What is a potential health concern associated with high levels of nitrates in drinking water?

High levels of nitrates in drinking water are primarily associated with a condition known as "blue baby syndrome," or methemoglobinemia. This condition occurs when nitrates are converted into nitrites in the body, which then interact with hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The nitrites convert hemoglobin into methemoglobin, which is not effective at transporting oxygen. This can lead to a decreased oxygen supply to tissues, especially in infants, resulting in a bluish discoloration of the skin and a host of other complications related to oxygen deprivation.

In infants under six months of age, the digestive system is not fully mature, making them more susceptible to this conversion and its effects. Therefore, monitoring and controlling nitrate levels in drinking water is crucial, particularly in regions where agricultural runoff is common, as this can contribute to elevated nitrate concentrations.

The other health concerns mentioned, while significant in other contexts, are not directly linked to high nitrate levels in drinking water. For example, kidney damage, bone density loss, and liver failure may arise from different environmental toxins or health conditions but not specifically from nitrates in the same way as blue baby syndrome.