Reduction in Toxic 'Forever' Chemicals in England's Rivers

Levels of the two most toxic 'forever' chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, in England's rivers have dropped by nearly a third over the last decade, according to new figures from the Environment Agency (EA) (1). The decline in the chemicals has been put down to stricter restrictions on their use in products after increasing evidence emerged of their damaging impact on human health and the environment (1). [1]

PFAS, the broader category of 'forever' chemicals, were first developed in the 1930s in the US and became popular for their oil-resistant, water-resistant, and electrical properties in products like frying pans and firefighting foam (1). These chemicals are called forever chemicals because their natural resistance means they take a very long time to break down naturally (1). [1]

The earliest types of these chemicals were called PFOS and PFOA. But two decades ago researchers started to find that they were linked to tissue damage in animals and increased rates of certain serious health conditions such as testicular cancer. As a result, PFOS was all but banned in the UK in 2010 and PFOA in 2020 (1). [1]

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluated PFOA as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) based on sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals and strong mechanistic evidence that PFOA exhibits key characteristics of carcinogens in exposed humans (2). [2]

Levels of the two most toxic 'forever' chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, in England's rivers have dropped by nearly a third over the last decade, according to new figures from the Environment Agency (EA) (1). The decline in the chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, has been put down to stricter restrictions on their use in products after increasing evidence emerged of their damaging impact on human health and the environment (1). [1]

PFAS, the broader category of 'forever' chemicals, were first developed in the 1930s in the US and became popular for their oil-resistant, water-resistant, and electrical properties in products like frying pans and firefighting foam (1). The earliest types of these chemicals were called PFOS and PFOA. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluated PFOA as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) based on sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals and strong mechanistic evidence that PFOA exhibits key characteristics of carcinogens in exposed humans (2). [1] [2]

The latest data from the regulator, published on Thursday, shows that the concentrations in English rivers of PFOS and PFOA over the last 10 years have now fallen by 30% and 29% respectively. Levels in freshwater fish have fallen 49% (1). The EA report acknowledged that while concentration levels had fallen, because the chemicals take so long to break down, the overall amount still in the environment is likely to have remained unchanged - they have simply been diluted and been washed into the sea (1). [1]

The Environment Agency (EA) has reported that the concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in English rivers have decreased by 30% and 29% respectively over the past decade, attributed to stricter restrictions on their use (1). These restrictions followed growing evidence of their harmful effects on human health and the environment. The EA acknowledges that while these reductions are positive, the overall amount of these chemicals in the environment is likely unchanged due to their long persistence (1). [1]

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified PFOA as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) based on sufficient evidence from experimental animals and strong mechanistic evidence (2). PFOS was evaluated as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), with strong mechanistic evidence but limited evidence in humans (2). These classifications highlight the ongoing health risks associated with these chemicals and the need for continued research and regulation (2). [2]

The EA is now regularly testing for 60 other PFAS to better understand contamination levels across the country. The chemicals industry has expressed opposition to broad regulation, citing limited evidence of toxicity for many PFAS and their essential uses in medical equipment (1). The government has announced plans to monitor PFAS levels in people's bodies, indicating a shift toward more comprehensive oversight (1). [1]

Sources

BBC Science

www.iarc.who.int

Prepared with AI assistance from the cited sources.