What is the primary cause of Blue Baby Syndrome?

Blue Baby Syndrome primarily occurs due to high levels of nitrate in drinking water. Nitrates can interfere with the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen, leading to a condition known as methemoglobinemia, which is particularly dangerous for infants. When these babies consume water or formula mixed with high-nitrate water, they can develop a bluish discoloration of the skin due to oxygen deprivation in their blood. This is why monitoring and controlling nitrate levels in drinking water is crucial, especially in areas where agricultural runoff may contaminate water supplies with fertilizers rich in nitrates.

The other options do not cause Blue Baby Syndrome. Lead contamination can lead to serious health issues but does not specifically cause the symptoms associated with this syndrome. Excessive chlorine levels can impact taste, odor, and health but are not linked to the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. High levels of oxygen in water, on the other hand, are not a recognized risk factor for this syndrome either. Thus, the connection between high nitrate levels in drinking water and the serious health risk of Blue Baby Syndrome is well-established in public health and environmental studies.