Today is World Environment Day, and a new survey[i] conducted by Ipsos and commissioned by CHEM Trust has found that almost 7 in 10 (68%)[ii] of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 are worried about the potential impact of harmful synthetic chemicals in the products they use, on the environment.

The survey also found that:

• 70%[iii] of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 would be likely to stop buying a product they regularly use if they learnt it contains chemicals that have a negative impact on wildlife.
• 64%[iv] of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 would be likely to pay more for products manufactured using chemicals that are safer for wildlife.

Not a single river in England is in good chemical health due to a cocktail of chemicals, including highly persistent chemicals such as PFAS. Harmful chemicals have also been found in some of the UK’s most iconic wildlife species, such as otters, harbour porpoises, freshwater fish and seabirds.

In addition, 87%[v] of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 think the UK Government should take action on the use of PFAS in products. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of over 10,000 highly persistent chemicals. They hardly degrade in the natural environment, leading to them lasting for generations. Exposure to some PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, has been linked to numerous adverse health effects, such as the promotion of certain cancers, disruption of the immune system, and reduced fertility.

When asked who has the most responsibility for taking action to ensure that harmful synthetic chemicals are not present in products used by people like themselves:

• 71%[vi] of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 think that the UK Government has the most responsibility; and
• 67%[vii] of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 think that the product manufacturers have the most responsibility.

Dr Anna Watson, Director of Policy and Advocacy at CHEM Trust, said:

“This survey shows that many people are worried about harmful chemicals and the impact they have on nature. They are also keen for the UK government to take action on PFAS. These “forever chemicals” are continuing to build up in our environment and they will be around for years to come. The government needs to act now to protect people and nature. It can easily do this by matching EU regulations on hazardous chemicals, including the proposed restriction on the use and manufacture of all PFAS.”

Read our briefing summarising key results from the survey here.

Read more news.

Technical notes:

[i] On behalf of CHEM Trust, Ipsos interviewed a representative quota sample of UK adults surveyed aged 16 -75 (n= 2186). The survey was carried out using the online i:omnibus from 28^th February – 3^rd March 2025. Data are weighted.

Survey questions referenced above:

Q1. Before completing this survey today, to what extent were you personally worried or not about the potential impact of harmful synthetic chemicals in products you use on each of the following? (options given: very worried; fairly worried; not very worried; not at all worried; don’t know)

1. Your personal health
2. The environment

Q2c. To what extent are you likely or unlikely to do each of the following? (Options given: very likely; fairly likely; not very likely; not at all likely; don’t know)

1. Stop buying a product I regularly use if I learnt that it contains chemicals potentially harmful to my health
2. Stop buying a product I regularly use if I learnt it contains chemicals that have a negative impact on wildlife
3. Pay more for products that are manufactured using chemicals that are safer for people’s health
4. Pay more for products that are manufactured using chemicals that are safer for wildlife

Q4. Which, if any, of the following has the most responsibility for taking action to ensure harmful synthetic

chemicals are not present in products used by people like myself?

1.The UK Government

2.The manufacturers of the product

3.Scientists

4.Healthcare organisations/healthcare professions

5.Retailers

6.Environmental and health charities

7.Consumers

8.Consumer advocacy groups

9.Other

10.None of these

11.Don’t know

Q6b. Should the UK Government take action or not take action on the use of PFAS in products? (Options given: definitely should take action; probably should take action; probably should not take action; definitely should not take action; don’t know)

[ii] Almost 7 in 10 (68%) UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 are either ‘very’ (25%) or ‘fairly’ (43%) worried about the potential impact of harmful synthetic chemicals on the environment in products they use.

[iii] 70% of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 would be either ‘very’ (31%) or ‘fairly’ (39%) likely to stop buying a product they regularly use if they learnt it contains chemicals that have a negative impact on wildlife.

[iv] 64% of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 would either be ‘very’ (22%) or ‘fairly’ (43%) likely to pay more for products that are manufactured using chemicals that are safer for wildlife.

[v] 87% of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 think the UK Government should either ‘definitely’ (51%) or ‘probably’ (35%) take action on the use of PFAS in products.

[vi] 71% of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 think that the UK Government has the most responsibility for taking action to ensure harmful synthetic chemicals are not present in products used by people like themselves.

[vii] 67% of UK adults surveyed aged 16-75 think that the manufacturers of the product has the most responsibility for taking action to ensure harmful synthetic chemicals are not present in products used by people like themselves.