Contamination and “forever chemicals”

A future concern is likely to be PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are group of around 10,000 chemicals used in a very wide range of consumer products for decades. The chemicals are persistent in the environment, leading to their being called “forever chemicals” and in some cases have been linked to a range of diseases, including cancer.  In 2023 the US Environmental Protection Agency announced stringent drinking water standards for a number of these chemicals, a development which has attracted attention in the UK where contamination by these substances is thought to be widespread.  Sources of PFAS pollution in the UK and globally, are known to include manufacturing sites and from the use of  firefighting foams at sites such as airports, military bases, firefighting training areas and the sites of past large fires. Leachate from landfills and sewage treatment outflows are another potential source. See ENDS Report 27 February and 16 March 2023.

Contaminated Land para. reference: 1-09