To obtain an indication of the nitrate-nitrogen levels in drinking water in rural areas of upstate New York and the number of infants at risk for methemoglobinemia, 419 wells supplying drinking water to farms were tested. Farmers were identified through two programs run by the New York State Department of Health. The farmers were asked to complete a short questionnaire about the type and size of their farm and their well and to collect the water sample. Overall, nitrates were detectable in 95% of the wells tested (concentration levels greater than 0.05 mg/L) and 15.7% had levels which exceeded 10 mg/L. Fifteen percent of the wells tested from farms where infants resided were also elevated. Wells which were shallow, dug or located on large farms, or springs were more likely to have elevated concentrations of nitrates.

Arecent overview of agricultural occupational safety and health hazards reported the incidence of trauma due to farm animals as "unknown" (OSHA, 1994), possibly due to the attention given to machine related injuries. A study based on National Safety Council data estimated that animal induced injuries amount to 16.9% of all farm work injuries (Purschwitz, 1990). However, in a recent dairy farming study, 32% of injuries were reported as animal related (Pratt, 1992). Among hospitalized victims of agricultural injury, 3% of long term disabilities resulted from farm animal injuries (Cogbill, 1985). Thus, animal related injuries in the agricultural workplace are common and potentially serious. Another study found 61 of 70 (87%) animal related occupational injuries among farm residents were caused by cows (Layde, 1996). During the period from 1991 to 1996, the Occupational Health Nurses in Agricultural Communities (OHNAC) surveillance program* in New