Archive for the ‘Pollution’ Category

‘Forever chemical’ in English tap water samples carcinogenic, WHO rules

Posted by Watershed

PFAS found in hundreds of drinking water samples across England has been categorised as carcinogenic by the  World Health Organisation. The move will increase pressure on the UK government to take action on “forever chemicals”.

PFOA has been linked to cancer for some time but a growing body of evidence means it has now been upgraded to “category one”, which means it is “carcinogenic to humans”, according to the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

A recent report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) shows that approximately 12,000 samples taken from drinking water sources contain at least one PFAS of some kind.

 

‘Forever chemicals’ found in drinking water sources across England

Posted by Watershed

Potentially toxic “forever chemicals” have been detected in the drinking water sources at 17 of 18 England’s water companies, with 11,853 samples testing positive, something experts say they are “extremely alarmed” by.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – a group of 10,000 or so human-made chemicals widely used in industrial processes, firefighting foams and consumer products – were found in samples of raw and treated water tested by water companies last year, according to the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), the Guardian and Watershed Investigations has found.

Scientists call on ministers to cut limits for ‘forever chemicals’ in UK tap water

Posted by Watershed

Acceptable levels of “forever chemicals” in drinking water should be reduced tenfold and a new national chemicals agency created to protect public health, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has told the UK government.

The RSC has produced a map using data published in the Guardian with Watershed Investigations in February, revealing that a “third of the watercourses tested contain medium- or high-risk levels of PFAS, according to the DWI’s own classification system”.

Watershed at Labour Party Conference 2023

Posted by Watershed

Rachel Salvidge gave a speech on chemical threats to rivers and seas at the Labour Party Conference, alongside shadow environment minister Ruth Jones and Francesca Ginley from the Marine Conservation Society at an event hosted by Labour’s environment campaign, SERA.

Unmonitored toxic road runoff polluting rivers

Posted by Watershed

A toxic cocktail of damaging chemicals created by road pollution is flowing into England’s rivers and no regulator is monitoring the scale of its impact on wildlife or public health.

More than 18,000 outfalls, such as pipes, and about 7,700 soakaways managed by National Highways discharge rainwater potentially contaminated with heavy metals, hydrocarbons, microplastics and other chemicals from the main road network into rivers and on to land.

Fury as national health check of England’s waters faces six-year wait

Posted by Watershed

The government quietly released partial data on the health of England’s water bodies, opting not to undertake any testing for problem chemicals, or to assess the condition of any groundwater, coastal, estuary or canal waters until 2025. The last full assessment of England’s water bodies was completed in 2019 and while the drop in testing is in line with the Water Framework Directive guidelines, choosing to do so at time when pollution is widespread and public concern at an all time high, is questionable.

Farm pollution blocks new homes across country

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Pollution from farms has prevented housing developments being approved by 35 councils, analysis of Environment Agency data by The Times and Watershed reveals.

Of the known reasons rivers failed to meet standards, 44% were reported to be due to farm pollution and 21% a result of the water sector.

The Independent and the Evening Standard used Watershed’s analysis to bolster their stories about the abolition of water protection rules.

Sewage spills blamed as E coli forces Cornish shellfish sites to close

Posted by Watershed

Watershed worked with the Guardian and ITV News to expose high levels of E coli in oysters around the country. “Very high” levels of E coli found in oysters and mussels have led to the closure of 11 shellfish production zones in Cornwall. In an email seen by Watershed Investigations, the Cornwall Port Health Authority told food business operators they “must not collect the affected animals from this area”.

What you need to know about PFAS

Posted by Watershed

Internazionale Magazine, the global current affairs weekly, picks up Watershed’s PFAS work from the Forever Pollution Project. The article look at the most common sources of exposure to the potential consequences for human health and the environment.

Firm releases almost 800kg of ‘forever chemical’ a year into Lancashire river

Posted by Watershed

Exclusive: A chemicals company is releasing large quantities of a PFAS “forever chemical” described as being “very persistent, mobile and toxic” into the River Wyre in Lancashire each year, and is not breaking any rules.

Watershed - Investigative Journalism