While nitrate is a naturally occurring compound that is necessary to plants and animals for survival, its widespread use in inorganic fertilizers has increased the compound’s presence in the environment.

When excess nitrate is consumed by humans, usually via drinking water contaminated by agricultural runoff, the chemical can interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, the study explained.

“There is no safe level of prenatal nitrate exposure,” author Jason Semprini, an assistant professor in public health economics at Des Moines University, said in a statement.

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