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A recent investigation by the BBC has uncovered that water companies have been instructed to address potentially harmful levels of persistent forever chemicals in the drinking water sources serving over six million individuals. These forever chemicals, known as PFAS, consist of numerous substances commonly found in everyday products. Despite being persistent pollutants that accumulate in the environment, a select few have been associated with an increased risk of severe illnesses.
The examination of 23 enforcement notices released by the Drinking Water Inspectorate regarding elevated PFAS levels that could pose a potential risk to human health revealed the extent of the issue and the number of people affected. While industry body Water UK expressed confidence in the safety of drinking water, it called for the prohibition of these chemicals to prevent further accumulation. Water companies have been mandated to test for 47 concerning forever chemicals in water provided to customers’ homes and drinking water sources since 2021, in response to mounting concerns about their impact.
Over the past four years, there have been approximately 1.7 million tests conducted for individual forever chemicals across the network, with at least 9,432 tests recording PFAS levels exceeding the threshold deemed a potential health hazard by the DWI. Apart from the identification of affected areas, the BBC also analyzed available data to establish the approximate number of impacted individuals, which totaled over six million people. It is crucial for water companies to take necessary actions to ensure the safety of drinking water when test results indicate elevated levels of forever chemicals.
Professionals like Dr. William Hartz, an environmental chemist specializing in PFAS, highlighted the pathways through which these substances enter the environment and subsequently contaminate water sources. Despite the banning of specific compounds like PFOA and PFOS due to their carcinogenic properties, the challenge remains in effectively removing them from the environment. While water quality is continuously monitored, concerns have been raised about the adequacy of current guidelines and regulations, especially in light of stricter treatment requirements and potential changes to the Drinking Water Inspectorate in response to an independent review commissioned by the government
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