Question

The disease Methaemoglobinaemia is caused when drinking water supply contains high concentration of

• A. Fluoride
• B. Iron
• C. Chloride
• D. Nitrate

Hint:

Avoid nitrate levels above 10 mg/L in drinking water to prevent Methaemoglobinaemia, particularly in infants

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Methaemoglobinaemia, also known as ”blue baby syndrome,” occurs when high concentrations of nitrate (\(NO^−_ 3\)) in drinking water are reduced to nitrite (\(NO^−_2\)) in the body. Nitrite reacts with haemoglobin, forming methaemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen effectively