The Role of Nitrate in Human Health
The EU and the World Health Organization apply a drinking water standard for nitrate in drinking water of 50 milligrams per litre. The risks to human health posed by nitrate in drinking water have been an issue of debate for many years. Drinking water is only one - and often a relatively minor - source of nitrate intake. Moreover, several studies also indicate health benefits of nitrate. This article provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on the human health aspects of nitrate.
Related articles to this topic to which the PBL has contributed
- Estimation of incidence and social cost of colon cancer due to nitrate in drinking water in the EU: a tentative cost-benefit assessment (2010)
- When does nitrate become a risk for humans (2008, doi)
- Does the evidence about health risks associated with nitrate ingestion warrant an increase of the nitrate standard for drinking water? (2006)
Authors
Specifications
- Publication date
- 31 January 2013
- Publication type
- Publication
- Magazine
- Advances in Agronomy
- Product number
- 795
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