Question:
Which ions in drinking water causes a disease 'methemoglobinemia' when they are above permissible level?
Which ions in drinking water causes a disease 'methemoglobinemia' when they are above permissible level?
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Nitrate (NO₃⁻) → nitrite (NO₂⁻) → methemoglobin formation → oxygen deficiency. This chain is the key exam concept.
Updated On: Jun 8, 2026
- \(SO_{4}^{2-} \)
- \(NO_{3}^{-} \)
- \(F^{-} \)
- \(CH_{3}COO^{-} \)
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Methemoglobinemia (also called “blue baby syndrome”) is caused by excess nitrate ions in drinking water, which get converted into nitrite ions in the body and interfere with oxygen transport by hemoglobin.
Step 1: Identify the harmful ion.
Among common drinking water ions, nitrate: \[ NO_3^- \] is known to cause methemoglobinemia when present above permissible limits.
Step 2: Conversion inside the body.
In infants, intestinal bacteria reduce nitrate ions to nitrite ions: \[ NO_3^- \rightarrow NO_2^- \] ---
Step 3: Effect on hemoglobin.
Nitrite oxidizes iron in hemoglobin: \[ Fe^{2+} \rightarrow Fe^{3+} \] This forms methemoglobin, which cannot effectively bind oxygen. ---
Step 4: Health consequence.
Reduced oxygen transport leads to hypoxia and cyanosis (bluish skin coloration), especially in infants. ---
Step 5: Conclusion.
\[ \boxed{NO_3^-} \] ---
Step 1: Identify the harmful ion.
Among common drinking water ions, nitrate: \[ NO_3^- \] is known to cause methemoglobinemia when present above permissible limits.
Step 2: Conversion inside the body.
In infants, intestinal bacteria reduce nitrate ions to nitrite ions: \[ NO_3^- \rightarrow NO_2^- \] ---
Step 3: Effect on hemoglobin.
Nitrite oxidizes iron in hemoglobin: \[ Fe^{2+} \rightarrow Fe^{3+} \] This forms methemoglobin, which cannot effectively bind oxygen. ---
Step 4: Health consequence.
Reduced oxygen transport leads to hypoxia and cyanosis (bluish skin coloration), especially in infants. ---
Step 5: Conclusion.
\[ \boxed{NO_3^-} \] ---
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