'Forever chemicals' - linked to some cancers - found in rivers and surface water sites across the country

Published: 19:12, 9 July 2026 | Updated: 19:16, 9 July 2026 Harmful material was found at 89 per cent of surface water sites across Scotland last year, officials have said. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said it detected polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the locations and at 57 per cent of its groundwater sites. PFAS, which have been linked to certain types of cancer, are known as ‘forever chemicals’ as some of them can take thousands of years to break down naturally. Sepa said no samples exceeded relevant environmental or groundwater standards. The data covers samples taken in 2025 from 97 surface water sites, such as lochs and rivers, and 37 groundwater sites.  'Groundwater is stored in the spaces between soil, sand and rocks, as well as in underground reservoirs.' Sepa has been monitoring PFAS since 2009, and said their concentrations in Scotland are generally lower than those detected in England. Harmful materials have been found in lochs and rivers across the country The researchers concluded in the 2025 PFAS Water Quality Monitoring Report that further monitoring should continue this year, and potentially be expanded.  Professor Paul Dale, Sepa chief regulator, said: ‘PFAS are being detected more widely around the world and, given how extensively they have been used for decades, their presence in Scotland’s water environment is not unexpected. ‘It is understandable that people have questions about PFAS and what these findings mean. ‘This expanded monitoring programme gives us a clearer understanding of where PFAS are present across Scotland and helps identify where further investigation and future regulatory effort may be needed.’ However, he said that ‘monitoring data alone does not determine human health risk and should not be interpreted as evidence of direct impacts on human health’. Professor Dale added: ‘PFAS are a complex environmental challenge that will require long-term action across governments, regulators and industry. PFAS are a collection of thousands of chemicals used in everyday life because of their resistance to heat, water and oil. They are now present in almost everyone’s blood, and evidence links PFAS with an increased risk of certain cancers, immune suppression, fertility and development problems. Humans ingest the chemicals through drinking water, dust, diet, inhalation and absorption through skin contact. PFAS are found in the lining of nonstick cookware and food packaging, while a study by environmental charity Fidra in 2020 discovered PFAS in packaging in eight out of nine UK supermarkets – and all takeaways tested. They can also enter the food chain through pesticides, contaminated water sources and sewage fertiliser for farmland.