Nitrate controversy and cancer causation: An environmental viewpoint

The environmental problem of excess nitrate in food and drink is discussed. In 1982, Dr Geoffrey Taylor died of cancer primarily of gastric origin. Before his death through TV, radio and lectures he stressed the need for research to ascertain upper safe levels for nitrate-nitrite content, especially in vegetables. Additionally he indicated possible links between cancer causation and the ingestion of nitrate-nitrite-derived nitrosamines. This paper is a tribute to his work.Lecture delivered on April 14th, 1983, to the Environmental Science Dept., Farnborough College of Technology, UK.