HPR volume 20 issue 9: news (24 September 2026)
Updated 24 September 2026
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Rapid evidence review on PFAS
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published a rapid review of published papers concerning putative adverse health outcomes among people living near sites manufacturing or using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (1,2).
For many of the health outcomes considered, there was not enough evidence, from the small number of studies that met the inclusion criteria, to determine whether any particular adverse health outcome was linked to PFAS exposure or not. For example, this was the case for heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, some pregnancy and birth outcomes, and autoimmune diseases.
On a weight-of-evidence basis, the review did identify cohort studies suggesting there might be an association between exposure to perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS) – and PFAS mixtures (where there is a combination of multiple PFAS) containing PFOS – and low birth weight. However, it is unlikely that any measurable effect on birth weight would be detectable in local communities near affected sites, the Agency concludes, given the very low prevalence of low birth weight in England.
Overall, the UKHSA’s opinion is that there is currently inadequate evidence to determine whether any chronic (long-term) PFAS exposure from local industrial or manufacturing sites producing or using PFAS – or PFAS-containing products – might affect the health of nearby communities. Further research would be required, using evidence from a wider range of studies, to substantiate such putative links, the rapid review concludes.
In February this year, the UK government published PFAS Plan: building a safer future together which aims to protect the nation and environment from harmful so-called “forever chemicals”.
References
1. UKHSA (2026). ‘The health impacts from industrial sources of PFAS: a rapid review’.
2. UKHSA (2026). ‘Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): general information’.
Joint NHSBT and UKHSA Epidemiology Unit annual review in summary
The latest annual review of the joint NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Epidemiology Unit has been published by NHSBT (1)
Since 1995, the joint NHSBT-UKHSA Epidemiology Unit has worked in collaboration with the UK and Republic of Ireland blood services, UK Health Security Agency, the wider NHS, academia and other external partners to protect recipients from transfusion-transmitted infections and help ensure donors are respected at every stage of their journey.
This year’s review highlights advances in donor selection, testing, surveillance and how partnership working have strengthened the safety of blood, tissues and organs over the past 30 years. While infection risks remain very low, continued vigilance is essential as new and emerging infectious threats evolve.
Conclusions of the review for 2025 are that:
- changes to blood donor selection criteria introduced in 2021 have not impacted on blood safety
- rates of acute, current and past infection remain low, with 272 blood donors withdrawn for HIV, HBV, HCV, HTLV and syphilis in 2025; only one repeat donor showed evidence of recent HIV, HCV or HBV (seroconversion) in 2025
- most donors disclose any potential risks of infection before donation but, at post-test discussion, 25% of donors with markers of infections (excluding HEV) disclosed risks that made them ineligible, generally due to undeclared, treated infection
- the risk of blood donation screening failing to detect HBV, HCV or HIV due to a window period donation remained low, at approximately 1 per 1 million whole blood donations tested; based on residual risk estimates, one window period donation would be expected every 0.5 years for HBV, every 8 years for HIV, and more than every 50 years for HCV
- no confirmed bacterial or viral transfusion transmissions were identified from 110 investigations
- close collaboration with UKHSA supports timely action on changes in international epidemiology, helping maintain the safety of blood, tissues and organs; donor data also contributes valuable insights to public health surveillance
- the unit also conducts surveillance of markers of infection in other donor groups on behalf of NHSBT, including deceased organ donors, cord blood donors, living surgical bone donors and deceased tissue donors; evidence of current or past infection remained rare in these donors in 2025
Reference
1. UKHSA-NHSBT (2026). ‘Safe Supplies 2025: 30 years of collaboration, surveillance and evidence’
Infection reports: pertussis Q1 2026; campylobacter and salmonella Q2 2026; GAS 2025/26 season report
Laboratory confirmed cases of pertussis in England: January to March 2026
Campylobacter and non-typhoidal salmonella infections in England: Q1 2024 to Q2 2026
Group A streptococcal infections: final report on seasonal activity in England, 2025 to 2026