The recent condemnation of the Greek administration by the European Court has revealed the serious problem of Nitrates.

Nitrate and nitrite ions can be dangerous for health, especially for infants, in drinking water. High concentrations may lead, under certain circumstances, to the formation of carcinogens, elimination of vitamins, and other severe diseases. Nitrates may reach not only our drinking water, but also our food, primarily through vegetables. (e.g. lettuce, spinach)

The European directive has existed since 1991 and, after 24 years, Greece has not yet taken important measures to face this problem

The limit above which the concentration of nitrate ions is considered dangerous is 50mg/L.

Already, in 9 regions of Greece, such concentrations have been observed, while many other have come close to the limit (Peloponnese, Thessaloniki, Crete, Evia, Pella, Evros etc.)

The major factors of Nitrates, with contribution of over 60%, are the agricultural or livestock sectors (fertilizers – pesticides – animal waste). The industrialization of agriculture, the requirement for mass production and contraction agriculture, lead the farmers to intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, to ?ensure? the production. For the same reason, livestock farmers do not give adequate attention to the management of animal waste.

Other reasons for Nitrates are faulty operation of wastewater treatment cities. Because of the above mismanagement, nitrate ions are transported in rivers lakes and aquifers and throughout the food chain.Solving this problem requires the application of effective agricultural/animal good practices such as systematic soil analyzes, the creation of crop registers, control of fertilizers and pesticides, safe handling of animal waste, etc.

The State, in cooperation with the environmentally sensitized local communities must set rules which will protect the production but also the environment and the health of people.

Fortunately, in recent years, the shift of consumers, and therefore producers to biological products show another, more promising direction for sustainable development.