Raindrops contain dangerous chemicals that exceed an acceptable safety level in most places in the world.
This is shown by a study carried out by researchers from the University of Stockholm and Zurich, reports BBC.
It is the synthetic substance PFAS that has been found in the raindrops.
According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health If the fluorinated substance breaks down slowly in nature, it accumulates in the body and can be harmful to health.
May cause cancer
The research surrounding the synthetic substance has so far been described as ambiguous, but now researchers fear that it can cause serious illness, including cancer.
The Independent writes that the researchers have carried out the study out in the field and in a laboratory. They found extensive amounts of the harmful substances in the atmosphere, even though they had phased out the substances from the largest factories.
Ate red fly agaric – ended up in intensive care
According to the researchers behind the study, the raindrops are only toxic if you drink the water.
Nevertheless, they believe that international authorities must do more to limit the extent of the damage.
– There has been a shocking decline in the guidelines around PFAS in drinking water over the past 20 years, says the lead author behind the study, Ian Cousins to The independent.
– It is rare that we actually drink raindrops, but most people expect it to be safe if they were to do so. The raindrops are also important contributors to several of the most important sources of drinking water, adds Cousins.
