Introduction: Nitrates and nitrites commonly occur throughout nature as well as in foodstuffs. Their excess consumption can however pose health risks, for example, arising from methaemoglobinaemia or from the formation of N-nitrosamines.
Objectives: To determine whether the levels of domestic nitrate and nitrite consumption are safe in Polish households during 2006-2012.
Material and methods: Appropriate consumption data was obtained from the Central Statistical Office in Poland (GUS), whilst nitrate and nitrite intakes were estimated from nationally available data on foodstuff content taken from the literature.
Results: Mean nitrate and nitrite intakes were respectively 147 mg NaNO3 and 3.26 mg NaNO2/per person/day, corresponding to 41% and 45% of the ADI (acceptable daily intake). Statistically significant differences in intakes were observed between types of households, with the highest seen in those of retired subjects; however the ADIs were not exceeded.
Conclusions: Domestic intakes of nitrates and nitrites were found to be at safe levels; nevertheless control over their intake should be maintained because of potentially adverse health threats.