Photo / 123RFBy RNZBetween 300,000 and 800,000 New Zealanders may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of nitrates in their drinking water, which may increase their chances of developing bowel cancer. The study, overseen by Victoria and Otago universities, used overseas research including a major Danish study that found a link with bowel cancer when levels were as low as 0.87mg/L of water. It had implications for dairying, with cow urine one of the major contributors to increased nitrate levels, he said. The numbers potentially affected by higher levels jumped markedly depending on whether private drinking water wells were included, from up to 500,000 to as many as 800,000. The work had now been handed to the Ministry of Health which had set up a task force to look at the link between nitrates and bowel cancer.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 21, 2021 20:35 UTC