Different forms of mineral nitrogen in drinking water and the Balkan nephropathy.

Abstract

In a village affected by the endemic Balkan nephropathy (BN), concentrations of different forms of nitrogen in well-water were examined. While the amounts of exchangeable ammonium and nitrate were mostly within permissible limits, nitrite content was often extremely high. The increased nitrite concentration and diminished nitrate/nitrite ratio were found in 9 (out of 10) wells used by households with BN affected members, and in 6 (out of 10) wells used by BN-free house-holds. The differences are not statistically significant, but this clue should be followed. Though not likely to be a direct cause of BN, these parameters may well serve as indicators of factors causally related to the disease.