Hyderabad: Besides fluoride, analysis of groundwater samples from different parts of the city by the Central Groundwater Board also found high nitrate contents.
The high nitrate (NO3) content was mainly due to the lack of drainage system and the age-old septic tanks.
Damodhar Rao, regional director, Central Groundwater Board, said, “Highest nitrate contents were found mainly in semi-urban areas where the drainage system is either poor or nonexistent and also in areas which have old septic tank systems.”
Sub urban areas like Miyapur, Yapral, Malkaram, Jawaharnagar, etc. had concentration of NO3 beyond permissible limits along with urban areas like Charminar, Alwal, Chandrayangutta, Saifabad, Hussainsagar etc.
High nitrate concentrations were found in and around industrial areas, residential areas adjoining Industrial areas like Patancheru, Jeedimetla and IDA Uppal.
“High nitrate levels in water can cause methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome, a condition found especially in infants under six months.” said H. Kishan, a senior doctor, at Apollo hospital.
Nitrite is absorbed in the blood, and hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying component of blood) is converted to methemoglobin, which does not carry oxygen efficiently.
Pregnant women, adults with reduced stomach acidity, and people deficient in the enzyme that changes methemoglobin back to normal hemoglobin are all susceptible to nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia, said medical experts.
