Rainwater, a natural source historically considered safe for human consumption, is no longer safe to drink anywhere in the world, according to a recent study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
The research led by scientists at Stockholm University has revealed that contamination by permanent chemicals poses a global threat to health.
The impact of ‘eternal chemicals’ in rainwater
The study identifies perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) as the main contributors to rainwater pollution around the world. These substances, known as ‘everlasting chemicals’, are compounds that are highly resistant to decomposition and have the ability to accumulate in the environment, animals and humans.
PFASs are present in a wide variety of everyday products, including:
- Food packaging.
- Waterproof clothing.
- Furniture and carpets.
- Pots and pans with non-stick coatings.
- Fire extinguishing foams.
- Electronics and some cosmetics.
These chemicals are released into the air during their production and use, and eventually leach into ocean water or are dispersed into the atmosphere, returning to soil and water bodies through rainfall.
Why is rainwater no longer safe to drink and hazardous to health?
Scientists assess PFAS levels in rainwater and soil in different parts of the world and compare them with limits set by regulatory agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The results show that PFAS levels far exceed the limits considered safe.
Ian Cousins, professor at Stockholm University’s Department of Environmental Sciences and lead author of the study, said: ‘Based on the latest US guidelines for PFOA in drinking water, rainwater from around the world would be considered unsafe to drink’.although rainwater is not directly consumed in many industrialised countries, in several regions of the world it is a vital source of drinking water, especially in rural or isolated communities.
The health risks of rainwater
Prolonged exposure to PFASs is associated with serious health problems, including:
- Cancer.
- Reduced fertility.
- High cholesterol.
- Decreased response to vaccines.
- Child development problems.
In addition, the scientists warn that, like microplastics, the long-term effects of PFASs on human health are difficult to prevent, due to the diversity of their impacts and their persistence in the body and the environment. The report also notes that the world’s soil is widely contaminated with these chemicals. Because of their ability to circulate efficiently between the oceans, atmosphere and land, levels of PFASs will remain dangerously high for decades, even if they are stopped immediately.
This finding underscores an urgent global challenge: to reduce the production and use of PFASs in industries and find solutions to mitigate their impact on the environment and human health.
