A new study has found PFAS in the waters, wildlife, and seabed of the Solent, a stretch of water between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. The researchers suggest the pollution is coming from multiple sources, including wastewater treatment plants and historic landfill sites. The study highlights the need for better regulation of forever chemicals, and the need to consider mixtures of multiple chemicals.

The study, conducted by the University of Portsmouth and the Marine Conservation Society, found high levels of PFAS in the Solent. The Solent is of high ecological and conservation value and contains sites of special scientific interest (SSSI).

PFAS are a group of around 10,000 chemicals often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ as they are highly persistent and take generations to break down in the environment. Exposure to some PFAS has been linked with adverse health impacts, including certain cancers, reduced fertility, and the disruption of the immune system.

The researchers examined existing monitoring data as well as new samples from the Solent. They found PFAS in the water, wildlife, and seabed of the Solent. At the sample sites tested, levels of PFOS, a type of PFAS, were 13 times higher than the UK and EU standard set for coastal waters. PFOS is classified by the World Health Organisation as possibly cancer-causing, and was restricted globally in 2009.

A range of marine life was tested for PFAS, including harbour porpoises, which showed the highest PFAS concentrations, with levels in liver tissue exceeding the threshold set for biota (living organisms).

Much lower levels were found in fish, invertebrates and seaweeds. However, in a BBC article, Professor Alex Ford from the University of Portsmouth, and one of the study authors, points out that “Most species fall within the legal limits when you look at individual chemicals in isolation, but when you consider everything together, the picture is more concerning.”

Wildlife is constantly exposed to a complex mixture of known and suspected harmful chemicals through air, water, food, consumer products, and other routes. This is known as the ‘cocktail effect’. Yet, most chemical safety regulations ignore this fact and assess chemicals on an individual basis. Therefore, the true risk to humans, wildlife, and the environment is underestimated. Ford adds: “Regulation needs to catch up with the science and treat these chemicals as mixtures, not just individual substances.”.

The researchers suggested that the forever chemicals are entering the environment through sewer overflow outfalls, wastewater treatment plants, and historic landfills.

A spokesperson for Southern Water states: “The most sustainable solution is to meet the problem at source … and keep [the chemicals] out of pipes and the environment in the first place.”

CHEM Trust supports the proposed EU-wide universal PFAS restriction, which will apply to all PFAS and control pollution at source once it is introduced. We are calling for the UK to restrict PFAS as a group, in line with the EU’s upcoming restriction.

Read more about the universal PFAS restriction here.

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