’Forever chemicals’ found above threshold levels in many water bodies in Europe

On 09/12/2024, the European Environment Agency issued an update regarding "’Forever chemicals’ found above threshold levels in many water bodies in Europe". The assessment shows that most monitored rivers, transitional and coastal waters, and a large part of lakes in Europe are polluted with at least one of the extremely persistent chemical compounds deemed harmful for people and nature. PFOS exceeded environmental quality standards at 59% of river sites, 35% of lake sites, and 73% of transitional and coastal water sites.