Residents in Oakley, Kansas, have been warned not to give tap water to children 6 months old or under due to elevated levels of nitrate that were found in the city's local water supply.
In a notice published Friday, city officials said that a water sample collected on July 15 from a well showed that the water had a nitrate level of 11 mg/L. Officials said in the handout that the well in question was not in use by the city at the time, but that the level of nitrate was above the federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg/L.
The notice added that nitrate in drinking water "is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old." While the warning is in place, Oakley residents are advised to use bottled water when preparing formula for any other liquids for infants. Adults and children over 6 months can continue to drink tap water at this time.
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"Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die," read the city's handout.
Infants are at a higher risk of being impacted by excess nitrate levels because their gastrointestinal system is still developing after birth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Oakley officials also warned that residents who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have "specific health concerns" may want to consult their doctor about whether it is safe to consume tap water under the warning.
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Symptoms of nitrate poisoning in infants can include shortness of breath or blue baby syndrome, a rare condition that can cause a child's skin to look bluish due to a lack of oxygen. Oakley's handout said that such symptoms can "develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days."
"If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately," city officials added.
Residents were also advised to not boil tap water before consumption. "Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated," read the notice, "because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.
Bottled water will be available for residents with infants under 6 months old, as well as for those pregnant or nursing. Bottled water will also be provided to those who have a note from their doctor stating that they should avoid consuming excess amounts of nitrates due to a health condition.
Residents will be updated when water sample testing shows that the level of nitrates has dropped below 10 mg/L. Bottled water will continue to be provided by the city for two weeks following the testing, Oakley officials said.
Newsweek sent an email to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for additional information.
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Kaitlin Lewis is a Newsweek reporter on the Night Team based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her focus is reporting on national ... Read more
