UK Government urged to tighten regulations on PFAS in drinking water

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has called on the UK government to implement stricter regulations regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The RSC's appeal comes in response to mounting evidence of the widespread and persistent nature of PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals," in the environment and their detrimental effects on human health.    

A recent analysis conducted by the RSC revealed that more than a third of water courses tested in England and Wales contain medium- to high-risk levels of PFAS. To combat this contamination, the RSC proposes a comprehensive plan that includes several key reforms.    

Firstly, the RSC recommends a significant reduction in the current limit for individual types of PFAS in drinking water. They propose decreasing the current limit of 100 nanograms per liter (ng/L) to 10 ng/L. Additionally, the RSC suggests introducing a combined limit, capping the total PFAS concentration in drinking water at 100 ng/L.    

Transparency is also a focal point of the RSC's plan. They emphasize the importance of reporting and recording all sources of PFAS contamination across the UK in a national inventory. Stricter regulations are called for regarding allowable levels of PFAS in industrial discharges, with an emphasis on rigorous enforcement.  

The RSC underlines the need to establish a national chemicals regulator with the authority to monitor and regulate all chemical contaminants, including PFAS.    

This comprehensive approach aims to protect public health and the environment from the pervasive threat of PFAS contamination in the water supply.    

The RSC, using data published in the Guardian with Watershed Investigations in February, has created an interactive map that highlights PFAS contamination hotspots in the UK's drinking water sources. Specific areas, such as the Wyre Plant Discharge Trade Effluent, the Duxford STW Trade Effluent, and the River Thames, have dangerously high PFAS concentrations.    

The RSC stresses the severe health risks associated with PFAS exposure, including testicular cancer, thyroid disease, increased cholesterol, liver damage, fertility issues, and harm to unborn children. PFAS compounds are known for their slow breakdown and are pervasive in various products, leading to their widespread presence in the environment.    

The RSC urges immediate action to protect public health from the risks posed by these persistent and harmful chemicals. Their call aligns with growing global awareness of PFAS contamination, highlighting the need for international efforts to address this pressing environmental and health crisis.    

The RSC's recommendations aim to ensure that the UK's drinking water standards remain among the best in the world. The government is urged to take proactive measures to control PFAS at its source through stronger regulation of use and manufacturing, as well as upgrading water treatment facilities to filter out PFAS.    

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs assures that drinking water standards in England are of an exceptionally high standard and that water companies are required to conduct regular risk assessments and sampling for substances that may pose a risk to human health. Work is ongoing across the government to assess PFAS levels in the environment and inform future policy and regulatory approaches.    

Water UK, the industry body, affirms that companies adhere to high standards set by regulators, with the majority of samples meeting strict tests. The RSC's call for action serves as a reminder to prioritize the protection of public health and the environment in the face of PFAS contamination.      

 

Source:  

Royal Society of Chemistry