Concerns Rise Over 'Forever Chemicals' Contaminating UK Farmland

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A report has revealed alarming levels of PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in sewage sludge applied to agricultural land in the UK, raising public health and environmental concerns. Whistleblowers from the Environment Agency have claimed that existing regulatory systems to prevent such contamination are inadequate.

Samples analyzed from five regions showed that the concentrations of PFAS exceeded levels deemed acceptable for use on allotments, with specific instances of the banned chemical PFOS being present. The report indicates that these chemicals, which do not easily break down and have been linked to serious health issues including cancer, could enter the food chain through contaminated crops.

Currently, there are no statutory limits for PFAS in sewage sludge in the UK, unlike in some EU countries. The volume of sewage sludge produced for spreading has risen from approximately 791,000 tonnes in 2012 to nearly 819,000 tonnes in 2023, with a concurrent increase in the amount of land used for spreading such sludge.

Environment Agency insiders have expressed concerns that the water treatment processes are insufficient to eliminate PFAS and other hazardous compounds, especially given the daily influx of industrial waste into sewage systems, primarily in the form of waste leachate.

In response to the findings, industry representatives have called for a national ban on PFAS, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive monitoring and reform in sludge management practices to protect public health and the environment.

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