Most of the rainwater that falls on the planet is contaminated with chemicals potentially hazardous to our health, according to research carried out by researchers at Stockholm University.

Perfluoroalkylated substances, known by the acronym PFAS, have many applications and are used, for example, in non-stick cookware, fire-fighting foam, and waterproof clothing. Because they have non-stick properties, they can also be found in other household and kitchen appliances, electronics, and cosmetics.

These products are nicknamed "eternal chemicals," since they do not break down in the environment and are difficult to eliminate. The researchers responsible for the research found this substance in rainwater on most of planet Earth, projecting the idea that mankind has nowhere to escape them.

The health impact of the chemicals is not yet fully understood, but it is known that they are harmful to the point of developing diseases such as cancer, infertility, and developmental delays in children.

"I'm not saying we're all going to die from these effects. But we are at a point where you can't live anywhere on the planet and be sure that the environment is safe," says the study's lead author, Ian Cousins.

Since PFAS appear in rainwater, rainwater becomes potentially hazardous to health. "Based on the latest US guidelines, rainwater everywhere would be considered unsafe to drink," the scientist notes. "Although in the industrial world we don't drink rainwater often, many people around the world expect it to be safe to drink," he adds.

The researcher also says that PFAS have to exist, as they preserve food better. However, he points out that the solution is to produce fewer and fewer of these chemicals. Moreover, the problem with these substances is not the toxicity, but the quantities that appear in the water. (Vision)