Nitrite levels in the fresh water resources of Ankara and investigation of its relationship to methemoglobin levels in volunteers

Nitrite pollution in potable fresh water resources within the city of Ankara was investigated with possible relationship to methemoglobin levels in babies. Water samples consisted of 10 well samples and 50 municipal tap water from different districts of Ankara. Nitrite determinations were made spectrophotometricaliy by using the zirconyl chloride method. Tap water samples had no nitrite; but 2 well samples had nitrite levels of 0.6537 mg/l and 0.075 mg/l. These values are above the levels set by the Turkish Natonal Legislation (Anonymous, 1988). Methemoglobin levels in the hemolysate were determined in the control group babies (n=10). These were healthy babies admitted for routine check-up at Gazi University Pediatrics Clinic. Experimental group consisted of 18 babies living in the close vicinity of the above mentioned wells. This group also contended babies from Gölbaşı town, ^SEw**1 where well water use was widespread before the infrastructure was completed. The methemoglobin levels of the control group and experimental group were not statistically significant using Student's t-test. Science Code : 401.01.05 Keywords : Water, pollution, nitrite, spectrophotometric metod, methemoglobin.