The imminent issue is whether there have been any detected infant methemoglobinemia (blue baby) cases, and whether the water is disinfected to kill bacteria, and convert nitrite to nitrate. Nitrite is the proximate more toxic form, and if the water is contaminated by bacteria that would cause GI infections, that puts them at greater risk, because the nitrate is more rapidly converted to nitrite when ingested. Many foods also contain nitrate (e.g. spinach) and nitrite (cured meats). The other mentioned effects are much more speculative.
Published by Joseph Cotruvo, President at Joseph Cotruvo & Associates, Water , Environment and Public Health
The imminent issue is whether there have been any detected infant methemoglobinemia (blue baby) cases, and whether the water is disinfected to kill bacteria, and convert nitrite to nitrate. Nitrite is the proximate more toxic form, and if the water is contaminated by bacteria that would cause GI infections, that puts them at greater risk, because the nitrate is more rapidly converted to nitrite when ingested. Many foods also contain nitrate (e.g. spinach) and nitrite (cured meats). The other mentioned effects are much more speculative.