  Groundwater is a crucial source of drinking water, but it is often
contaminated with water-soluble pollutants that can pose significant health
risks. Among these pollutants, nitrate has been extensively studied and found
to be harmful to human health in high concentrations. However, the impact of
nitrate pollution in groundwater on crime rates and social problems remains
unexplored. This study aims to investigate the correlation between nitrate
contamination in groundwater and crime rates in US states. The results suggest
a potential link between nitrate pollution and increased crime rates, leading
to the proposal of the "Nitrate-Crime Hypothesis." These findings highlight the
importance of environmental factors in public health and safety policies and
call for further research in this area.
