In brief
Britain’s Health Security Agency announced a new study to measure how much of the so‑called 'forever chemicals' and other hazardous substances people in the UK are carrying in their blood and urine. The research, drawing on samples from the Health Survey for England, will look for links between these chemicals and health issues such as raised cholesterol and low birth weight. The agency does not yet recommend routine testing for these substances.
The United Kingdom’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced on Nov. 3, 2026 that it will launch a comprehensive study to assess exposure to what scientists call "forever chemicals" and other harmful substances, including lead and arsenic, in the population.
The investigation will draw on blood and urine samples collected through the existing Health Survey for England. Researchers aim to measure how much per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals and other chemicals are circulating in people’s bodies and to explore possible health effects.
Initial findings from the study are slated for release in 2027. Early reports suggest that while the chemicals persist in the environment and are seen in many industrial and consumer products, the available evidence points to limited health effects for most people. However, researchers have found possible links between PFAS exposure and raised cholesterol levels and lower birth weight.
Dr. Edward Wynne‑Evans, UKHSA’s director of radiation, chemicals, climate and environmental hazards, said the evidence so‑far “suggests that any health effects are likely to be limited.”
"The evidence available to date suggests that any health effects are likely to be limited," he said, adding that the strongest evidence currently points to possible associations with raised cholesterol and lower birth weight.
UKHSA stresses that the study is aimed at filling gaps in knowledge about what different levels of PFAS exposure mean for long‑term health, and is working with international partners to keep pace with emerging evidence. The agency does not currently recommend routine blood testing for PFAS, stating that there is insufficient evidence to determine what medical action should follow a particular test result.
