ABSTRACT
Nitrates are causing considerable concern among environmentalists and toxicologists (17,20,21). Nitrates, along with phosphates and several other ions, persist in the environment for long periods. Nitrates are being used with increasing frequency as synthetic nitrogen-gassed fertilizers become more popular. They are used in food production and processing to prevent food spoilage and are essential starting products and components or intermediate products formed during the manufacture of thousands of different chemicals and drugs. Animal waste products are also rich in nitrates.
