Rainwater is no longer safe to drink around the world thanks to “forever chemicals.”

According to Euronews, man-made chemicals such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in nature. They are known to have non-stick and stain repellant elements that can be found in many everyday items such as food packaging, electronics, cosmetics, and cookware. Thanks to Stockholm University, these elements have been found in rainwater around the world.

Ian Cousins, the lead author of the study, stated:

“Under the latest US guidelines for PFOA in drinking water, rainwater everywhere would be considered unsafe to drink,” it continues. “Although we don’t often drink rainwater in the industrialized world, many people around the world expect it to be safe to drink and it supplies many of our drinking water sources.”

The study also noted that safe baseline levels for forever chemicals have dropped dramatically over the last two decades, despite research revealing just how toxic they are.

The report goes on to explain that you should not drink rainwater because it could cause the following:

• fertility problems
• Increased risk of cancer
• Developmental Impairment in Children

Because of this information, the scientists are calling for tighter restrictions on PFAS, as well as for companies that use these particular chemicals to pay for the “large amounts it will cost to reduce PFAS in drinking water to levels that are safe.”