Toxic “forever chemicals” above proposed safety limits in almost all English waters tested

Toxic “forever chemicals” above proposed safety limits in almost all English waters tested
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Nearly all tested rivers, lakes, and ponds in England contain levels of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) exceeding proposed new safety limits, with 110 out of 117 water bodies failing these standards, The Guardian reported. Fish in these waters have PFOS levels on average 322 times above planned wildlife safety limits, posing health risks even from occasional consumption. PFAS are persistent, human-made chemicals used in various products and linked to cancers and hormone disruption.

The EU has proposed strict water quality standards limiting 24 PFAS to 4.4 nanograms per litre, measuring toxicity relative to PFOA, a banned carcinogen. The UK currently has no plans to regulate PFAS as a group, unlike the EU, Denmark, and France. Environmental groups urge the UK government to ban PFAS in consumer products, improve monitoring, enforce tougher standards, and hold polluters financially responsible for cleanup.

Experts warn of PFAS’s widespread environmental and health impacts and call for urgent government action to align with international measures. The Environment Agency is investigating PFAS pollution sources, while the government claims commitment to protecting health and environment by assessing PFAS risks and informing future policies.