由于地下水中的硝酸盐污染是一种流行病，而且修复地下水的成本很高，因此需要解决硝酸盐对人类健康的风险问题。为了防止高铁血红蛋白血症（一种对亚硝酸盐暴露的急性毒性反应，阻止血液输送氧气），美国环境保护署已将饮用水中硝酸盐的最高污染水平设定为10 mg硝酸盐-N/L。然而，农业地区的地下水在一年中的某些时候超过这一标准是很常见的。硝酸盐摄入与癌症之间的关系尚未得到确凿的证明，但一些证据表明两者之间存在联系。 包括41个参考文献、图表。

Because nitrate contamination of groundwater is pandemic and the costs associated with remediating groundwater are high, the question of risk to human health from nitrate needs to be addressed. In order to prevent methemoglobinemia (an acute toxic response to nitrite exposure that precludes transport of oxygen by the blood), the US Environmental Protection Agency has set the maximum contaminant level for nitrate in drinking water at 10 mg nitrate-N/L. However, it is quite common for groundwater in agricultural areas to exceed this standard at some time during the year. A relationship between nitrate intake and cancer has not been conclusively demonstrated, but some evidence points to a linkage. Includes 41 references, figures.