High Levels of Banned Forever Chemical Found in the Cotswolds
The forever chemical and suspected carcinogen, PFOS, has been detected in the Cotswolds at over 2,000 times the environmental guidelines.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they will last for generations in the environment. They are used in a wide range of consumer products, such as food packaging, cosmetics, and clothing, as well as in industrial applications, like firefighting foams.
Exposure to some PFAS has been linked to numerous serious health conditions, including certain cancers (such as kidney and testicular), developmental issues, and immune system disruption. PFOS, which belongs to the PFAS family, has been classified by the World Health Organisation as a possible carcinogen.
The use of PFOS has been restricted in the UK due to its toxicity since its inclusion in the Stockholm Convention in 2009.
A new investigation by ENDS has found large amounts of this harmful chemical in the picturesque town of Moreton-in-the-Marsh in the Cotswolds. The chemical was found in a stream that runs directly from the town’s Fire Service College, which is England’s main site for firefighter emergency service training.
A confidential surface water monitoring report of the area surrounding the Fire Service College revealed that 8 out of the 10 sampling points showed PFOS levels far exceeding the annual average environmental quality standard (EQS). The highest reading was1,320ng/L – 2,000 times higher than the EQS of 0.65ng/L.
The local council had proposed part of the college grounds as a potential location for hundreds of new homes and a primary school. This has raised concerns that the land proposed for the new developments may be contaminated with toxic forever chemicals.
ENDS also highlights that Environment Agency data from 2018 to 2019 also found Moreton-in-the-Marsh to have the most PFOS-contaminated fish in the country, with levels 950 times over the EQS limit.
Stronger regulations are needed to protect our health and our environment from the adverse impacts of these toxic chemicals. CHEM Trust is calling for an urgent ban on PFAS chemicals in the UK and the EU.
Read more on PFAS here.
