A chemical that is worrying of scientists can have an effect on human reproduction, found in rivers across the UK.
Researchers at the University of York analyzed samples from 32 rivers in all 4 countries in the UK and found traffyosetic acid (TFA) marks at 98% of testing places.
TFA is the one known as “chemical forever”, which means it breaks very slowly in nature, and therefore accumulate over time.
Along with other “Forever Chemicals”, also known as PFAS, how much danger to human health and which concentrations are still being researched.
But scientists in Germany say that the effects of TFA on animals have been seen, they want it to be classified as a toxic for breeding.
TFA is formed when other “forever chemicals” are found in synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and refrigerants, partially broken.
“This molecule is everywhere,” Alastair Boxol, Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of York, who carried out research, told the BBC. “We will all be drinking TFA -rich water every day – so we will be exposed throughout our lifetime. It is a long -term, low level risk which is a big concern.”
This new study The environmental charity was funded by French and included sample in 5 rivers in Wales, 3 in North Ireland 14 in Scotland and 10 in the north of England. The highest concentration was recorded on the Calvin River in Glasgow.
The river Ness, which flows from Ness to More Farth, was the only river that was sample to show the TFA marks.
Recent studies in the European Union have found TFA wide, including alcohol and food, human blood and breast milk.
Officials in Germany are looking at the TFA level with interest in drinking water. In the last two decades, its concentrations have increased four times and researchers are trying to establish what effect – if any – it can be on human health.
Citing scientific studies showing TFA affecting rabbits and rats, German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) is European Chemical Agency (ECHA) applies) To classify TFA Toxic to breeding and harmful to the environmentThis can eventually lead to the recommendations being made in the European Union of how TFA products should be controlled.
“Currently, consuming contaminated water or food with TFA has no expected adverse health effects,” said Andreas Hensel, president of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BFR). “The new classification is an important step in preparing further measures to ensure that it remains a matter of future”.
There are currently no rules or regulations to identify or reduce TFA concentrations in the supply of drinking water in the environment or in the UK.
But aware of concerns, drinking water Inspectors, which monitors and control the quality of drinking water in England and Wales, have just started their research. This will see how much TFA is already in drinking water and what is the risk – if any – it poses.
A spokesman for the Drinking Water Inspector told the BBC, “Information signed by York University suggests that TFA can be made from the erosion of pesticides with PFAS.” “It is important that to protect the sources of drinking water, the fate of pesticides and other chemicals in the environment is understood.”
“We want to look at PFA, in which TFA, restricted and remove the development of a national plan from the environment, which should be paid by manufacturers,” a spokesperson of Water UK, a spokesperson of the UK, who represents the UK Water Companies.
