An epidemiological survey to assess the effect of well-water nitrates on infant health at Rietfontein in the northern Cape Province, South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorHesseling P.B.
dc.contributor.authorToens P.D.
dc.contributor.authorVisser H.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T16:18:05Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T16:18:05Z
dc.date.issued1991
dc.description.abstractWhen chemical analysis of water from different boreholes in the Rietfontein area was performed to locate a suitable central water supply for domestic and sewerage purposes, a nitrogen (N) level in excess of 10 mg l-1 in some samples raised concern about the risk for methaemoglobinaemia and health in infants. Every child aged below 1 yr in Rietfontein village (43 infants) was examined physically and blood was obtained for a methaemoglobin assay and a full blood count. The mothers were questioned on their obstetrical history, health of other siblings and dietary pattern of the infant. Every patient was visited to obtain a household borehole water sample for partial chemical analysis. A contour map of nitrate as N in mg l-1 was constructed. The present water quality criteria of the Department of National Health and Population Development have maximum values for three levels of risk: no risk (ideal), insignificant risk (the practical upper limit) and low risk (the maximum limit). For nitrates the limits are 6, 10 and 20mg l-1. Under conditions such as those prevailing at Rietfontein, applying the maximum level of 20mg l-1 will result in better utilization of this scarce resource without appreciable risk to the community. -from Authors
dc.identifier.citationSouth African Journal of Science
dc.identifier.citation87
dc.identifier.citation7
dc.identifier.issn00382353
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/14506
dc.subjectepidemiology
dc.subjecthealth impact
dc.subjectnitrate pollution
dc.subjectresources utilisation
dc.subjectsurvey data
dc.subjectwater quality
dc.subjectSouth Africa, Cape Province, Rietfontein
dc.titleAn epidemiological survey to assess the effect of well-water nitrates on infant health at Rietfontein in the northern Cape Province, South Africa
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