On Tuesday, 85 environmental and health organizations, including Greenpeace International and the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to revise its decades-old guidelines on nitrate levels in drinking water. The current standards, set in 1958, permit a maximum of 50 milligrams of nitrate per liter of water. However, the groups argue that these guidelines are outdated and fail to account for the long-term health risks associated with nitrate exposure.
The organizations expressed concern about the toxic effects of nitrates, which are residues left behind by intensive agriculture. These effects are particularly hazardous for children and pregnant women. According to the groups, the current guidelines only aim to prevent "blue baby syndrome," a condition characterized by insufficient oxygenation of the blood. However, they do not address the links between chronic exposure to low levels of nitrate and long-term health risks, such as colorectal cancer and birth complications.
The letter, published on the occasion of World One Health Day, highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal, and plant health, as well as ecosystem health. WONCA President Pratyush Kumar stated that studies have linked nitrate levels in drinking water, even at levels below the current WHO limits, to intestinal cancer and premature births. This emphasizes the need for updated guidelines that reflect the latest scientific evidence.
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are exposed to high levels of nitrates, according to the letter. Greenpeace's Amanda Larsson stressed that water should be a source of life, not a threat. The organizations cited a 2025 report by a committee of experts appointed by the Danish government, which found that current international standards are inadequate for protecting public health.
The expert committee recommended reducing the acceptable nitrate level in drinking water to 6 mg per liter, nearly ten times lower than the current WHO threshold. The Danish government has committed to following these recommendations. However, many governments base their standards on WHO guidelines, and the organizations argue that an update is vital for reforming global policies.
The letter emphasizes that the current guidelines have not been revised in response to robust epidemiological evidence linking nitrate exposure to long-term health risks. The organizations are calling for the WHO to update its guidelines to reflect the latest scientific understanding of the health impacts of nitrate exposure. This would help protect the health of millions of people worldwide who are exposed to high levels of nitrates.
The push for updated guidelines comes as governments and health organizations increasingly recognize the interconnectedness of human and environmental health. By revising its guidelines, the WHO can help countries develop more effective policies to protect public health and the environment. The organizations hope that the WHO will take their concerns seriously and work to update its guidelines on nitrate levels in drinking water.
Key points
- - 85 environmental and health organizations have called for the WHO to revise its guidelines on nitrate levels in drinking water. - Current WHO guidelines, set in 1958, permit a maximum of 50 milligrams of nitrate per liter of water. - The organizations argue that updated guidelines are needed to protect against long-term health risks, such as colorectal cancer and birth complications.
