Toxicity Of Sodium Nitrite

Consuming large amounts of sodium nitrite can be toxic, causing a number of health problems. In light of this, you should try to avoid sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and other nitrites and nitrates when possible. However, due to contaminated water and nitrite presence in vegetables and cured meats, you may have difficulty avoiding them altogether.

Sources

Nitrites are included in fertilizers, which can contaminate the water you drink, especially if you drink well water. Many vegetables, especially broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, collard greens and root vegetables, also contain nitrites. Manufacturers of cured meats, including ham, bacon, hot dogs and corned beef, use sodium nitrate as a preservative and to prevent contamination with botulism.

Sodium Nitrite Risk

High intakes of sodium nitrite may cause developmental and reproductive toxicity problems, including anemia, pre-eclampsia, miscarriage and childhood cancers. If you are exposed to too much sodium nitrite, you may develop acute acquired methemoglobinemia, which is a condition where the hemoglobin can no longer carry oxygen. Symptoms include cyanosis from lack of oxygen, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, lethargy, convulsions and coma.

Nitrosamines Risk

Sodium nitrite itself does not cause cancer, but it can combine with amines created during protein breakdown to form nitrosamines, which may increase your risk for certain types of cancer. More nitrosamines are created when bacon is cooked at high temperatures than when low temperatures or a microwave are used to cook bacon, notes the University of Minnesota Extension.

Considerations

Pregnant women and infants are more at risk for sodium nitrite toxicity. If your drinking water is contaminated, regular water treatments or filters will not remove sodium nitrite. This requires special equipment that is relatively expensive. You consume more sodium nitrite from vegetables than from cured meats, according to the University of Minnesota Extension, but cured meats can be easier to avoid and don't have the potential health benefits of vegetables, so eliminating these meats from your diet may be a good way to lower your nitrite consumption.