carbon monoxide
II. Toxic and are carcinogenic
C. Nitrogen oxides
III. Toxic and can cause
respiratory diseases
D. Benzene and
hydrocarbon
IV. Contribution to global warming
as a Greenhouse gas
Choose the correct answer from the option given below:
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Dioxins and furans are highly toxic substances produced mainly during incineration of municipal solid waste, hazardous and medical wastes.
Statement II: Dioxins and furans play a crucial role in photochemical smog formation.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R) :
Assertion (A): Carbon monoxide (CO) is a serious asphyxiant even a short exposure may have fatal health issues.
Reason (R): Hemoglobin present in the blood has a greater affinity towards carbon monoxide than oxygen.In the light of the above statements choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
