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Story summary
- New Zealand researchers linked nitrate in drinking water to preterm births, estimating the 735,800 births studied produce 120 premature births a year (?4 % of total).
- Risk rises 1 % per 1 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen, and areas above 5 mg/L show an 8 % higher preterm rate.
- A Ministry of Health review started in February 2026 and Taumata Arowai’s review due end-2026 may tighten the 11.3 mg/L allowable value, raising costs for dairy farms, water treatment and disclosures.
