Question

Methaemoglobinaemia results from ______.

Options

• drinking underground water contaminated with nitrates

• excessive use of detergents which contain phosphates

• excessive acid rains

• drinking surface water containing PCB compound

Answer 1

Methaemoglobinaemia results from drinking underground water contaminated with nitrates.

Explanation:

Nitrate fertilizers used on soil can enter groundwater, making the water unfit for drinking. Consumption of nitrate-contaminated water can cause methaemoglobinaemia, a condition where nitrites convert hemoglobin into methaemoglobin, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen. This leads to symptoms such as blue coloration of the skin (especially in infants), respiratory damage, and vascular system problems.