The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is resuming its assessment of nitrates and nitrites in drinking water, which was suspended in 2018 after the Trump administration deprioritized the chemicals for evaluation under EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). In June 2023, EPA reversed the decision.
Nitrates and nitrites are pervasive contaminants in surface water and groundwater in the U.S. Studies have suggested an association between the chemicals and cancer, thyroid harm, birth defects, preterm birth and low birth weight, and type 2 diabetes.