Multiple choice

A boy is suffering from blue-baby syndrome due to the formation of non-functional methaemoglobin. Which of the following is responsible for this?

  1. Excess of arsenic concentration in drinking water.

  2. Excess of nitrates in drinking water.

  3. Deficiency of iron in food.

  4. Increased methane content in the atmosphere.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) of nitrates for the safety of drinking water. Nitrate levels at or above this level have been known to cause a potentially fatal blood disorder in, infants under six months of age called methaemoglobinemia or blue-baby syndrome, in which there is a reduction in the oxygen carrying capacity of blood.

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