Latest news with #BlueBabySyndrome
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
‘Only A Matter Of Time' Before A Baby Is Harmed Due To Nitrate Contamination, Warns Greenpeace
Greenpeace Aotearoa says that the news that the Gore water supply had exceeded the Government's maximum allowable value of nitrate in drinking water raises concerns over potential harm to infants. This is the second town to make headlines by exceeding nitrate levels in the town water supply in the last year, with Canterbury's Glenavy township exceeding the MAV (maximum allowable value) in December last year. The MAV was set in the 1960s to prevent methemoglobinemia, or Blue Baby Syndrome, which can be fatal. Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says "It's only a matter of time before we see a baby harmed in New Zealand due to consuming formula mixed with nitrate contaminated water. It is absolutely unacceptable that rural communities are unable to drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap - and this is happening more and more frequently." "The main source of this contamination is the intensive dairy industry - in particular, the overuse of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. To avoid the risk to life that is posed by nitrate contamination, we need to stop the pollution at the source, and that means implementing a sinking cap on the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading "However, the Luxon Government is doing the opposite. Rather than changing our laws to protect freshwater, Chris Bishop is implementing a freshwater pollution plan. He is weakening the national direction on freshwater, and removing the cap on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use. "We know that the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is causing nitrate contamination, and already towns in rural areas like Canterbury and Southland are facing the consequences of this, with undrinkable water. Removing limits on fertiliser use will worsen the drinking water crisis - and it's only a matter of time before it proves to be dangerous." There are several health risks associated with nitrate levels much lower than the current maximum allowable value of 11.3 mg/L. Long term exposure to nitrate contaminated water above 1 mg/L has been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer. At levels above 5 mg/L, the New Zealand College of Midwives recommends that pregnant people consider finding another source of water, due to an increased risk of preterm birth. Gore's water supply tested at 11.4 mg/L of nitrate on Friday. Nitrate cannot be removed by boiling drinking water, so those with high levels of nitrate must find an alternative water source or invest in costly reverse osmosis filters. Greenpeace says that the best way to reduce harm done by nitrate pollution in the long-term is to regulate the source of the pollution. "We're calling on this Government to make decisions that will protect rural communities' access to safe drinking water, and prevent the health impacts that are known to arise from nitrate contamination," says Appelbe. "New Zealanders overwhelmingly want clean water in lakes, rivers, and their kitchen taps - it's time for Luxon to deliver."
1News
5 days ago
- Health
- 1News
Water woes: Gore told to avoid tap water, Havelock on boil notice
Gore township residents have been told to stop consuming tap water, including drinking, food preparation, and brushing teeth. The Gore District Council said it has detected a nitrate level "slightly above" the maximum acceptable value for drinking water, as set out in the drinking water standards for New Zealand. Elevated nitrate levels could affect infants under six months and pregnant women. Boiling water does not remove nitrates, and may increase concentrations. A maximum level of nitrates in drinking-water was set to prevent Blue Baby Syndrome — a serious condition in infants that could lead to reduced oxygen availability. Council general manager of critical services Jason Domigan said the health risk to the general population was "low" but the council advised all households to "avoid using tap water" for drinking purposes "until further notice. ADVERTISEMENT "This includes for drinking, food preparation, and brushing teeth." Water could still be used for washing, toilets, showers and baths, although care should be taken when bathing young children. Animals have a higher tolerance to nitrate so owners could decide whether they wantedt o give their pets water from the tap, he added. Domigan said the elevated levels were detected after a monthly sample showed an increase of nitrate in the water supply above usual levels. "This prompted us to take an additional sample from the treatment plant this morning, which detected a nitrate level of 11.4 mg/L. The Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV) is 11.3 mg/L." The council said it has notified the southern district of Te Whatu Ora and Taumata Arowai, the country's water regulator, as required. Four water tankers would be available to supply free drinking water: ADVERTISEMENT Eccles Street playground Hokonui Drive by the Fire Station Hamilton Street opposite Oxford St playground Wentworth Street by Talbot Street Havelock issued three-year boil water notice Due to rule changes, the settlement at the head of Pelorus Sound has been told tap water is off limits. (Source: 1News) Earlier this week, Havelock was issued a boil water notice with a three-year timeline. The small town in the Marlborough region is located on the main route between Blenheim and Nelson. In a statement, Taumata Arowai said the notice was in place because Havelock's water supply couldn't inactivate protozoa, a type of parasite which can make people sick. Some business owners in the town feared the situation would put tourists off visiting the area. ADVERTISEMENT Havelock Garden Motel co-owner Kirsa Sowman told 1News: 'How are we supposed to provide water to our guests here at the motel … are we meant to provide [it]?' Kelly, who runs a guesthouse in the town, said the lengthy wait could kill her business. 'If I had a choice of going to a place which had a boiled water notice or going to a place which didn't have a boiled water notice, I know what direction I'd be going in.'
