Blue baby syndrome occurs when high nitrate in drinking water is converted to nitrite in the infant’s body, which then reacts with haemoglobin to form methemoglobin. Methemoglobin cannot carry oxygen effectively, causing cyanosis and potentially serious health effects. Infants are particularly vulnerable because their digestive and enzymatic systems are not fully developed. Therefore, excessive nitrate in drinking water is the main contaminant associated with this condition.
Option A:
Option A is correct because it identifies nitrate as the crucial contaminant that can lead to methemoglobinemia, especially when levels exceed safe standards. Many rural areas with intensive fertiliser use face this risk when wells are contaminated.
Option B:
Option B is incorrect since fluoride in excess causes dental and skeletal fluorosis, not blue baby syndrome. Its health effects are different and relate mainly to bones and teeth.
Option C:
Option C is incorrect because calcium hardness is not associated with cyanosis or impaired oxygen transport. Hard water may cause scaling but is not the cause of methemoglobinemia.
Option D:
Option D is incorrect; high dissolved oxygen is generally beneficial for aquatic life and has no link to blue baby syndrome in humans. Oxygen deficiency, not excess, is usually a problem in polluted water.
Comment Your Answer
Please login to comment your answer.
Sign In
Sign Up
Answers commented by others
No answers commented yet. Be the first to comment!