Scientists discover toxic 'forever chemicals' that can impact human FERTILITY in 98% of UK rivers
Researchers analysed samples from 32 rivers across the UK's four nations and found traces of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in 31 of them.
TFA is a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), a group of human-made chemicals used widely in consumer products that do not break down for thousands of years.
This particular 'forever chemical' is thought to damage fertility and child development, and some experts want it to be classed as toxic for reproduction.
For the study, scientists sampled five rivers in Wales, three in Northern Ireland, 13 in Scotland and 11 in the north of England.
They found 98 per cent contained traces of TFA, with the highest concentration recorded on the River Kelvin in Glasgow.
This concentration – 78,464ng (nanograms) per litre – is the second highest TFA river contamination ever recorded globally.
The only river not to contain traces of the chemical was the River Ness, which flows from Loch Ness to the Moray Firth.
'This molecule is everywhere,' Alistair Boxall, professor of Environmental Science at the University of York, told the BBC.
'We will all be drinking water containing TFA every day – so we'll be exposed throughout our lifetime.
'It's that long-term, low level exposure that is the big concern.'
Recent studies in the EU have found TFA to be widespread. It has been detected in wine and food, human blood and breast milk.
In the last two decades TFA levels in drinking water in Germany have increased fourfold, and experts are trying to establish what impact it might have on human health.
Authorities there have applied to the European Chemicals Agency for TFA to be classified as toxic for reproduction and harmful to the environment.
They cited studies that showed TFA affects rabbit and rat foetuses.
If approved, the classification could lead to recommendations about how products containing TFA should be controlled.
Dangerous PFAS can enter our bloodstream
Known as 'forever chemicals', PFAS are manmade and used in non-stick water-proof products and firefighting foams.
They are ubiquitous, appearing in everything from cosmetics to clothing to products that scrub away grease and oil.
Due to their abundance, PFAS chemicals can contaminate drinking water and cause health problems when consumed by humans.
According to the US's Endocrine Society, PFAS chemicals affect our biology by mimicking fatty acids – the building blocks of fat in our bodies.
They also act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) due to their ability to interfere with hormone systems.
Germany currently holds the record for the highest TFA concentration ever recorded, with a sample from the Neckar River measuring 140,000ng per litre in 2016.
TFA is currently found in a wide range of products including cereal, bread, pasta, some personal care products and cleaning products.
It is also found in pesticides and in certain refrigerants used in air conditioners.
Experts warned TFA is persistent, with no viable way to remove it from the environment, and that concentrations are expected to increase.
The study, which was funded by environmental charity Fidra, concludes: 'The widespread detection of TFA in UK water samples provides compelling evidence of the presence of TFA and PFAS in UK waterways.
'These data should be further analysed to try and establish the drivers of TFA contamination in UK surface waters and routes for source control should be prioritised.'
The team added: 'We urgently need a PFAS restriction to prevent further contamination of forever chemicals.'
Currently there are no rules or regulations in place to identify or reduce the concentrations of TFA either in the environment or in drinking water supplies in the UK.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), which monitors and regulates drinking water quality in England and Wales, has just commissioned its own research.
'The information signposted by the University of York suggests that TFA can be formed from the degradation of PFAS-containing pesticides,' Ann Bunting, Principal Inspector at the DWI, said.
'It is important that the fate of pesticides and other chemicals in the environment is understood, in order to protect drinking water sources.'
A spokesman for Water UK, which represents the UK's water companies, said: 'We want to see PFAS, including TFA, banned and the development of a national plan to remove it from the environment which should be paid for by manufacturers.'
The 31 rivers found to contain toxic 'forever chemicals'
Northern Ireland
River Bann
River Cusher
River Lagan
Scotland
River Dee
River Don
River Nith
River Tay
River Ythan
River Almond
River Kelvin
Kilmarnock Water
River Forth
River Helmsdale
River Thurso
River Wick
England
River Blyth
River Derwent (Northumberland)
River Tyne
River Wear
River Wansbeck
River Aire
River Calder
River Colne
River Foss
River Ouse
River Derwent (Yorkshire)
Wales
Cardiff Bay
Melingruffydd stream
River Ogmore
Roath Park Brook
River Taff
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