The cultivation and production of food for man?s consumption has been improved through different technologies. The development of fertilizers to boost food production as well as the use of pesticides and herbicides to curb pest and weed infestations are one of the greatest breakthroughs.

However, In developing countries, little attention is paid to the regulation of  the usage of these chemicals and fertilizers to conform to acceptable standards. This has led to the pollution of adjacent groundwaters in areas where they have prominent use.

Methaemoglobinemia: a disease mostly affecting Infants, who may seem healthy, but show signs of blueness around the mouth, hands, and feet, hence the common name ?blue baby syndrome?. 

These children may also have trouble breathing as well as vomiting and diarrhoea. In extreme cases, there is marked lethargy, an increase in the production of saliva, loss of consciousness and seizures. Some cases may be fatal and leading to death.

According to World Health Organisation on water sanitation and health, Methaemoglobinaemia is caused by the decreased ability of blood to carry vital oxygen around the body. One of the most common causes is nitrate in drinking water. It is most important in bottle fed infants and water from wells in rural areas is of special concern. Controlling nitrate levels in drinking water sources to below around 50mg/litre is an effective preventive measure.

The disease is majorly caused by the contamination of groundwater by leaching of nitrate generated from fertilizer and chemicals used in agricultural lands, waste dumps or pit latrine. Research has related the syndrome to nitrate concentration in drinking water of areas with intense farming and agrochemical practices or where nitrate is naturally occurring in abundance.

The Pediatrician Environmental Health Sanitation Units (PEHSU), University of Washington, has listed these tips to reduce exposure and risk of contamination.

 Use water from public water supplies, water that has been tested and approved, or bottled water.

 Test your well water for nitrates to ensure it is safe to drink.

 Do not use nitrate-contaminated well water to make baby formula or to make baby food.

 Do not let your baby drink nitrate-contaminated water.

 If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, do not drink nitrate-contaminated well water.

 Breastfeeding is a safe practice even if the mother drinks water contaminated with nitrates.