500 chemicals found in all 171 rivers tested

ALMOST 500 different chemicals, some of which are banned, have been detected across all 171 river and groundwater catchments tested in England.

- NADA FARHOUD

More than half of them are classified as very toxic, toxic or harmful to aquatic life, according to the European Chemicals Agency A banned, carcinogenic forever chemical was also among 20 "substances of very high concern" found. The Medway together with the Tees estuary, has the highest number of different chemicals in its waters but chemicals were found in all of England's rivers.

Campaigners warned of a toxic time bomb, calling this invisible pollution a silent waterway killer.