Pan UK dirty dozen: PFAS contamination risks and water quality concerns
PFAS are often described as “forever chemicals”, but the phrase can make a complex pollution problem sound deceptively simple. These synthetic substances are used in products ranging from waterproof clothing…
Does organic vegetables have pesticides? What shoppers need to know
Organic vegetables can contain pesticides. That may sound surprising, given that organic food is often marketed as a more natural choice, but “organic” does not mean “grown without pesticides.” It…
Does organic foods have pesticides? What the evidence says
Organic food is often marketed as a cleaner choice. But does “organic” mean pesticide-free? No. Organic farmers can use pesticides, including some synthetic products where regulations allow them. The difference…
Does Roundup contain glyphosate? What you need to know about its use and water contamination
Roundup is one of the best-known weedkiller brands in the world, but the name can create confusion. Is Roundup the same thing as glyphosate? Does every Roundup product contain it?…
Dirty dozen organic foods: what the list means for pesticide exposure and water quality
The “Dirty Dozen” is often presented as a shopping guide: buy these fruits and vegetables organic, and you will reduce your exposure to pesticide residues. But the list is not…
Pesticide neonicotinoids and their impact on water quality
Neonicotinoids are widely used insecticides designed to protect crops from damaging pests. Their effects on bees have attracted considerable attention, but the story does not end in fields or gardens.…
Can organic food have pesticides? What organic labels really mean for pesticide residues and water quality
“Organic” is often taken to mean “grown without pesticides”. That sounds reassuring, but it is not what the label promises. Organic farms can use certain pesticides, and food labelled organic…
Clean 15 UK: what the water standard means for PFAS contamination and drinking water
“Clean 15” sounds like a clear promise: keep PFAS in drinking water below 15 parts per trillion. But before treating it as a new UK legal limit, it is worth…
Dirty dozen UK 2026: PFAS pollution, drinking water risks and regulations
“Dirty dozen” is a useful phrase for a complicated problem: it suggests twelve clear-cut places, ranked from worst to best. But there is no official UK list of twelve PFAS-polluted…
Pesticide bans and water quality: what they mean for PFAS pollution
When a pesticide is banned, it is tempting to assume the water problem has been solved. But chemicals do not disappear when their approval ends. Some remain in soil and…