Água é agro? Água é tec, água é pop, água é tudo! Água é também nitrato:

Abstract

The use of nitrogen-based fertilizers has significantly increased in Brazil. Consequently nitrate leaches away into the rivers, lakes and other watercourses and by percolation reaches the groundwater. All of which is financed by the great agribusiness industry using slogans such as "agro is tec, agro is pop, agro is everything". In fact, this is a huge exportation of agricultural commodities. Through this practice we the soils, aquifers, water courses and fruits. Consumption of good quality drinking water is essential for human health. Human beings in their adult stage are made up of 65% on average by water. There is a worldwide concern regarding the preservation of this resource for the future consumption of several generations. Among the various contamination and pollution problems related to the quality of water intended to human consumption I highlight the nitrate ion (NO3) present in the water. The nitrate present in the water used for human supply causes the formation of nitrosamines and nitrosamides when ingested. These are carcinogenic chemical compounds. Even though they are found in some food, it is in the water that happens the biggest contamination process on an everyday bases. This fact greatly enhances the effects of nitrate in the human organism after many decades of use. This research is a scientific survey with the objective of alerting the community about the risks and effects of the presence of nitrate in drinking water to human health. What would be the challenges for the implementation of means to reduce or remove this nitrate ion from water bodies destined for human supply?