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62 Million Americans Exposed to Cancer-Linked Nitrate Water

4/24/2026

33 5 Full Breakdown

Left

EWG Warns

Environmental Working Group reports that over 62 million Americans may be drinking with nitrate levels linked to cancer and birth defects.
Nitrate concentrations as low as 3 mg/L exceed the EPA’s 1962 limit in U.S. drinking water.
Des Moines spent over $4 million on a treatment plant that costs $10,000 daily to operate.
Experts link climate-related runoff to rising nitrate and urge crop-cover practices and household reverse-osmosis filters.

Right

Greenpeace Maps Nitrates

Greenpeace launched an interactive map that displays nitrate concentrations in drinking water for every municipality across Spain.
Spain’s authorities report nitrate levels in municipal water, noting several areas exceed the legal 50 mg/L threshold.
In Malaga province, ten towns show 30-50 mg/L nitrates, marked red yet under the legal limit.
Humilladero exceeded 50 mg/L in 2024, water unfit and prompting Greenpeace to urge lowering to 6 mg/L.

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EWG Warns

Environmental Working Group reports that over 62 million Americans may be drinking with nitrate levels linked to cancer and birth defects.
Nitrate concentrations as low as 3 mg/L exceed the EPA’s 1962 limit in U.S. drinking water.
Des Moines spent over $4 million on a treatment plant that costs $10,000 daily to operate.
Experts link climate-related runoff to rising nitrate and urge crop-cover practices and household reverse-osmosis filters.

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