Dangerous water in 27 areas! (Real News)
Scientists have raised the alarm about the dangerous water in cities and villages of Greece. The reason is the very high to completely unsuitable levels of nitrates found in drinking water.
Of Alexandros Kontis
A silent but enormous threat to public health in our country is hidden in the high levels of nitrates found in drinking water, making it dangerous. Nitrate pollution comes from the excessive use of fertilizers and is internationally recognized as one of the biggest problems of water pollution, posing a real risk to the human body, especially for pregnant women, infants, and small children. In the most recent report by the European Commission on nitrates, published on May 4, 2018, it is stated that “excess nitrates in drinking water can have health effects, specifically causing methemoglobinemia, which prevents the normal transport of oxygen from the blood to the tissues, resulting in cyanosis and, at higher concentrations, asphyxiation that can prove fatal for infants.” Unfortunately, the negligence of Greek governments regarding the handling of the problem has resulted in dangerous water flowing from taps in thousands of homes, exceeding safe consumption limits. It is noted that the EU has officially set the limit at 50 mg/L; however, in the legislation of a total of 7 member countries (France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Poland, Croatia), there is a recommendation for consumers to avoid even the consumption of water with nitrates above 10 mg/L. The same level of 10 micrograms of nitrates per liter of water is the official safety limit set in the USA. In light of World Water Day on March 22, the data emerging about drinking water in a number of areas in Greece is disappointing. According to data from the Association of Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Enterprises (EDEYA), as well as local water supply companies, which are available online, there are at least three areas in the country where the limit of 50 mg/L is exceeded. In a measurement taken in the area of Midea in Nafplio, just on 02/18/2021, the amount found was 137 mg/L, nearly three times the allowed limit. In nearby Ermioni, a measurement from 2019 found 65 mg/L, while there seems to be a problem in Argos as well, since in June 2020 in the Koutsopodi area, nitrates were measured at 88 mg/L. Exceeding the limit of 10 mg/L is also found in a total of 24 more areas, which are literally spread across all lengths and widths of Greece. In measurements from 2019 and 2020, in cities and settlements, the following levels of nitrates have been found:
– Pylaia-Chortiatis (Asvestochori) 29.1 mg/L – Thermi 19.94 mg/L – Patras (city center) 14 mg/L – Patras (city center) 14 mg/L – Komotini 21.1 mg/L – Thebes 21.1 mg/L – Thasos 23.9 mg/L – Edessa 12.9 mg/L – Drama 14.4 mg/L – Almopia (Cemetery) 18.06 mg/L – Alexandroupoli 14 mg/L – Aigio 40.8 mg/L – Kavala (Philippi) 46 mg/L – Kilkis (Leventochori) 35.1 mg/L – Serres 24.1 mg/L (28/1/2020) – Paros (Kakapetra) 19 mg/L – Larissa (Giannouli) 14 mg/L – Chalkida (Agios Nikolaos) 36.5 mg/L – Agios Nikolaos Crete (Vryses) 15.9 mg/L – Heraklion (Kato Fortetsa) 28.3 mg/L – Lamia (Afanous) 14.6 mg/L – Platanias (Voukoliés) 19.1 mg/L – Agrinio (Paravola) 12 mg/L – Trikala 12.6 mg/L – Giannitsa 11.4 mg/L
In humans, nitrates are absorbed directly by the body,” an EFSA official stated in a written response. “Carcinogenic” Realnews contacted officials from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which has identified nitrates as one of the greatest risks that can arise for health through the food chain. “Nitrates enter the food chain as a contaminant of water due to excessive agricultural practices. In humans, nitrates are absorbed directly by the body. They can oxidize natural hemoglobin, reducing the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. They may also contribute to the formation of so-called nitrosamines, some of which are carcinogenic,” an EFSA official stated in a written response.
The dangers of nitrates in water are also highlighted by some of the most reputable Greek scientists in the field of food safety. “In drinking water, there should normally be no nitrates at all, which are contaminants of water. Unfortunately, they have adverse effects and can cause reactions in infants, leading to a form of biochemical anemia,” says Antonis Zabelas, the president of EFET and a professor at the Agricultural University of Athens, in an interview with “R”.
There should be great caution, especially for infants who drink milk made from infant formula and water,” emphasizes Dimitris Loutradis, professor of Midwifery and Gynecology at EKPA. “If they are present in the water in large quantities, they can affect the child’s thyroid or cause other problems in the lungs,” adds the professor.