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
"A Dirty Deal For Dirty Water" - Government's $56m Irrigation Subsidy Blasted By Greenpeace
Greenpeace strongly condemns the announcement today of a $56 million government subsidy for additional irrigation infrastructure in rural Canterbury, saying that this will result in increased water pollution and the destruction of fragile freshwater ecosystems. The Government has announced a $56 million dollar subsidy through the Regional Investment Fund for three water storage projects in the Canterbury region - the Opuha Dam and Irrigation Scheme, the Balmoral Water Storage Facility (Amuri), and the Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme. Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says, "It is deeply irresponsible to use public money to fund the expansion of these irrigation schemes, which will lead to more intensive dairy, more cows, and more pollution. This is a dirty deal for dirty water." "Shane Jones needs to go down and front up to rural communities in Canterbury whose drinking water is already so contaminated with nitrates they can't safely drink it and explain why he is funding irrigation for dirty dairying that will contaminate their water more. "Everyone should be able to safely drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap, but right now, some rural communities are facing the reality that they cannot do so, because their drinking water is contaminated with unsafe levels of nitrate." Elevated levels of nitrate contamination in drinking water has been associated with several health risks including colorectal cancer and preterm birth. Stats New Zealand data released last week revealed that between 2019 and 2024 more than 12% of groundwater monitoring sites exceeded nitrate levels associated with Blue Baby Syndrome. "The source of nitrate contamination in drinking water is effluent runoff and nitrate leaching from the intensive dairy industry," says Appelbe. "Subsidising new irrigation infrastructure, which will lead to more intensive dairying and therefore more contamination of groundwater and drinking water, shows that this Government has a total disregard for the health of rural communities who cannot drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap." Appelbe says this comes off the back of the announcement of a wave of regulation changes that Greenpeace has labelled the Government's 'Freshwater Pollution Plan'. "This Government is seeking to strip back freshwater protections across the board - despite the fact that New Zealanders across the entire political spectrum want to see more protection for freshwater, not less." "The Government must end all subsidies for irrigation infrastructure immediately, and ensure freshwater pollution from the intensive dairy industry is stopped at the source."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Drinking water alert issued to Aqua Illinois customers with infants in the south suburbs
UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. (WGN) — A drinking water alert has been issued for Aqua Illinois customers with infants due to high levels of nitrates from the Kankakee River. According to an alert on Aqua Illinois' website, recent rains combined with spring agricultural fertilization have caused nitrate levels in the Kankakee River to rise, impacting customers served by their Kankakee Water Treatment Plant. The alert warns nitrate levels in the Kankakee River may be harmful to infants under six months in age, and affect customers served by their Kankakee, Peotone and University Park systems. Nitrates are natural compounds made of nitrogen and oxygen that are found in soil, water, some foods and even the human body. What makes them dangerous to infants is that if they are consumed at increased levels, they can interfere with their blood's ability to carry oxygen, potentially leading to methemoglobinemia, or 'Blue Baby Syndrome.' Blue Baby Syndrome can cause respiratory distress, seizures, coma and even death if not recognized and treated properly, according to the National Institutes of Health. To help customers while they work to fix the situation, Aqua Illinois said they are providing bottled water to families with infants under six months in age from 12-7 p.m. CT at three different locations, until the drinking water alert is lifted. 1000 South Schuyler Avenue, Kankakee, IL 60901 1737 East Amberstone Road, Manteno, IL 60950 24650 South Western Avenue, University Park, IL 60484 Aqua Illinois provided the following statement to WGN TV News: 'Aqua Illinois' top priority is the health and safety of our customers. The drinking water alert for infants under six months old remains in effect. We continue to monitor nitrate levels closely, and we will notify our customers when the drinking water alert is lifted. We will continue to provide bottled water for families with infants under six months old until we can lift the alert. The nitrate levels leading to this event were unprecedented, and we appreciate our customers' patience and understanding as we work diligently to address this issue.' -Aqua Illinois In 2017, Aqua Illinois switched their water sources from wells to the Kankakee River, arguing the move was supposed to provide the village and surrounding customers with a cleaner, better source of water. But according to University Park Mayor Joseph Roudez, that has not been the case. 'We don't know how long this will go on,' Roudez said. 'They tricked us the first time and said the lead problem would only last for a couple of months, it lasted for over four years. We are just recovering from that.' Aqua Illinois said they are monitoring the nitrate levels in the Kankakee River closely and will notify customers when the alert is lifted. If you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, Aqua Illinois said they urge customers to consult their doctor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
