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What Are the Dangers of Sodium Nitrate?

Sodium nitrate, a crystalline salt sometimes referred to as a type of saltpeter, occurs in nature. Chile mined the largest deposit until recently. Now chemical companies produce most of it for use in curing meat, for fertilizer and as an oxidizing agent. Food processors use it to preserve meats like bacon, ham and other lunch meats. It is an approved food additive, but there are some dangers.

  1. Cardiovascular System

    • Scorecard, a pollution information site, includes sodium nitrate in its list of suspected cardiovascular toxicants. Exposure can contribute to many conditions, including high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and atypical heartbeat.

    Stomach Cancer

    • Sodium nitrate, in meat, forms nitrosamines when cooked over high heat. Nitrosamines also form when sodium nitrate reacts to food proteins in the stomach. These may cause cancer in animals, although studies are inconclusive regarding cancer in humans. Consequently, the FDA permits its use, but limits the amount used to less than 500 parts per million in the finished product.

    Warning for Pregnant Women

    • Even though sodium nitrate may protect against bacterial contamination, the medical community has urged pregnant women to avoid eating cured meats, if possible. Cured foods add high amounts of sodium to the diet. The excess sodium often causes unwanted water retention.

    Warning for Infants

    • Nitrates often contaminate well water, especially in rural areas. Contaminated water, when used for preparing infant formula or given to an infant, will form nitrosamines in the infant's stomach when it reacts to food proteins. Infants do not have the necessary enzymes to process it. This leads to a condition called methemoglobinemia. This potentially serious condition may even lead to death. As the child ages, he develops more stomach acid and enzymes, reducing the danger. According the American Academy of Pediatrics, this does not seem to be a problem for breastfed infants.

    Effect on Farm Animals

    • High levels of nitrates in livestock feed and water have been reported to result in increased stillbirth, slow weight gain, abortions and death. Purdue University states that the high levels may be there because of excessive amounts of nitrates accumulated in the plants that they eat. Use of manure as fertilizer adds to the nitrates in the plants and pollutes the water that they drink.

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