Prepare for the Certificate in Public Health Inspection exam. Utilize our flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Ensure your success with our comprehensive resources!

Multiple Choice

Which statement about nitrates in drinking water is true?

Nitrates in drinking water are dissolved ions, so they don’t go away when you boil. Boiling removes water as steam, but the nitrate ions stay in the liquid, which can actually raise the concentration as the volume decreases. So boiling won’t reduce nitrate levels and isn’t a safe way to make water nitrate-free. The correct approach is to use an alternate safe water source or apply treatment methods that remove nitrates, such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation. This is especially important because high nitrates can pose health risks, particularly for infants.

Nitrates in drinking water are dissolved ions, so they don’t go away when you boil. Boiling removes water as steam, but the nitrate ions stay in the liquid, which can actually raise the concentration as the volume decreases. So boiling won’t reduce nitrate levels and isn’t a safe way to make water nitrate-free. The correct approach is to use an alternate safe water source or apply treatment methods that remove nitrates, such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation. This is especially important because high nitrates can pose health risks, particularly for infants.