Global Study Finds PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Contaminate Freshwater Reservoirs Differently Across Continents

A peer-reviewed study published in the journal Water Research analysed PFAS contamination in 74 freshwater reservoirs spanning five continents, finding the synthetic chemicals — known as 'forever chemicals' for their persistence — present globally but following three distinct patterns.

Europe and eastern China show the longest-running contamination, dominated by short-chain PFAS compounds linked to industrial discharge and atmospheric deposition, with the highest levels of bioaccumulation recorded in fish tissue. Asian reservoirs recorded the most frequent detections in surface water, driven by ongoing industrial activity and urban runoff involving both PFOA and PFOS. In Africa, some reservoirs showed unexpectedly high contamination despite being severely underrepresented in monitoring studies — only five African reservoirs were included — raising concern that exposure risks in low- and middle-income countries are underappreciated.

The study's authors warn that the widespread shift toward short-chain PFAS as replacements for restricted long-chain compounds is not a safe solution. While less prone to bioaccumulation, short-chain variants are highly mobile, persistent, and resistant to conventional water treatment.

Researchers used a purpose-built 'DIM' workflow to compensate for the fragmented and geographically uneven data that currently hampers global PFAS surveillance. They called for international collaboration under a One Health framework — balancing human, animal, and ecosystem health — to close monitoring gaps and strengthen PFAS governance worldwide.