Significant drop in levels of toxic 'forever' chemicals in England's rivers
Summary
Environment Agency figures show that levels of PFOS and PFOA in England’s rivers fell by 30% and 29%, respectively, over the past decade. The agency says other PFAS remain in use and should be monitored and regulated, while the chemicals’ persistence means the total amount in the environment may not have fallen.Key Facts
- PFOS and PFOA are two types of PFAS, a group of chemicals often called “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly.
- PFOS was almost entirely banned in the UK in 2010, and PFOA was banned in 2020.
- Levels of PFOS and PFOA in freshwater fish have fallen by 49%.
- The Environment Agency is regularly testing for 60 other PFAS.
- The agency said uncertainty remains about the toxicity of many PFAS.
- The government announced earlier this month that it would begin monitoring PFAS levels in people’s bodies.
- The report says the chemicals’ concentrations have declined, but their total amount in the environment may have stayed similar as they were diluted and washed into the sea.
- The article says high-temperature incineration is one of the few ways to permanently destroy PFAS, and that only two suitable sites currently operate in the UK.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
