A recent study conducted by scientists from the University of Stockholm found that rainwater is unfit for consumption everywhere on Earth, due to the presence of toxic chemicals exceeding the recommended thresholds.
“There is nowhere on Earth where rainwater would be safe to drink, according to the data we used,” Ian Cousins, a professor at Stockholm University and lead author of the study, told reporters.
“Even in Antarctica or on the Tibetan plateau, the levels of toxic chemicals in rainwater are above the guidelines proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),” he argued.
The two areas cited, normally considered pristine, have levels of PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkylate) “14 times higher” than US drinking water guidelines, the academic explained.
More commonly known as “the forever chemicals” because they disintegrate extremely slowly, PFASs, originally found in packaging, shampoos, or even makeup, have spread into the environment, including water and air, laments the study, which examined samples compiled since 2010.
According to some studies, exposure to PFASs can have effects on fertility and fetal development. It can also lead to an increased risk of obesity or certain cancers (prostate, kidney, and testicles) and increased cholesterol levels.
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