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The UK government recently responded to the Environmental Audit Committee's (EAC's) recommendations to address PFAS pollution in the UK. Their response raises serious concerns for future action on PFAS in the UK. 🔗 Details in our latest blog:

Head in the sand: The UK government’s response to Parliament’s PFAS inquiry

CHEM Trust

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📣 This September, we’ll be partnering with @theriverstrust.bsky.social and @fidrango.bsky.social at this year’s Wild Summit for an event all about #ChemicalPollution! Find out more about Wild Summit and sign up for tickets here 👉 buff.ly/FLfVsug

The Swedish Government opened a consultation on a proposed national ban on PFAS, in certain consumer products. If adopted, the proposed ban would come into force on 1 January 2028 & cover certain consumer products including clothing, kitchenware, cosmetic products and ski wax.

🧪 PFAS has been found at 89% of surface water sites and 57% of groundwater sites tested in Scotland, in recent monitoring undertaken by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. The monitoring took place in 2025 and tested 283 samples in total. More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/yXNCupY

🧪 PFOS, a type of PFAS, has been found at 77% of 97 surface water sites sampled in Scotland. The 2025 sampling was by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. 🏥PFOS is classified by WHO as possibly cancer-causing and was globally restricted in 2009. More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/yXNCupY

👏 The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reduced the safe level for exposure to trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). TFA is a very persistent and mobile chemical that is one of many PFAS. It mainly comes from the breakdown of other PFAS, such as those in some pesticides and some F-gases.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 PFAS has been found in water at 80% of 134 sites tested across Scotland. The sampling was carried out by Scottish Environment Protection Agency in 2025, and looked at both surface water (rivers and lochs) and groundwater. More in our news story 👉

Are Scottish rivers and lochs contaminated with banned PFAS?

July 23, 2026 By

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➡️ In case you missed it, last week our toxic-free teddy headed over to Parliament to put the spotlight on harmful chemicals in children’s toys. Chemicals that science now links to serious health effects can still legally be used in children’s toys in the UK. Read more 👉 buff.ly/0Y5qbaW

Photo of teddy wearing a t-shirt with the words: Toxic Free Toys

Last week, we hosted a parliamentary event with the Child Accident Prevention Trust on toxic chemicals in children’s toys, sponsored by Ruth Jones MP, ex-Shadow Minister for chemicals. Clinical and scientific experts spoke to MPs on why the UK must match the EU’s new updated toy safety regulation.

🤔 A large survey of 198 Danish industrial companies found that 1 in 4 are unsure if they used PFAS or not. The survey was carried out by the Danish Technological Institute (DTI). DTI also highlight 3 key actions to help companies phase out PFAS. 👉 More in our #ToxicFree4EU: buff.ly/jWeybT4

👏 Last week’s parliamentary event with the Child Accident Prevention Trust saw experts on harmful chemicals in children’s toys engage in discussions with MPs from constituencies across the country. Read more about the event in our latest news story 👉 buff.ly/0Y5qbaW

Photo of 5 hosts/experts in front of banners at Toxic Free Toys event

☀️ 9 out of 10 sunscreens bought from Chinese e-commerce platforms and tested by UFC-Que Choisir were found to be non-compliant either as they contained banned chemicals or made fraudulent claims. 👉 More in our #ToxicFree4EU: buff.ly/jWeybT4

🧸 Our toxic-free teddy made his debut in the UK Parliament last week at our joint event with the Child Accident Prevention Trust. The event raised the issue of harmful chemicals in children’s toys and called for the UK to update its toy safety regulation. More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/0Y5qbaW

The UK Parliament had an unexpected visitor

Last week, CHEM Trust’s newest member, our toxic-free teddy, had his first outing to UK Parliament. His mission? To inform MPs of the harmful chemicals hiding in children’s toys and why it’s time for…

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“… there’s no escape from it.” That’s how Lancashire resident, Sam Hammond, describes the stress of dealing with PFAS contamination, after a nearby factory released an estimated 49 tonnes of carcinogenic chemical PFOA, over more than 50 years.

Trading Standards officers recently recovered counterfeit 'squishy' dumpling toys following warnings that they may contain harmful chemicals, adding to a growing list of recalls involving popular children's toys.

31 NGOs have asked Commission Executive Vice-president Séjourné to reform or discontinue the Critical Chemicals Alliance, claiming it risks locking the EU into continued dependence on fossil fuels instead of supporting cleaner and safer chemical production. 👉 More in #ToxicFree4EU: buff.ly/eGHVJtn

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🧪PFOS, a type of PFAS, has been found at levels 43,000 times higher than environmental standards in a stream in Oxfordshire. PFOS is classified by WHO as possibly cancer-causing and was restricted globally in 2009. More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/hwMQKVx

MEP Pietro Fiocchi has announced he is preparing an objection to the restriction of lead in certain ammunition. 👏 Member States’ representatives in the REACH committee voted in support of the restriction in June. 👉 More in our #ToxicFree4EU: buff.ly/eGHVJtn

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The new Danish Environment Minister Maria Reumert Gjerding has called out the deregulation of health protection linked with the Chemicals Omnibus. She has announced that Denmark will vote against the deal reached last month. 👉 More in our #ToxicFree4EU: buff.ly/eGHVJtn #chemicals #EU

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🧪 Recent testing has found high levels of forever chemicals in a stream in Oxfordshire. 🛫 The testing site is ~400m from Upper Heyford, which is home to a former RAF base active in WW2. More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/hwMQKVx

Photo of a river surrounded by plants and trees

🧪High levels of PFAS have been found in a stream near an old RAF base in Oxfordshire. Campaigners and a local MP say there is a need to test the environment and residents to understand the extent of the contamination and its impact on locals. More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/hwMQKVx #PFAS

Former RAF site suspected source of forever chemical pollution

High levels of PFAS have been found in a stream near an old RAF base in Upper Heyford. There are concerns the site could be the source of the contamination. The site has undergone housing development…

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@surfridereurope.bsky.social sampling has found PFOS at levels above EU standards in half of the surface water they tested across France. 80 coastal sites and 27 lake and river sites were sampled in 2025. TFA was detected in all samples. 👉 More in our #ToxicFree4EU: buff.ly/eGHVJtn

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Job opportunity at CHEM Trust! 🌍 We’re expanding our international work and are looking for an expert on global #chemicals science and policy to join us. Check out our blog post for more information and how to apply: buff.ly/bPS6uPk 🗓️ Apply by 9am CET on 16th July. #JobAlert #ScienceCareers