‘Forever chemicals’ are polluting African waters: Lake Victoria, South Africa’s Vaal and Kenya’s Nairobi rivers are hotspots

Every week seems to bring a new report about where “forever chemicals” have been found: in soil, drinking water, our bodies and marine animals. Their proper scientific name is perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). But they’re more commonly called “forever chemicals” because, once they’re in an environment, they almost never break down. These chemicals are harmful in many ways: they kill fish, disrupt plant growth and can make humans very ill.

In a new study, water and chemical researchers Patrick Ssebugere, Ashirafu Miiro and Oghenekaro Nelson Odume examined existing research from various African countries to identify the continent’s forever chemical hotspots.

The study identifies PFAS contamination in 11 African countries: South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Mali and Tunisia. South Africa recorded some of the highest levels. These countries are based on the scientific papers examined. It is highly likely that these chemicals are in other countries but remain unreported.

  
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