### definite unit | radical:

Nitrite
* All nitrites are poisonous in excess.
* Some nitrite is absorbed into the bloodstream.
* also occur naturally in foods.
* are a by-product of organic waste decomposing in the water garden
  - suspected cause of mechanical seal failures
* are also harmful to goldfish, but are less toxic than ammonia
  - present in many medicinal agents
  - as toxic as ammonia themselves
  - considered a dangerous food additive and the main reason many people avoid cured meats
  - cytotoxic chemicals which destroy the immune system and cause cancer
  - groups
  - less toxic than ammonia, but can still kill fish if the levels are too high
  - more toxic to catfish than scalefish
  - normally strong oxidizing agents
  - one common example
  - similar to nitrates
  - so essential, in fact, that our bodies even create it on their own
  - the more dangerous of the two compounds
  - toxic to livestock because they interfere with the ability of blood to carry oxygen
* can affect human health by reducing the ability of blood to carry oxygen
  - bind to hemoglobin in the blood, effectively blocking the binding sites for oxygen
  - cause toxic methemoglobinemia
  - compete with oxygen in the blood, leading to a condition called methemoglobinemia
  - form toxic chemicals when heated
* combine with amines naturally present in meat to form carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds.
* convert to another chemical called nitrosamines, which are known cancer-causing agents.
* form under conditions of extreme heat, such as frying.
* interferes with the oxygen carrying capacity of the child's blood.
* reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood which can be fatal.
* represent a risk, as they can form cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines.
+ Blue-baby syndrome: Syndromes
  * Blue Baby Syndrome' is an illness. It is also called 'methemoglobinemia'. It begins when a baby drinks water that has a lot of nitrates in it. The baby's digestive system changes the nitrates into nitrites. Nitrites are similar to nitrates. This reaction creates metheglobin, which cannot carry oxygen. This is a problem, because every part of the body needs oxygen to be healthy and to stay alive. If enough metheglobin is formed in the blood, body tissues may not get enough oxygen. This causes the infant's mucous membranes to become blue in color. The baby may have problems with his digestive system, which is in charge of digesting food and getting nutrition out of the food.
+ Nitrate: Nitrogen compounds
  * It is a strong oxidizing agent. It is found in the earth in some very dry places. Potassium nitrate is a common nitrate. Nitrites are similar.
+ Sodium nitrite, Safety: Sodium compounds :: Nitrogen compounds
  * Nitrites can form toxic chemicals when heated. These toxic chemicals are carcinogens, which means they can cause cancer. That is why some people do not want nitrites in foods. Others say that because nitrites kill bacteria, they should be included in foods.
  * Nitrite' is an ion. Nitrites are normally strong oxidizing agents. Most of them are colorless crystalline compounds. Sodium nitrite is a common nitrite.

### definite unit | radical | nitrite:

Sodium nitrite
* are chemical compounds
  - inorganic compounds
* is used to make the diazonium ion
  - preserve meat
* toxic substance, and at sufficient dose levels, is toxic in humans.
+ Nitrite: Nitrogen compounds

Oxygen radical
* accumulate in the body and damage it.
* are a normal everyday part of living.
* damage chromosomal DNA causing cell death and inducing mutations.
* diminish dopamine transporter function in rat striatum.

Radical nephrectomy
* is considered to be the gold standard of therapy for kidney cancer
  - the treatment of choice for nonmetastic renal cell carcinoma
* removes the kidney with the tissues around it
  - whole kidney with the tissues around it