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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Nitrate
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1992-09-01
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Any salt of nitric acid, containing the NO3^-
ion. Nitrates of various kinds are used in
explosives, in the chemical industry, in
curing meat (see nitre), and as inorganic
fertilizers. Nitrates in the soil, whether
naturally occurring or from inorganic or
organic fertilizers, can be used by plants to
make proteins and nucleic acids. Being
soluble in water, nitrates are leached out by
rain into streams and reservoirs. High levels
are now found in drinking water in arable
areas. These are harmful to newborn babies,
and it is possible that they contribute to
stomach cancer, although the evidence for
this is unproven. The UK current standard is
100 milligrams per litre, double the EC
limits to be implemented by 1993.