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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Rachel Salvidge and Leana Hosea

‘Forever chemical’ in English tap water samples carcinogenic, WHO rules

Household tap with water coming out of it
PFOA was detected in almost 1,000 drinking water sources sampled between 2006 and 2022. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

A substance found in hundreds of drinking water samples across England has been categorised as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The move will increase pressure on the UK government to take action on “forever chemicals”.

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