2min snip

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Is treated sewage worse for the environment than raw?

BBC Inside Science

NOTE

Impacts of Treated Sewage on Human Health and Wildlife

The discharge of treated sewage into the environment can have impacts on human health and wildlife. Chemicals from wastewater, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals and PFAS, can affect the hormonal balance and reproductive abilities of wildlife. PFAS, known as 'forever chemicals,' do not break down in the environment and have been linked to reproductive, hormonal, immune system issues, and certain cancers in humans. The lack of extensive monitoring of these chemicals in the water environment poses uncertainty about their potential harm to human health. Additionally, the inclusion of chemicals like PFAS and Fipronil (spot-on treatments) in sewage systems can be problematic as water treatment facilities are designed to handle only pee, poo, and paper.

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