Nitrate contamination of domestic potable water supplies: a social problem

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Am. J. Prev. Med.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6860065

Holmes, T; Jensen, E L; Conway, J B

Nitrate contamination of potable water supplies is a recognized health hazard. Potentially, the contamination of private drinking water supplies could be a problem in the rural Palouse area of Idaho and Washington. Studies have shown that 12% of the rural population of Whitman County, Washington, may be drinking water containing nitrates in excess of the national standard. Yet there is no organized concern about this potential health hazard among local citizens. After reviewing the literature on nitrate contamination of ground water and discussing nitrate contamination of private potable water supplies in the Palouse, we use a social movement theory of social problems to explain why this situation has not been defined as a public health problem.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Idaho, Moscow (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6860065
• Journal Information: Am. J. Prev. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Prev. Med.; (United States) Vol. 1:1; ISSN AJPME
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CONTAMINATION
DRINKING WATER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FEDERAL REGION X
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IDAHO
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RURAL AREAS
SAFETY STANDARDS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
STANDARDS
USA
WASHINGTON
WATER
WATER POLLUTION
WATER SUPPLY