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Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water in Belize
Danladi Chiroma Husaini1, Andrea Enriquez1, Theslyn Arzu1
1Pharmacy Program, Department of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Belize, Belmopan, Belize.
Journal of Health & Pollution
|September 3, 2020
Summary
Most rural drinking water in Belize has low nitrate levels, below the 10 mg/L limit. A few northern villages exceeded this, requiring monitoring to protect public health and livestock from potential nitrate-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Water Quality Analysis
Background:
- High nitrate levels in drinking water are linked to health issues.
- Rural agricultural communities in Belize rely on groundwater, posing a risk of nitrate exposure.
- Assessing nitrate contamination is crucial for public health in these communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate nitrate concentrations in Belize's rural water supply.
- To determine the suitability of water for human and livestock consumption.
- To establish baseline data for nitrate monitoring and prevent health hazards.
Main Methods:
- Collected 43 water samples from various sources across 40 Belizean villages.
- Analyzed samples for nitrates using the cadmium reduction method.
- Utilized a UV-Vis spectrophotometer for nitrate detection at 520 nm.
Main Results:
- Nearly all water samples showed nitrate levels below 10 mg/L.
- A few samples in northern Belize exceeded the 10 mg/L threshold.
- Elevated nitrates in some areas correlate with agricultural activities.
Conclusions:
- Belize's rural drinking water is generally low in nitrates.
- Specific villages require ongoing nitrate monitoring due to levels exceeding the acceptable limit.
- Regular evaluation is necessary to prevent public health issues and protect livestock.
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