A coalition of 85 health and environmental organisations has called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to review its drinking water standards for nitrate, arguing that existing guidelines do not adequately reflect recent scientific evidence about potential health risks. In an open letter published on Tuesday, the organisations urged the United Nations health agency to include nitrate in an upcoming review of its drinking water guidelines. The signatories include Greenpeace International and the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA). The groups said the current standards had remained unchanged for decades and required reconsideration in light of emerging research. According to the letter, surface water modelling suggests that hundreds of millions of people worldwide may be exposed to elevated nitrate levels. The organisations warned that the scale of potential exposure makes the issue an important public health concern. The signatories also highlighted the influence of WHO guidelines on national drinking water policies. Most governments base their own drinking water standards on recommendations issued by the organisation. They argued that revising the guidelines could help drive changes in water quality regulations and strengthen global efforts to protect public health. Nitrate contamination is a growing concern for health and environmental organisations, particularly in discussions surrounding water quality and the safety of drinking water. The coalition is seeking a review of the existing scientific basis for nitrate limits and a reassessment of the guidelines in light of more recent evidence. The supplied report does not detail the specific health effects cited by the organisations or the WHO’s response to the request.

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