Stricter limits on the amount of ‘forever chemicals’ permitted in drinking water in the UK should be significantly changed to mirror those of other countries, the institution has said.

‘Forever chemicals’ or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of around 12,000 different chemicals commonly found in non-stick cookware, waterproof cosmetics, firefighting foams and products that resist grease and oil.

Despite their utility, they have been associated with dangerous health effects on humans, livestock and the environment. Some PFAS have even been linked to cancers, liver and thyroid disease, immune and fertility problems and developmental defects in unborn children.

The current guidance of PFAS in UK drinking water is 100 nanograms (ng) a litre for 47 individual types of PFAS, which the government has described as “exceptionally high”.

However, the RSC has asked to lower this to 10ng/l, to add more types of PFAS under the 100ng/l limit and...