The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified a substance discovered in numerous drinking water samples across England as carcinogenic, heightening the pressure on the UK government to address "forever chemicals", The Guardian reported.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is part of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) family, encompassing around 10,000 chemicals utilized in various products such as cosmetics, clothing, food packaging, industrial processes, and firefighting foams.

Although PFOA and another family member, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), have faced restrictions, they persist in the environment.

Studies have linked PFAS chemicals to cancers, immunodeficiencies, reproductive issues, and developmental effects in children. Due to their resistance to metabolic breakdown, these chemicals accumulate in humans and animals over time, as per the report.

UK government criticized for delayed action on PFAS

PFOA, previously associated with cancer, has now been elevated to "category one," indicating it is "carcinogenic to humans," as per the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The Drinking Water Inspectorate's (DWI) recent report reveals that around 12,000 samples from drinking water sources contain at least one PFAS.

The highest concentration of PFOA detected in a drinking water source exceeded the DWI's maximum limit for tap water. PFOS, considered a "possible carcinogen" by the IARC, was found at levels as high as 1,869ng/l, although these levels are diluted before reaching taps.

Watershed Investigations' analysis of Environment Agency and water company data showed PFOA detected in nearly 1,000 drinking water sources between 2006 and 2022. In tap water samples across England, PFOA was found in over half of the 45 samples taken, below 10ng/l, considered "low risk" by the DWI.

England lagging in drinking water limits

The UK government has faced criticism for delays in addressing PFAS compared to the EU, which is considering stricter regulations for all 10,000 substances in the PFAS family, the report further noted.

England lags behind the EU in drinking water limits, with the DWI allowing up to 100ng/l for PFOA and PFOS, while the EU applies a limit of 100ng/l for the sum of 20 PFAS. Denmark has set a limit of 2ng/l for four individual PFAS, and the US Environmental Protection Agency has proposed dropping limits to 4ng/l.

Dr Patrick Byrne from Liverpool John Moores University said as quoted by The Guardian: “Recently the Royal Society of Chemistry called on the government to reduce the maximum allowable level of individual PFAS such as PFOA in drinking water from 100ng/l to 10ng/l. This is to bring the UK more in line with other countries such as the US, who are proposing a maximum allowable concentration for PFOA of 4ng/l."

“UK regulations and environmental standards must keep pace with the scientific and medical evidence to protect our drinking water and us,” Byrne added.

In the same context, Hannah Evans, representing the chemicals NGO Fidra, expressed deep concern over the categorizations, emphasizing the immediate necessity for regulatory measures on PFAS, The Guardian added.

She stressed the importance of learning from past instances like PFOS and PFOA and swiftly transitioning toward an economy free of PFAS.

Philippe Grandjean, professor and chair of environmental medicine at the University of Southern Denmark, said as quoted by The Guardian that PFAS chemicals were “transferred from a pregnant mother through her placenta to her foetus, and they are excreted in her milk. Thus, a breastfed infant receives a relatively large dose … so we see abnormalities like elevated cholesterol and poor glucose metabolism in children with elevated PFAS exposures. In addition, the immune system is harmed. This has implications for infectious disease but may also be of importance for cancer development, where immune cells are supposed to remove abnormal cells.”

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