The PFAS contamination problem

Why are PFAS a problem?

PFAS are a family of synthetic chemicals that have been used for decades in water‑repellent textiles, non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and countless other industrial processes. Highly resistant to heat, water and chemical degradation, they persist indefinitely in the environment. 

PFAS are extremely mobile in aquatic systems, they resist natural degradation and can accumulate in sediments, aquatic organisms and our bodies. Exposure has been linked to cancers, thyroid disorders, high cholesterol, pregnancy-related hypertension, developmental effects and weakened immune response. 

As consumer and government awareness of these risks grows, regulatory bodies across the UK and Europe are intensifying monitoring, setting stricter limits and requiring the water and manufacturing industries to act. 

To learn more about how to replace PFAS in your products and processes, download our guide. 

PFAS in the UK water system

Water contamination is at the heart of this challenge. PFAS migrate easily through rivers, lakes, groundwater and drinking water networks, spreading far from their sources. The PFAS already in our environment is now a key area of concern. Recent findings across the UK highlight the scale of contamination: 

• January 2025: An Environment Agency report found 10,000 high-risk sites contaminated with PFAS. 

• June 2025: A survey by University of York found trifluoroacetic acid (a PFAS) in 98% of 54 river-sites across the UK, reporting some of the highest levels globally. 

• July 2025: An Environment Agency test showed 110 of 117 English rivers, lakes or ponds exceeded proposed PFAS safety thresholds. 

• August 2025: British Geological Survey reported rising PFAS in shallow soils across England. 

• September 2025: An investigation into PFAS levels at 17 UK airports (which are legacy firefighting foam testing sites) showed levels thousands of times above proposed EU benchmarks. 

• September 2025: UK Environment Agency confirmed high-temperature incineration as currently the only commercially viable destruction method, highlighting urgent need for alternatives. 

• November 2025: Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) issued enforcement notices in England and Wales for untreated water sources serving >6 million people. 

These findings underscore that PFAS already present in the environment now pose the most significant long-term risk. 

The PFAS policy landscape

Policy momentum is accelerating across the UK and Europe. While a few PFAS compounds are already restricted under the Stockholm Convention, many are now under scrutiny with the potential for evolving regulations. 

In the UK, under UK REACH, the Health and Safety Executive prioritised PFAS in firefighting foams. In August 2025, a national consultation was launched on foam-specific restrictions, and decommissioning of legacy foam stocks is now mandatory. 

The DWI has escalated its guidance on PFAS levels, now requiring routine monitoring for dozens of PFAS, reporting when combined concentrations exceed 0.1 μg/​L, and risk‑based action to reduce levels below this value. 

The Royal Society of Chemistry is not only advocating for a tenfold reduction in the acceptable PFAS limits (to 10 ng/​L for any single PFAS) but also enhanced monitoring requirements across water systems and broader testing for additional PFAS beyond the current 47 monitored substances. 

The UK Environmental Audit Committee also launched an enquiry to assess whether enough is being done in the UK to address PFAS risks. 

On 1st December 2025, the Government also published its updated Environmental Improvement Plan, which includes a commitment to develop a dedicated PFAS Action Plan by 2026. 

In Europe, a joint Universal PFAS Restriction Proposal was submitted to the European Chemicals Agency in January 2023, covering production, use and sale of PFAS and PFAS-containing products. The proposal received record consultation responses, with final decisions expected around 2027. 

PFAS are also being incorporated into water quality standards through the EU Drinking Water Directive and Water Framework Directive, including limits on the sum of PFAS rather than just individual compounds.

PFAS contamination demands urgent attention

PFAS contamination is no longer a hidden technical issue; quickly becoming a mainstream environmental and public health concern. With evidence revealing widespread contamination across UK water bodies and soils, regulators are moving at pace. Understanding the scale of the challenge is the essential first step. 

In Part 2 of this series, we will explore the technologies currently available to detect, remove and destroy PFAS.