Toxic ‘forever chemicals’, known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have been found in drinking water samples around the world, a new study has revealed. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham and Hainan University, found 10 ‘target’ PFAS chemicals in tap and bottled water available for consumption in major cities in the UK and China. Independent Informed. These chemicals are notorious for not degradable in nature and persisting in the environment. In their findings published in ACS ES&T WaterThe researchers found that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were found in more than 99 percent of their bottled water samples.
Further testing revealed varying levels of PFAS in bottled water from different countries, with purified water having lower concentrations than natural mineral water. Fortunately, most concentrations were below the health advisory levels of regulatory agencies. However, tap water samples tell a different story. Concentrations of PFAS were higher in Chinese tap water than in UK tap water, with Shenzhen samples exceeding the US Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contaminant level of 4 ng/L.
Researchers collected 153 samples from various sources for the study. For bottled water, they purchased 112 samples from local stores and online supermarkets in the UK and China. The bottled water samples included 89 still and 23 sparkling waters, packaged in both plastic and glass bottles. Additionally, 41 tap water samples were collected from homes in Birmingham, Worcester, Coventry and Derby, supplied by South Staffordshire Water and Severn Trent Water, while 14 tap water samples came from homes in Shenzhen, China.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are long-lasting chemicals that break down extremely slowly over time. They are commonly used in products such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent fabrics, stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics, and items that resist grease, water, and oil. While some PFAS have been banned in some countries, others are widely used.
These chemicals are already known to enter the body in various ways, for example through breathing, entering the body through food or drinking water, or being absorbed through the skin. These are known to have adverse health effects, such as reduced immune response to vaccination, impaired liver function, reduced birth weight, and increased risk of certain cancers.
How to reduce PFA?
Fortunately, PFAS levels in drinking water can be reduced by simple methods. Boiling water or using a carbon filter can remove up to 90% of these toxic chemicals.
”Our findings highlight the widespread presence of PFAS in drinking water and the effectiveness of simple treatment methods to reduce their levels. “Either using a simple water filtration jug or boiling water removes a large proportion of these substances,” said Professor Stuart Harradt of the University of Birmingham.
“Increased awareness of the presence of PFAS in both tap and bottled water could lead to more informed choices by consumers, thereby increasing the use of water purification methods,” said co-author Professor Yi Zheng of Southern University of Science and Technology. Will get a boost.”
