85 organisations urge WHO to review nitrate limits in drinking water

An open letter signed by 85 health and environmental organisations calls on the WHO to include nitrate in an upcoming review of its drinking-water guidelines. The groups say the current limit dates to 1958 and cite evidence they say links lower-level exposure with health risks; the WHO response is not stated in the supplied reports.

• The letter asks the WHO to include nitrate in an upcoming review of its drinking-water guidelines.· 1 source
• The organisations say the current maximum, 50 mg/L as nitrate or 11.3 mg/L as nitrate-nitrogen, dates to 1958 and was set to prevent blue-baby syndrome.· 1 source
• The letter cites evidence linking nitrate exposure below the current limit with colorectal cancer and adverse birth outcomes; a Danish expert panel recommended a 6.0 mg/L limit.· 1 source