Government Tackles PFAs: Legal Limits Proposed

The UK government has introduced its first-ever strategy to tackle "forever chemicals," known as PFAs, proposing legal limits for them in drinking water. These chemicals are prevalent in everyday items and persist for centuries, accumulating in organisms and posing risks.

Government monitoring detected PFAs in 80% of surface water, half of groundwater, and all fish samples. The new plan, published on Tuesday, outlines steps for various bodies to understand and minimize PFAs entry and spread.

Key proposals include a consultation later this year on establishing a statutory limit for PFAs in England's public water supply. Ministers assert the UK's drinking water quality is high, with water companies already reporting high PFAs concentrations. A legal limit would empower regulators to take enforcement action.

The strategy also includes research into PFAs' ecosystem impacts, assessment of estuaries and coastal waters, and developing safer alternatives for products like waterproof clothing and food packaging. A public awareness campaign is also planned.

However, green groups have criticized the plan as "disappointing," citing a lack of binding phase-outs for manufacturing and everyday uses, and no commitment to match the EU's ban. Concerns were also raised about the omission of PFAs pesticides from the plan.