Comparison of Nitrate Levels in Raw Water and Finished Water from Historical Monitoring Data on Iowa Municipal Drinking Water Supplies |
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Authors: | Peter J Weyer Brian J Smith Zhen-Fang Feng Jiji R Kantamneni David G Riley |
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Institution: | (1) Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, The University of Iowa, N203 OH, 100 Oakdale Campus, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000, USA;(2) Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa |
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Abstract: | Nitrate contamination of water sources is a concern where large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers are regularly applied to soils.
Ingested nitrate from dietary sources and drinking water can be converted to nitrite and ultimately to N-nitroso compounds,
many of which are known carcinogens. Epidemiologic studies of drinking water nitrate and cancer report mixed findings; a criticism
is the use of nitrate concentrations from retrospective drinking water data to assign exposure levels. Residential point-of-use
nitrate data are scarce; gaps in historical data for municipal supply finished water hamper exposure classification efforts.
We used generalized linear regression models to estimate and compare historical raw water and finished water nitrate levels
(1960s--1990s) in single source Iowa municipal supplies to determine whether raw water monitoring data could supplement finished
water data to improve exposure assessment. Comparison of raw water and finished water samples (same sampling date) showed
a significant difference in nitrate levels in municipalities using rivers; municipalities using other surface water or alluvial
groundwater had no difference in nitrate levels. A regional aggregation of alluvial groundwater municipalities was constructed
based on results from a previous study showing regional differences in nitrate contamination of private wells; results from
this analysis were mixed, dependent upon region and decade. These analyses demonstrate using historical raw water nitrate
monitoring data to supplement finished water data for exposure assessment is appropriate for individual Iowa municipal supplies
using alluvial groundwater, lakes or reservoirs. Using alluvial raw water data on a regional basis is dependent on region
and decade. |
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Keywords: | cancer risk exposure assessment historical nitrate data Iowa municipal water supplies |
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