[Health survey of nitrate load in preschool institutions]

Consumption of nitrates with plant food, milk and water was studied in pre-schoolchildren aged 4-6 years going to pre-school institutions. Contents of nitrates were higher than maximum permissible level in 25.3% of food samples. It was shown that most significant consumption of nitrates was at the expense of cabbage (1.9-2.4 mg/kg of body mass) and beetroot (1.5-2.0 mg/kg). Taking into account the nitrate levels in water and milk a daily consumption of nitrates in preschool children was higher than daily permissible level.