Fidra

A recent study found artificial pitches leach a toxic chemical fatal to salmon. The chemical 6PPD-quinone was consistently detected in water runoff from rubber crumb infill. The research began after rubber crumb was found washing into a nearby stream where dead salmon were reported 🔽 tr.ee/ErjzRY

In the first of two #CIWEM webinars on PFAS, we had a cross-sector panel of industry experts discuss the key PFAS challenges, and importance of a systems-wide approach. @envagency.bsky.social @cranfielduni.bsky.social @fidrango.bsky.social @lshtm.bsky.social Watch now 👇 youtu.be/TG0ehHLQz0M

Did you know old car tyres are used on sports pitches? 🛞⚽ Tyres are ground into tiny pieces & used as infill on artificial pitches. But this rubber crumb can contain hundreds of chemicals, including some linked to harmful health effects. Read more ▶️ ipen.org/publication/...

⚠️💧Our #rivers are in crisis and feeling the pressure of pollution, abstraction and extreme weather. But action can make a difference. ➡️ Find out how in the new #StateOfOurRivers Report from @theriverstrust.bsky.social theriverstrust.org/state-of-our...

For the first time, the Environment Agency has tested for #TFA in England & found widespread pollution. This follows research by Fidra & the University of York, which found TFA in 98% of river sites tested. We need source control on all #PFAS Read more🔽 unearthed.greenpeace.org/2026/10/07/t...

🚨 New research has found #TFA in the blood of 100% of people tested in Europe. The study also found the highest TFA serum levels ever recorded in humans. These findings underline the urgent need to reduce #PFAS pollution at source, through wide reaching restrictions. Read the study ▶️ tr.ee/vkjLd0

New research suggests #TFA could impair blood vessel development. Now considered the most abundant #PFAS in the environment, TFA is attracting increasing concern. Earlier this year, Europe proposed to classify TFA as toxic to reproductive health🔽 cen.acs.org/environment/...

We’re at Parliament today as Annabel from our member group Caolas is giving evidence to the Rural Affairs Committee along with @mcsuk.bsky.social @fidrango.bsky.social @scotwildlife.bsky.social @open-seas.bsky.social Follow along for updates from the discussion 🌊

A new study finds long term exposure to rubber crumb reduces root growth, impairs photosynthesis & disrupts nitrogen fixation in plants🌱 Rubber crumb is made from ground up car tyres & is used on artificial sports pitches🛞 Fidra are calling for restriction on rubber crumb in the UK 🔽 tr.ee/SjLoBC

High levels of #PFAS found in residents' blood near chemical manufacturing plant in Thornton-Cleveleys. PFAS pollution is harming ecosystems and people's lives. We're calling on the UK Government to phase out all non-essentials uses of these #ForeverChemicals. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🚨 What are the economic risks of spreading contaminated sewage sludge on farmland? New research by eftec reveals that future sludge management policy must consider long-term protection of our soils. ⬇️Learn more Report: fidra.org.uk/download/eft... Blog: fidra.org.uk/news/eftec-r...

Grass football pitches are a valuable habitat for wildlife ⚽🦋🐦‍⬛ Our latest guest blog features Dr William Titley's project The Curlew Way, which uses art, community engagement & environmental action to shine a light on the importance of local green spaces. Read more🔽 fidra.org.uk/plastic-poll...

🧪 #Chemical transparency and traceability are crucial for a safe circular economy. Digital product records should enforce chemical information sharing across product life cycles & improve consumer’s ‘right to know’ about potentially harmful chemicals in products - Read our response ➡️ tr.ee/vSvw8u

It was a pleasure to present our research on #TFA in UK surface waters at the Environmental Services & Solutions Expo. A key highlight was hearing Toby Perkins MP discuss the findings of the Environmental Audit Committee’s recent #PFAS inquiry & the need for stronger UK action.

Top #PFAS manufacturers plan to increase production in order to meet demand from the AI industry. PFAS can be used for data centre cooling & in semiconductors. Rising production undermines emerging regulatory efforts aimed at restricting PFAS 🔽 www.theguardian.com/environment/...

#PFOS levels hit 13× the legal limit in pilot tests of Thames Water’s drought scheme. The scheme would take water from the Thames during droughts & replace it with treated sewage effluent. Standard wastewater treatment doesn’t remove #PFAS. We need source control on #foreverchemicals tr.ee/ssHFTX

What a great session at todays #WildSummit 🌿 Thank you to everyone who came along and engaged in interesting discussions on chemicals in the wild. Email info@fidra.org.uk to stay in touch and check out our resources on the below webpage ⬇️ fidra.org.uk/chemical-pol...

