The concentration of PFOS and PFOA in English rivers has decreased by approximately 30% and 29%, respectively, according to new data from the Environment Agency (EA).
Background: What Are Forever Chemicals?
Persistent organic pollutants known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were first developed in the United States during the 1930s. They gained popularity due to their resistance to heat, water, oil, and electricity—properties that made them ideal for products such as non-stick frying pans and firefighting foam.
The term 'forever chemicals' reflects their extreme persistence in nature; they do not break down easily under natural conditions and can remain in soil, water, and living organisms for decades or longer.
Regulatory Actions
In response to growing evidence of health risks—including tissue damage in animals and increased rates of serious diseases like testicular cancer—the UK implemented strict bans on two early forms of PFAS:
- PFOA was effectively banned in 2010,
- PFOS was largely prohibited by 2020.
The Environment Agency's latest report confirms that these regulatory measures have contributed to the observed drop in river contamination levels over ten years.
Ongoing Concerns
While PFOS and PFOA are now under tight control, around 15,000 other PFAS compounds remain in use. Only about 200 are commonly employed across industries.
The EA has acknowledged that despite extensive research, 'uncertainty remains regarding the toxicity of many PFAS.' It emphasized that current regulations focus on individual substances rather than a comprehensive approach, which it says is necessary for effective environmental protection.
In response, the agency regularly tests for at least 60 different types of PFAS to build a national picture of contamination levels. Earlier this month, the UK government announced plans to begin monitoring PFAS exposure in human bodies as part of public health efforts.
Environmental Reality
A key limitation highlighted by experts is that although concentrations have decreased in rivers, the total amount of these chemicals present in the environment has likely not changed significantly—only been diluted and eventually flushed into oceans through natural water flow.
Dr David Megson**, reader in environmental forensics at Manchester Metropolitan University: "It's brilliant to see how far we have come in the last 10 years."
The only proven method for permanently destroying PFAS is high-temperature incineration. Currently, there are just two such facilities operating within the UK capable of safely handling this process.
Industrial Pushback
The chemicals industry continues to oppose broader regulation of all PFAS compounds, arguing that current scientific evidence does not support claims about widespread toxicity and asserting that some forms remain essential—such as those used in life-saving medical equipment.
Old landfill sites and industrial areas remain major sources of historical contamination, particularly along rivers like the Mersey. The EA has noted these locations as persistent contributors to river pollution despite regulatory progress.
Workers have been exposed to toxic firefighting foams containing PFAS during operations, raising concerns about occupational health risks. However, no official data on such exposures or associated illnesses is included in this report.