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Forever chemicals in England's rivers fall by up to 30%
The Environment Agency published a report on 12 November 2026 showing that PFOS levels in English rivers fell by around 30% and PFOA by 29% between 2016 and 2025, with PFOS in freshwater fish down about 49%. The agency said restrictions on the two chemicals have helped drive the reductions, though it found PFAS remain widespread. The findings will feed into the UK's first PFAS Plan, published earlier in 2026.
Our readThe falls are real and show regulation can cut legacy PFAS, but the Environment Agency's own finding that exposure is still widespread shows the wider forever chemicals problem is far from solved.
Read the announcement at Environment Agency →
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