Cold news in March 2024, published in public health: detection of nitrate in drinking water is associated with an increase of 73% of cancer mortality.1 In addition, whenever the nitrate level increases every 10 times, the risk of death to cancer is increased to 69%.
What’s even more surprising is that it lasts even if the level of nitrate is lower than the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) safety limit. These results draw a picture of a wide range of risks that are hidden in our water supply but often overlooked.
For decades, the EPA has maintained legal limitations of nitrate of drinking water, and is mainly a serious state of infants in which blood oxygen levels plummet to prevent blue baby syndrome, most commonly due to drinking water or formula nitritis.
However, as reported by Natasha Gilbert, a survey reporter, in a US rights article published in collaboration with Sierra, this limit was established 30 years ago and is not protected from cancer and other long -term health problems.2
Scientists and public health advisors now urge the EPA to reconsider these old -fashioned standards, and point out that evidence is installed in agricultural areas where nitrate contamination is prevalent.
EPA’s cancer risk re -evaluation exposure
Gilbert’s detailed report3 It is aimed at solving the risk of renewed nitrate and nitrate of nitrate, which began in June 2023, and explores the relationship with cancer and other health problems such as thyroid disease. EPA scientists first proposed this evaluation by EPA scientists 15 years ago and shows a long concern within the agency itself.
This article quotes KIMBERLY HARRIS, an expert on the EPA’s former health impact. In the 2017 e -mail, her office emphasized the internal driving force for regulatory reform, saying, “We have advocated for a while for a while.” . However, this promotion of the updated regulations faced a significant obstacle and is now faced with potential derailment.4
In particular, industrial groups in the food and agricultural sectors are actively pushing for strict nitrate control. Their main argument focuses on the claim that the reinforcement regulations will not provide excessively expensive and practical health benefits.5 The group even went to a committee’s research to minimize the need for more stringent nitrate limitations.
Elizabeth Southerland, former director of the EPA Science and Technology Office, pointed out in this article that “the goal is to paralyze the future until I study for many years.” Stable regulation measures.6
Meanwhile, the industry points out the health benefits of nitrate found in foods such as fruits and vegetables. However, independent scientists respond quickly to this claim that the nitrate of drinking water is a distinct and direct health risk.
Catherine Zeman, an environmental health scientist at James Madison University, Virginia, explains that unlike vegetables containing protective compounds, “drinking water is a direct shot of nitrate, vice versa.”7 This difference emphasizes the need to treat nitrate individually in other sources in risk assessment.8
According to GILBERT, the industry is promoting a study that supports funds by organizations such as PEPSICO. This suggests that the daily intake of acceptable nitrate can be too low and four times. . ”9
Despite industrial resistance, EPA’s re -evaluation of nitrate is especially necessary for the current drinking water standard protection of public health, especially in light of emerging research related to cancer risks.10
Michael Schmidt, a lawyer at the Iowa Environmental Council,11 “We have endured drinking water pollution for decades and have taken measures to keep our health.”
Research establishes a direct link between nitrate and cancer death.
According to public health studies, in drinking water, long -term exposure to nitrate, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other causes of death.12 To achieve this, scientists tracked their health results for 13.9 years using data from 2,029 participants in the National Health Survey between 2005 and 2006.
Nitrate was detected in more than half of the drinking water samples analyzed by the participants.13 The concentration of intermediate nitrate is relatively low, while it is 0.77 milligrams per liter (mg/L), but some samples are only 80.5 mg/L.14 Confusedly, even the low levels of the low level showed significant correlation with the increase in cancer death.15 As mentioned, the detection of nitrate in drinking water had a 73% higher risk of dying of cancer.16
Further analysis shows a clear capacity-reaction relationship, which is the same as the possibility of dying as a cancer as the level of nitrate increases.17 According to concerns, the risk of cancer death continued even when the level of nitrate is less than 10 mg/l nitrogen-nitrogen at the maximum pollutant level (MCL) of EPA.
In fact, the level of nitrate below this legal limit was still related to an increase of 61% of cancer mortality whenever the concentration still increased by 10 times.18 The meaning of this discovery is profound for American public health.
According to this study, the current EPA safety standard for nitrate of drinking water is not well protected, especially in relation to cancer risks. Because agricultural practices and animal waste are widely spread, it can be exposed to a level that unconsciously increases the risk of fatal cancer.19
Large review strengthens the connection between nitrate and gastric cancer.
In 2022 environmental studies, systematic review of meta -analysis investigated the connection between drinking water and nitrate of nitrate and nitrite contamination.20 This review includes 60 research papers dealing with 17 types of cancer, which includes a significant association between nitrate exposure and gastric cancer.
In fact, the risk of gastric cancer is almost doubled due to the increase in the concentration of nitrate (mg/l) per 10 milligrams per liter. Meta -analysis, which is used in this review, is particularly powerful because it combines statistical results of multiple research to identify consistent patterns and strengthen overall evidence.
One mechanism in which the nitrate of drinking water can increase cancer risks, especially gastric cancer, includes the formation of nitro compounds (NOC).21 Eating nitrate is converted into nitrite.22 In the acidic environment of the stomach, this nitrite reacts with other compounds to form an NOC, some of which are known carcinogens.23
This analysis also pointed out that nitrite consumed through food, especially through processed meat, is considered an important risk factor of certain cancer.24
How to take action to protect drinking water
Nitrate pollution in drinking water is a serious problem, but the good news is that there is no power. There are practical stages that you can take to protect yourself and your family and become part of this extensive problem. Here are some of the main measures to check if water is as safe as possible.
1. Install Yeoksam to filter. If you are concerned about nitrate of drinking water, the most direct action at home is to install a reverse osmotic (RO) filter. This filtration system is designed to remove nitrate and effectively reduces exposure directly from the tab. This is a practical stage that can be implemented immediately to control the quality of drinking water.
2. I know Suwon. Do you know where you come from drinking water? If you are using a public water system, find out if water utility can regularly test nitrate and openly use the results. If you rely on a personal well, it is important to test the well in the certified laboratory. Understanding Suwon and Vulnerability is the first step in taking measures based on information.
3. It advocates more stringent drinking water regulations. Currently, drinking water regulations are not suitable for preventing cancer risks. Your voice is important. To express concerns about nitrate contamination and the need for strict restrictions on agricultural leakage and industrial pollution, contact the region, state and federal representatives.
If you join or apply for environmental and health advocacy organizations, it will amplify the impact and promote policy change to protect everyone’s water.
4. Sustainable agricultural support- The root cause of many nitrate contamination is the existing agricultural practice. Select farmers who use sustainable methods that minimize fertilizers and manure leaks.
Purchase locally or join the community support agricultural (CSA) program in the farmers’ market, which prioritizes regeneration agriculture. Food selection indirectly affects water quality and reduces overall demand for practices that lead to nitrate pollution.
5. Keep information and preach awareness. Continue update the latest research and news on nitrate contamination of drinking water. Share learning with friends, family and community. The more people who know this problem, the greater the collective pressure. Recognition is a powerful tool to promote action and protect public health.
