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What are Nitrates?

Adam Hill
Adam Hill

Nitrates are chemical compounds which, among other defining characteristics, contain the polyatomic ion nitrate, which is composed of one atom of nitrogen and three atoms of oxygen, together having a single net negative charge. Nitrates are commonly seen in the study of inorganic chemistry as well as organic chemistry. In medicine, nitrates are medications used to treat heart conditions such as angina, and have been in use for over a century.

Many nitrates can be harmful to a person's health, while others can have a more or less neutral effect. Some are actually used to prolong life in emergency medical conditions. If nitrate levels in the blood rise too high, this may in some cases lead to a lack of oxygen absorption by the body. The nitrate ion contains oxygen, and when this part of it bonds with hemoglobin in blood cells, it keeps elemental oxygen from doing so, reducing the ability of the blood as whole to carry oxygen. This condition sometimes presents in newborns and infants younger than six months. Environmental sources of these types of nitrates can include agricultural runoff containing fertilizer and industrial waste water.

Nitrates are used in inorganic chemistry and in medicine.
Nitrates are used in inorganic chemistry and in medicine.

A few types of nitrates, such as sodium nitrate, are used in food products as preservatives. Their most common use is in meat products to preserve color and to inhibit the growth of the bacteria which can lead to botulism. It is not known for sure if these chemicals pose any hazard in the levels at which they are normally ingested, and they are generally considered to be safe.

Nitrogen bonds with oxygen atoms to form a nitrate.
Nitrogen bonds with oxygen atoms to form a nitrate.

The medical profession has used nitrates at least since 1870 to treat chest pain associated with low oxygen supply to the heart. This condition, known as angina, can be relieved by taking nitrates either orally or by intravenous injection, because it has the effect of widening the blood vessels to allow more blood, and therefore more oxygen, to reach tissues. They may also be prescribed during a heart attack for the same purpose, or in the context of a surgery such as angioplasty.

Nitrates are commonly used to treat certain heart conditions.
Nitrates are commonly used to treat certain heart conditions.

Glyceryl trinitrate, an alternate name for nitroglycerin, has been one of the longest-used nitrates for the treatment of chest pain. It was discovered in 1847, and it was known around that time that handling the chemical for extended periods of time could cause severe headaches. This indicated that it must have been widening blood vessels somehow, and a few decades later it began to be used in small doses to treat heart conditions. The headaches, it turned out, were the result of overexposure, and did not happen when the chemical was administered medically in proper doses.

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Discussion Comments

anon108260

Help. I work in a pub and have a person coming in for dinner who is allergic to nitrates, sulfphites and cumin. Is there anything this person can eat?

dill1971

@snowywinter: Yes, there are nitrates in drinking water but at very low levels. We get most of our intake of nitrates from food rather than water. Veggies like spinach, lettuce, beets and carrots contain high amounts of nitrate.

Even though the level of nitrate is very low in water, higher levels are sometimes found. That can be dangerous for infants. They can develop methemologlobinemi, also known as “blue baby”. The high nitrate levels can interrupt normal body processes in some infants. Nitrate can become toxic when it is reduced to nitrite. Infants are especially susceptible.

SnowyWinter

Aren't there nitrates in drinking water?

medicchristy

@anon68971: Yes, there is treatment available for methemoglobinemia. There is a medication called methylene blue that is given. It should be noted that methylene blue can be dangerous for patients who have or may be at risk for having G6PD deficiency (a blood disorder).

Methemoglobinemia is also treated with ascorbic acid. The ascorbic acid helps to reduce the levels of methemoglobin.

Other treatments include exchange transfusions and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

anon68971

is there treatment for methemoglobinemia? just asking

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    • Nitrates are used in inorganic chemistry and in medicine.
      By: Bert Folsom
      Nitrates are used in inorganic chemistry and in medicine.
    • Nitrogen bonds with oxygen atoms to form a nitrate.
      By: Gman73
      Nitrogen bonds with oxygen atoms to form a nitrate.
    • Nitrates are commonly used to treat certain heart conditions.
      By: digitex
      Nitrates are commonly used to treat certain heart conditions.
    • Nitrates may be prescribed in the context of a surgery such as angioplasty.
      By: designua
      Nitrates may be prescribed in the context of a surgery such as angioplasty.
    • Nitrates have been used since at least 1870 to treat chest pain.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Nitrates have been used since at least 1870 to treat chest pain.
    • Handling glyceryl trinitrate for extended periods of time may cause severe headaches.
      By: kmiragaya
      Handling glyceryl trinitrate for extended periods of time may cause severe headaches.
    • Nitrates can sometimes inhibit the absorption of oxygen by the blood in infants younger than six months.
      By: jamdesign
      Nitrates can sometimes inhibit the absorption of oxygen by the blood in infants younger than six months.
    • Neonatology focuses primarily on the medical needs of newborn babies.
      By: cantor pannatto
      Neonatology focuses primarily on the medical needs of newborn babies.