Drinking water map shows where toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are found in the UK

By Rob Waugh | Yahoo!News | June 20, 2025

Read the full article by Rob Waugh (Yahoo!News)

"Traces of a chemical that researchers fear could harm human reproduction have been found in dozens of Britain's rivers, a new study has warned.

Researchers from York University found trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in 98% of locations in 32 rivers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

TFA is one of a family of more than 14,000 man-made chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), which have been used since the 1940s in everything from waterproof clothing to non-stick frying pans, as well as cosmetics and food packaging.

The chemicals can accumulate in people's bodies (as well as in the water we drink) and can lead to serious health issues including cancer, liver damage and harm to unborn children."