Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water in Belize
Background. Health issues have been associated with the consumption of high levels of nitrates in drinking water. Rural agricultural communities in Belize play a large role in the economic growth of the country. These communities obtain drinking water directly from the ground and may be susceptible...
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2020-09-01
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doaj-e5cdc3f7a9404180bcb28a6604e404442020-11-25T03:01:12ZengPure EarthJournal of Health and Pollution2156-96142020-09-0110271810.5696/2156-9614-10.27.2009042156-9614-10-27-200904Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water in BelizeDanladi Chiroma Husaini0Andrea Enriquez1Theslyn Arzu2Kelcia Miranda3Denise Mossiah4Crystal Cardinez5Pharmacy Program, Department of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Belize, Belmopan, BelizePharmacy Program, Department of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Belize, Belmopan, BelizePharmacy Program, Department of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Belize, Belmopan, BelizePharmacy Program, Department of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Belize, Belmopan, BelizePharmacy Program, Department of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Belize, Belmopan, BelizePharmacy Program, Department of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Belize, Belmopan, BelizeBackground. Health issues have been associated with the consumption of high levels of nitrates in drinking water. Rural agricultural communities in Belize play a large role in the economic growth of the country. These communities obtain drinking water directly from the ground and may be susceptible to nitrate consumption and at risk of developing diseases associated with nitrates. Objectives. The present study examined nitrate levels in Belize's rural water supply with the aim of assessing its suitability for human and livestock consumption. The study also provides baseline data for monitoring the concentration of nitrates to prevent public health hazards in Belize. Methods. Forty-three (43) water samples from reservoirs, wells, vats, and standpipes were collected from 40 villages in Belize and analyzed for nitrates using the cadmium reduction method. Nitrates were detected with an Orion® AquaMate® 8000 UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 520 nm. The Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute laboratory analyzed all water samples for nitrates. Results. Except for four water samples from four different sites, all analyzed water samples were found to contain nitrate levels below 10 mg/L. Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L were seen in a few samples in the northern part of the country, probably due to agricultural activities in these areas. Conclusions. Belize's rural drinking water contains low levels of nitrates, except for a few villages where the levels exceeded the acceptable limit of 10 mg/L. Higher levels of nitrates detected in a few villages need regular evaluation and monitoring to avoid public health issues as well as prevent harm to livestock. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.https://www.journalhealthpollution.org.pinnacle.allenpress.com/doi/pdf/10.5696/2156-9614-10-27-200904drinking water qualitynitratecontaminationpollutionbelize |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Danladi Chiroma Husaini Andrea Enriquez Theslyn Arzu Kelcia Miranda Denise Mossiah Crystal Cardinez |
spellingShingle |
Danladi Chiroma Husaini Andrea Enriquez Theslyn Arzu Kelcia Miranda Denise Mossiah Crystal Cardinez Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water in Belize Journal of Health and Pollution drinking water quality nitrate contamination pollution belize |
author_facet |
Danladi Chiroma Husaini Andrea Enriquez Theslyn Arzu Kelcia Miranda Denise Mossiah Crystal Cardinez |
author_sort |
Danladi Chiroma Husaini |
title |
Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water in Belize |
title_short |
Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water in Belize |
title_full |
Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water in Belize |
title_fullStr |
Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water in Belize |
title_full_unstemmed |
Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water in Belize |
title_sort |
nitrate levels in rural drinking water in belize |
publisher |
Pure Earth |
series |
Journal of Health and Pollution |
issn |
2156-9614 |
publishDate |
2020-09-01 |
description |
Background. Health issues have been associated with the consumption of high levels of nitrates in drinking water. Rural agricultural communities in Belize play a large role in the economic growth of the country. These communities obtain drinking water directly from the ground and may be susceptible to nitrate consumption and at risk of developing diseases associated with nitrates.
Objectives. The present study examined nitrate levels in Belize's rural water supply with the aim of assessing its suitability for human and livestock consumption. The study also provides baseline data for monitoring the concentration of nitrates to prevent public health hazards in Belize.
Methods. Forty-three (43) water samples from reservoirs, wells, vats, and standpipes were collected from 40 villages in Belize and analyzed for nitrates using the cadmium reduction method. Nitrates were detected with an Orion® AquaMate® 8000 UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 520 nm. The Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute laboratory analyzed all water samples for nitrates.
Results. Except for four water samples from four different sites, all analyzed water samples were found to contain nitrate levels below 10 mg/L. Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L were seen in a few samples in the northern part of the country, probably due to agricultural activities in these areas.
Conclusions. Belize's rural drinking water contains low levels of nitrates, except for a few villages where the levels exceeded the acceptable limit of 10 mg/L. Higher levels of nitrates detected in a few villages need regular evaluation and monitoring to avoid public health issues as well as prevent harm to livestock.
Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests. |
topic |
drinking water quality nitrate contamination pollution belize |
url |
https://www.journalhealthpollution.org.pinnacle.allenpress.com/doi/pdf/10.5696/2156-9614-10-27-200904 |
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