Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 47 mins ago
PFOS and PFOA levels in English rivers fall by nearly a third
The Environment Agency says two toxic forever chemicals have fallen in England’s rivers over the past decade.
PFOS levels dropped by 30%, while PFOA levels fell by 29%.
These chemicals are types of PFAS, a large group used in products such as frying pans and firefighting foam because they resist oil and water.
They break down very slowly in nature, which is why they are called forever chemicals.
Research linked PFOS and PFOA to tissue damage in animals and higher rates of some serious health conditions, including testicular cancer.
Restrictions on their use followed, with PFOS largely banned in the UK in 2010 and PFOA in 2020.
Levels in freshwater fish fell by 49%, but thousands of other PFAS remain in use.
The regulator says the figures show the need to monitor and regulate all PFAS more closely.
Concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in English rivers fell by 30% and 29%, respectively, over the past decade, according to Environment Agency data.
Levels of the two chemicals in freshwater fish fell by 49%.
The decline has been attributed to restrictions on their use, although the articles note that other PFAS chemicals are appearing in the environment.
The Environment Agency says the findings underline the need to monitor and regulate PFAS more broadly.
- Who
- The Environment Agency reported the findings. Researchers and environmental advocates also commented.
- What
- PFOS and PFOA concentrations in English rivers fell by 30% and 29%, respectively, over the past decade.
- When
- The data covers the past decade. The Environment Agency report was published on Thursday.
- Where
- English rivers; the data also covers freshwater fish.
- Why
- The decline has been attributed to stricter restrictions on the chemicals’ use. The sources say PFOS and PFOA have been linked to health and environmental harms.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
International restrictions on the use of PFOS began under the UN Stockholm Convention.
PFOS was all but banned in the UK.
International restrictions on the use of PFOA began under the UN Stockholm Convention.
PFOA was all but banned in the UK.
A UK ban on PFOA in firefighting foams came into force.
The Environment Agency report on PFAS levels was published.
- PFOS in English rivers
- Down 30% over the past decade
- PFOA in English rivers
- Down 29% over the past decade
- PFOS and PFOA in freshwater fish
- Levels down 49%
- PFAS chemicals
- Around 10,000 are defined as PFAS
- PFOA in UK firefighting foams
- Ban came into force in 2025
2 sources
What people are saying
It's brilliant to see how far we have come in the last 10 years
a really positive move
complicate the story
These findings add to the growing weight of evidence that PFAS pollution must be tackled at source if we are to protect our environment and our health