Global health and environmental organisations are urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to reconsider its drinking water standards. They warn that existing nitrate limits may not adequately address health risks identified by recent scientific research.
In an open letter issued on Tuesday, 85 organisations called on the WHO to include nitrate in its upcoming review of drinking water guidelines. The signatories include Greenpeace International and the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA).
They argue that the current standards rely on decades-old evidence and require an updated scientific assessment.
Why Are Organisations Concerned About Nitrate in Drinking Water?
Nitrates are residues associated with intensive agricultural activities. Their harmful effects are widely recognised, particularly for children and pregnant women.
However, the current WHO guideline sets the maximum acceptable nitrate concentration at 50 milligrams per litre. This equals 11.3 milligrams per litre when measured as nitrate-nitrogen.
The organisations say the standard dates back to 1958 and no longer reflects current scientific understanding.
Initially, the limit aimed to prevent “blue-baby syndrome”. This potentially deadly blood disorder reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
However, campaigners argue that the existing threshold overlooks possible long-term effects from continuous exposure to lower nitrate concentrations.
New Research Raises Concerns About Long-Term Health Risks
The organisations’ letter highlights epidemiological evidence linking chronic nitrate exposure with potential health problems. These include colorectal cancer and adverse birth outcomes.
WONCA chair Pratyush Kumar also highlighted concerns about exposure below the existing WHO limit.
“Studies now link nitrate in drinking water, at levels well below the current WHO limit, to bowel cancer and premature birth,” Kumar said in a joint statement.
The organisations argue that these findings justify a fresh assessment of drinking water safety standards.
85 Organisations Call for Decisive Action
The open letter coincided with the WHO’s annual One Health Day. The initiative highlights connections between human, animal and plant health, alongside shared ecosystems.
The organisations also warned that surface water models indicate hundreds of millions of people worldwide face exposure to elevated nitrate levels.
Greenpeace’s global project lead for agriculture, Amanda Larsson, stressed the importance of protecting water resources.
“Water should be life-giving, not life-threatening,” Larsson said.
She also emphasised the connection between environmental protection and public health.
“We cannot protect human health without protecting the groundwater and rivers that sustain us,” she insisted.
Larsson further called on governments to address pollution linked to intensive livestock farming.
“Governments must take decisive action to curb the growth of intensive livestock farming and actively support producers in transitioning to ecological farming practices — ensuring that clean, safe drinking water isn’t a luxury but a guarantee.”
Denmark’s Expert Panel Recommends Lower Nitrate Limit
The organisations also referred to findings published last year by an expert panel commissioned by the Danish government. The panel concluded that the existing international standard was insufficient to protect public health.
It recommended lowering the nitrate limit to 6.0 milligrams per litre. This is nearly ten times below the current WHO benchmark.
Denmark committed to the recommendation earlier this year.
Why a WHO Review Could Matter Globally
Many national governments base their drinking water standards on WHO guidelines. Therefore, changes to the international recommendations could influence water safety policies worldwide.
The organisations described an updated WHO assessment as “vital for global policy reform”.
They are urging the UN health agency to consider the latest scientific evidence when reviewing its drinking water guidelines. Their campaign focuses on reducing potential health risks while protecting groundwater and rivers from agricultural pollution.
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