Microplastics are building up in UK soils, threatening soil health & food. UK soils are among the most contaminated in Europe. Intentionally added microplastics are an avoidable source of pollution & the EU has already taken action to restrict them. It's time for the UK to do the same🔽 tr.ee/JuI3fD

We are heading to the Wild Summit next week! ♻️ 🌿 Join us, @chemtrust.bsky.social, and @theriverstrust.bsky.social at our 'Chemicals in the Wild' session in the Cellars from 13:30 - 14:15 on Wednesday the 9th of September. Sign up for tickets here 👉 www.wcl.org.uk/wildsummituk...

🌍#TheGreatGlobalNurdleHunt has begun!🌍 Take part over the next 30 days and join #nurdle hunters across the world, gathering important evidence of nurdle pollution and call for change! Learn how to take part here 👉 www.nurdlehunt.org.uk/take-part/th...

🚂 Next week, CHEM Trust is heading to the Wild Summit in Bristol! Join us, @fidrango.bsky.social and @theriverstrust.bsky.social for our joint event, ‘Chemicals in the Wild’, exploring the ins and outs of chemical pollution in the UK. Sign up for tickets here 👉 buff.ly/7rkCKJ6

A new report published by MPs is calling for stronger UK action on #microplastics The report warns that the UK's current fragmented approach won't tackle the scale of pollution. The MPs set out clear recommendations, including stronger regulation, reduction targets & better monitoring tr.ee/YnVWcK

🔥 🧪 Ireland has taken a major step in reducing flame retardant use in furniture through aligning with EU General Product Safety Regulation This modernisation of Ireland's furniture fire safety framework comes as the UK considers updates to its own outdated regulations ➡️ fidra.org.uk/news/ireland...

Recent heatwaves have highlighted the importance of keeping urban spaces cool. Did you know - artificial grass can reach significantly higher temperatures than natural grass? Natural grass help regulate temperatures, support wildlife, & absorb rainwater when extreme weather hits🌱🐝🔽 tr.ee/CZitNI

🗓️ CHEM Trust will be at #WildSummit2026, and we’re partnering with @fidrango.bsky.social and @theriverstrust.bsky.social for a joint event on ‘Chemicals in the Wild’. Join us to discuss the causes and impacts of chemical pollution, and the solutions at hand. Get your tickets here👉 buff.ly/7rkCKJ6

🚨 We must tackle “forever chemicals” now before history repeats itself. Michael Sheen’s new documentary ‘Buried’ released today, shines a light on Wales’ long-buried PCB pollution scandal.

🌊 Join our webinar to learn how to take part in the Great Global Nurdle Hunt 2026 & use evidence to push for action to prevent #nurdle pollution We'll also hear about the inspiring response from communities across NE England dealing with the ongoing impacts of the nurdle spill Register👉 tr.ee/7WmoFc

⚠️ Every surface water body in England has failed to meet 'good' chemical status, AGAIN. Many chemicals, such as PFAS and flame retardants, don't break down; they build up in our rivers and lakes for decades. 💧 More info: www.theguardian.com/environment/... Our webpage: fidra.org.uk/water-policy/

Sweden has announced a ban on #PFAS in a range of consumer products, including clothing, footwear & cosmetics 💄 Sweden is now the third EU country, after France & Denmark, to take national action ahead of the EU wide restriction, helping to reduce PFAS emissions sooner. Read more ⬇️ tr.ee/GTV62A

The UK can prevent 40,611 tonnes of #microplastics from entering the environment over the next 20 years by restricting intentionally added microplastics, including artificial sports pitch infill. The EU has already acted. Read our new policy briefing calling for ambitious UK action 👇 tr.ee/fe1yRc

The Irish government has announced the modernisation of its furniture product safety framework

The European Food Safety Authority is lowering the acceptable daily intake for #TFA in people's diets. This update is based on new evidence showing that TFA can affect the body’s hormone system We need source control on all #PFAS to meaningfully reduce exposure🔽 tr.ee/YMm5Cs

Did you know? Artificial sports pitches are contributing to #microplastic pollution⚽ Rubber crumb infill, made from old tyres, can escape into the environment & pollute soils & waterways💧 The EU has already banned this material. It’s time for the UK to act too. Find out more▶️ tr.ee/cREChd

A study has found a potential link between #PFAS & PMOS Mothers with higher PFAS levels during pregnancy were more likely to have a daughter who developed PMOS PFAS continue to be linked to health concerns. We need action to restrict #foreverchemicals 🔽 www.theguardian.com/environment/...

