WHO urged to review drinking water standards amid nitrate health fears
The toxic effects of nitrates, a residue left behind by intensive farming, are widely recognised as particularly dangerous to children and pregnant women.
GENEVA: Over 80 global health and environmental groups have urged the World Health Organization to review nitrate standards in drinking water, citing new scientific evidence linking the substance to health risks such as cancer and premature births. In an open letter sent to coincide with WHO's annual One Health Day, the organisations argued that the current WHO limit of 50 milligrammes per litre is outdated and no longer reflects current understanding of nitrate's toxic effects.
The letter, signed by groups including Greenpeace International and the World Organization of Family Doctors, warned that even levels of nitrates well below the current limit have been linked to bowel cancer and premature births. The current standard, set in 1958, was specifically designed to prevent blue-baby syndrome, a potentially fatal blood disorder.
However, organizations argue that the limit should be reduced to 6.0 mg/L to better protect public health, a change Denmark has already committed to.
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- WHO urged to review drinking water standards amid nitrate health fears freemalaysiatoday.com
