Sea foam billowing across fields on Britain's most remote inhabited island has long been part of local folklore.
Now, that same wind-blown foam is attracting attention for a far less pleasant reason. As The Guardian reports, scientists believe it may be carrying toxic "forever chemicals" into the island's drinking water.
«"When the tide comes in in the Atlantic, the whole island is covered in foam," artist Tommy Hyndman told The Guardian. "Your windows are covered in foam, and all the plants are killed by the salt.".
Utility data has shown that the tap water on the tiny island of Fair Isle contains more PFAS than any other drinking water source in Scotland.
Several scientists who studied the island's chemical composition concluded that the pollution likely did not come from an obvious local source, such as a factory, airport, or fire station.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have an extraordinary ability to gravitate toward the air-water interface. Researchers say these chemicals can accumulate in bubbles, sea spray, and foam, and then be transported by wind over long distances before settling on land.
On Fair Isle, Scottish Water offered other possible explanations, including a 2019 fire and the use of firefighting foam on the island's runway. However, records show no foam was used to extinguish the fire, and the National Trust for Scotland stated that the airport uses PFAS-free foam.
Scientists are increasingly detecting PFAS in remote coastal areas, raising concerns about the potential for these chemicals to return to land via sea spray. Similar concerns have already been raised in other parts of Scotland, Denmark, and even Antarctica.
PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they degrade extremely slowly, and some are associated with health risks with long-term exposure.
Scottish Water claims that all drinking water in Scotland remains within official safe limits. However, experts say the Fair Isle study reveals serious gaps in the UK's airborne PFAS monitoring system and coastal pollution.
Scientists say improved monitoring is urgently needed, especially in coastal areas. Some Fair Isle residents have already begun filtering their water, and researchers and regulators are working to determine how much pollution may be entering via sea foam and what, if any, can be done to reduce the impact.
Knitter Katie Cole told The Guardian that after the 2024 results were published, she began filtering her water every night and called the pollution "alarming." She also stated that she would support blood testing for local residents.
Retired engineer Dave Brackenbury told The Guardian he was sceptical about the dangers of PFAS, but still believed regulators should pay more attention to it.
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