🚨 A new study investigating rivers across 31 countries in Europe found widespread contamination🌊 61% of sites exceeded regulatory environmental quality standards for #PFAS Source control measures that minimise PFAS inputs to the environment need to be prioritised by governments 🔽 tr.ee/HWiLca

A #PFAS factory in Lancashire has announced it will close. The factory used to make #PFOA, a now banned PFAS. Local residents impacted by PFAS contamination in the area recently expressed interest in pursuing a potential legal claim over contamination 🔽 tr.ee/Ukn9bf

The Government has responded to Parliament's inquiry into PFAS, but doesn't commit to the stronger source control measures needed to put an end to PFAS pollution. Read our latest blog 👇 pfasfree.org.uk/news/uk-gove...

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has found widespread #PFAS pollution in Scotland's water sources💧 Fidra & the University of York also found Scottish rivers to be polluted with #TFA 🌊 The UK must introduce broad restrictions on PFAS use to reduce #foreverchemical pollution🔽 tr.ee/rjbIPI

As the World Cup enters its final weeks, we're kicking off our new project highlighting microplastic pollution from artificial pitches⚽ #Microplastic infills from pitches are one of the largest sources of UK intentionally added microplastic pollution🥅 Find out more🔽 fidra.org.uk/microplastic...

We're joining @chemtrust.bsky.social and @theriverstrust.bsky.social at The Wild Summit to talk chemicals in the wild! 🐟 Chemical pollution is an overlooked crisis. Come and explore with us the connections between chemicals, industry, and ecological harm. 👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-wild-s...

The Environmental Audit Committee called for rapid PFAS restrictions, UK REACH reform, and making polluters pay for contamination. Today, the UK Government published its response 👇 committees.parliament.uk/committee/62...

🚨Save the Date!🚨 We are very excited to announce the #GreatGlobalNurdleHunt is back and will take place from the 4th September to 4th October 2026!🗓️ Stay tuned for resources to help you take part and join the call for an end to nurdle pollution🌍 Coming Soon! www.nurdlehunt.org.uk/news/save-th...

A new study published today reveals that even massive investments in #PFAS remediation across Europe would remove only a negligible fraction of #foreverchemicals 💸 The findings reinforce a clear message - the most effective way to tackle PFAS pollution is to stop it at the source ▶️ tr.ee/Sr5G7D

🔥🧪 The lack of transparency about chemical flame retardants used in furniture poses major challenges. Enforcing furniture product chemical labelling will protect the environment, support waste management and furniture circularity. Find out more in our recent report➡️ fidra.org.uk/download/cas...

A #PFASpesticide has been linked to impacts on brain development. Our latest report shows Fluazinam was applied to over a million hectares of UK arable crops from 2014-2024. Denmark has withdrawn it, but it remains approved in the UK & EU. Our report▶️ tr.ee/qOkcqe The article▶️ tr.ee/TaHHiL

New research shows #PFAS levels are increasing in whales & dolphins worldwide 📈 Pacific Ocean animals were most contaminated, with humpback dolphins showing the highest levels We must turn the tap off on #foreverchemicals to meaningfully reduce levels in the environment 🔽 tr.ee/pXA52z

Our new report finds PFAS #pesticides are a major & overlooked source of #ForeverChemicals 🌱 The UK’s Environmental Audit Committee says current action on #PFAS isn’t enough. Pesticides are a key pathway into our food & environment. To tackle PFAS, we must tackle PFAS pesticides tr.ee/Vk9Y1t

🎥New Video Out Now 🔥🧪Chemical #flameretardants present major challenges for end of life management of upholstered furniture, while also impacting environmental and human health. Watch our latest video masterclass to learn more - Available now on the Fidra YouTube channel▶️ youtu.be/uGcp0T_dcwo?...

Analysis by @fidrango.bsky.social finds the UK uses CFRs far more than many other countries, who have achieved similar improvements in fire safety without exposing people to similar levels of chemicals of concern. fidra.org.uk/sustainable-...

🧪 For the first time since Brexit, the UK has added 15 substances to its SVHC list! However the EU has added 44 in this time... and we are calling on the UK to align with EU chemical regulations to close this gap and protect people and the environment. www.endsreport.com/article/1961...