Almost all drinking water contains 'forever chemicals'

Long-lasting toxins known as "forever chemicals" have been found in samples of drinking water from across the world, a new study has revealed.

- TARA COBHAM

Scientists discovered PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances), chemicals that do not break down in nature, in more than 99 per cent of bottled water samples sourced from 15 countries around the globe, with 10 "target" PFAS detected in tap and bottled water in major UK and Chinese cities.

Called "forever chemicals" because they can take centuries to break down in the environment, PFAS can accumulate in the bodies of living organisms and have been linked to severe health conditions. They are used in different products like pesticides, non-stick cookware, food packaging and cosmetics, and can enter wastewater through many day-to-day activities. Government regulation has banned some, while the use of others is still widespread, with their toxic effects yet to be fully investigated.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, and Hainan University, Haikou, published their findings on Thursday, with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) being the PFAS found in almost all samples of 15 countries' bottled water.