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BBC News
07-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
More than 100 chemicals polluting South harbours
Researchers have found more than 100 unique chemical pollutants in two UK harbours, raising concerns about their impact on analysis of seawater, seaweed and shellfish from Langstone and Chichester harbours found chemical pollutants surged more than 100-fold after sewage found 105 unique pharmaceuticals, pesticides and illegal week Environment Agency data showed raw sewage was released into England's rivers and seas for a record 3,610,000 hours in 2024. The researchers were from Brunel University of London, the University of Portsmouth and Imperial College London, working with citizen scientists from the Clean Harbours study took 339 samples from 21 spots in the harbours, both Sites of Special Scientific Interest, during the spring and autumn of can slip through some wastewater treatment plants throughout the year but the autumn sampling coincided with rainy days, which caused combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to drive sewage into surface waters. "CSO discharges were an obvious source of chemical pollution in these waters," said Dr Thomas Miller from Brunel University of London, who led the study. "Our study found that some chemicals increased by over 100-fold in water after these discharges, making them a high risk to aquatic wildlife." An insecticide regularly used on domestic pets in flea and tick medication, Imidacloprid, was the highest risk based on levels found in surface water."Out of so many chemicals detected, the presence of pet tick and flea treatments in the harbours was especially concerning," said Dr Leon Barron, from Imperial College London."We urgently need to reassess the practice of blanket preventative treatment of our dogs and cats to help bring the risk down."The team's work will be published in the journal Environment International on Alex Ford, from the University of Portsmouth, added: "The impact of these contaminants we are yet to fully understand, but it's clear from our data that they increase substantially under storm events which discharge untreated sewage." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Concern for wildlife as 100-fold increase in chemicals found in harbours
Chemical pollution has increased by 100-fold in the waters of two south coast harbours which are home to sites of special scientific interest (SSSI), according to a new study. Researchers from three universities have analysed the waters of Chichester and Langstone harbours and discovered 105 different pharmaceuticals, pesticides and illegal drugs including an insecticide used as a common pet flea treatment. And the environmental scientists found that some of the chemicals increased by over 100-fold following rainy days which led to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the harbours which are on the border of Hampshire and West Sussex. The team, made up of researchers from Brunel University, London, University of Portsmouth and Imperial College London, says that they are worried about the impact on the local wildlife in the 21 SSSIs in the area. Dr Thomas Miller, from Brunel University, said: 'CSO discharges were an obvious source of chemical pollution in these waters. 'Our study found that some chemicals increased by over 100-fold in water after these discharges, making them a high risk to aquatic wildlife.' The study, carried out with the help of the Clean Harbours Partnership and published in the journal Environment International, examined 339 water samples which revealed 67 pharmaceuticals, 29 pesticides and nine recreational drugs. It comes after the Environment Agency revealed that storm overflows spilled sewage into England's rivers, lakes and coasts for new highs of more than 3.61 million hours in 2024. The researchers found that seaweed soaked up more chemicals than shellfish and the insecticide imidacloprid, used a pet flea treatment, created the highest risk based on levels found in surface water. Dr Leon Barron, from Imperial College London, said: 'Out of so many chemicals detected, the presence of pet tick and flea treatments in the harbours was especially concerning. 'We urgently need to reassess the practice of blanket preventative treatment of our dogs and cats to help bring the risk down.' The team also found the presence of 1,3-diphenylguanidine, which is used in rubber production and which they say could indicate pollution from tyre-wear particles and road run-off after rainfall events. Lead author Jasmin Uhlhorn, a PhD student from Brunel University, said: 'The research underscores the complexity of chemical mixtures present in transitional and coastal water systems, highlighting the need for more comprehensive monitoring to investigate their sources, including the impacts of CSO discharges. 'While studies on chemical pollution in these environments are limited, the findings suggest that the true risks of chemical mixtures may be underestimated, particularly for marine species.' Professor Alex Ford, from the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Marine Sciences, said: 'The impact of these contaminants we are yet to fully understand, but it's clear from our data that they increase substantially under storm events which discharge untreated sewage.' CHP co-founder Rob Bailey said: 'It is concerning to see such a large cocktail of chemicals being detected and hear their effects are largely unknown. 'As a community-based organisation we will continue to push for better monitoring of these protected marine habitats used by our members.'
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Concern for wildlife as 100-fold increase in chemicals found in harbours
Chemical pollution has increased by 100-fold in the waters of two south coast harbours which are home to sites of special scientific interest (SSSI), according to a new study. Researchers from three universities have analysed the waters of Chichester and Langstone harbours and discovered 105 different pharmaceuticals, pesticides and illegal drugs including an insecticide used as a common pet flea treatment. And the environmental scientists found that some of the chemicals increased by over 100-fold following rainy days which led to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the harbours which are on the border of Hampshire and West Sussex. The team, made up of researchers from Brunel University, London, University of Portsmouth and Imperial College London, says that they are worried about the impact on the local wildlife in the 21 SSSIs in the area. Dr Thomas Miller, from Brunel University, said: 'CSO discharges were an obvious source of chemical pollution in these waters. 'Our study found that some chemicals increased by over 100-fold in water after these discharges, making them a high risk to aquatic wildlife.' The study, carried out with the help of the Clean Harbours Partnership and published in the journal Environment International, examined 339 water samples which revealed 67 pharmaceuticals, 29 pesticides and nine recreational drugs. It comes after the Environment Agency revealed that storm overflows spilled sewage into England's rivers, lakes and coasts for new highs of more than 3.61 million hours in 2024. The researchers found that seaweed soaked up more chemicals than shellfish and the insecticide imidacloprid, used a pet flea treatment, created the highest risk based on levels found in surface water. Dr Leon Barron, from Imperial College London, said: 'Out of so many chemicals detected, the presence of pet tick and flea treatments in the harbours was especially concerning. 'We urgently need to reassess the practice of blanket preventative treatment of our dogs and cats to help bring the risk down.' The team also found the presence of 1,3-diphenylguanidine, which is used in rubber production and which they say could indicate pollution from tyre-wear particles and road run-off after rainfall events. Lead author Jasmin Uhlhorn, a PhD student from Brunel University, said: 'The research underscores the complexity of chemical mixtures present in transitional and coastal water systems, highlighting the need for more comprehensive monitoring to investigate their sources, including the impacts of CSO discharges. 'While studies on chemical pollution in these environments are limited, the findings suggest that the true risks of chemical mixtures may be underestimated, particularly for marine species.' Professor Alex Ford, from the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Marine Sciences, said: 'The impact of these contaminants we are yet to fully understand, but it's clear from our data that they increase substantially under storm events which discharge untreated sewage.' CHP co-founder Rob Bailey said: 'It is concerning to see such a large cocktail of chemicals being detected and hear their effects are largely unknown. 'As a community-based organisation we will continue to push for better monitoring of these protected marine habitats used by our members.'
BBC News
12-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Scarborough swimmers test sea water amid quality concerns
Scarborough swimmers have been shown how to test water from seaside bathing spots following concerns about the water quality at the town's North and South Bay. Scientists from Imperial College London encouraged residents to bring their own water samples to an event at Gallows Close Centre in the town. Testing kits revealed different types of pollution in the water, ranging from sewage to run-off from farms. Organisers said the session would help beachgoers to make informed decisions about swimming in the water off the North Yorkshire coast. Samples of water at Scarborough's North Bay showed the standard had dropped from "good" to "sufficient" and South Bay retained the lowest rating of "poor", according to the latest data from the Environment Leon Barron, from Imperial College London, said the testing event was a form of "citizen science", which would help residents improve their understanding of issues with water quality. "They know their communities and their areas best, so they come in with all that knowledge we don't have and we train them how to test a sample," he said."We explain what it means and they can continue to test thereafter."In coastal towns, Dr Barron said they would look for things like wastewater and sewage in the samples."We also might want to look out for run-off from agriculture or industrial parks," he added. Some of the samples would be sent off to Imperial College London to look at more detailed chemistry and other contaminants in the water, such as caffeine. Sue Baxter, who regularly bodyboards at North and South Bay, attended the event."North Bay always was very good but this last year the rating has gone down, which was a real issue," she Baxter said she had "real worries" over the decline in water her sample alongside swimmer Janet Wilson, the women found fertiliser from farms in the water."We do monitor sewage discharge," Ms Wilson said."We always wash our kit afterwards, have a shower and don't put our heads under," Ms Baxter added."We had one lady who was very ill when she put her head under."Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
