Wimbledon Strawberries Shine a Light on PFAS Challenges

Every summer, Wimbledon serves up one of Britain’s most iconic traditions: strawberries and cream.

This year, more than two million strawberries are expected to be enjoyed by tennis fans during the Championships. But while the famous fruit has become synonymous with Centre Court, it also highlights a growing environmental issue that is attracting increasing attention from regulators, scientists and the water industry – PFAS, or “forever chemicals.”

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals used in thousands of products and industrial applications. Their resistance to heat, water and oil has made them incredibly useful, but it has also created a significant environmental challenge. PFAS do not naturally break down and can remain in the environment for decades, earning them the moniker “forever chemicals.”

PFAS in Strawberries

Research cited by environmental campaign group Pesticide Action Network UK, has highlighted strawberries as one of the fruits most frequently associated with pesticide residues. Indeed, 95% of the strawberry samples tested by the UK government contained PFAS pesticide residues.

Concerns have been raised about the use of PFAS-containing pesticides and the potential for these chemicals to accumulate in soils, watercourses and wider agricultural systems over time.

This is not a story about avoiding strawberries. Fruit remains an important part of a healthy and balanced diet. Rather, it illustrates how widespread PFAS contamination has become and how closely connected agriculture, water quality and environmental protection really are.

Why PFAS Matters

The growing concern around PFAS is driven not only by their persistence in the environment but also by their potential impact on human health.

Scientific studies have linked exposure to certain PFAS compounds with elevated cholesterol levels, reduced immune system response, developmental effects in children, hormone disruption and an increased risk of some cancers. As a result, governments and regulators around the world are introducing tighter controls on PFAS use and emissions.

For water companies, industrial operators and regulators, this presents a significant challenge. Once PFAS enters the environment, it can contaminate water resources and remain present for generations unless effective treatment solutions are deployed.

Moving Beyond Containment

Historically, many conventional treatment technologies capture PFAS and transfer it elsewhere for disposal. While this can remove contaminants from water, it does not necessarily eliminate them. In many cases, PFAS still exists and must be managed elsewhere.

At Arvia, we believe the industry needs to move beyond containment and capture but instead focus on reduction and destruction – taking the pollutant out of circulation altogether.

Nyex Florenox™ : A Breakthrough in PFAS Destruction

Arvia Water Technologies has pioneered the development of Nyex.3, an advanced inert electrode material designed to tackle the PFAS challenge head-on.

This innovative material promotes the formation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, which can break the strong carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds found in PFAS chemicals. Notably, Nyex.3 is fluoride tolerant, ensuring its durability and effectiveness in PFAS degradation processes.

Florenox, Arvia’s next-generation electrochemical oxidation (EO) reactors, have been successfully tested with Nyex.3. These reactors operate under ambient temperatures and pressure, making them energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The EO process is crucially dependent on the mass transfer of PFAS to the electrode surface, which is enhanced by higher PFAS concentrations and larger electrode surface areas. The Florenox design maximises electrode surface area, making it particularly effective for treating parts per million (ppm) levels of PFAS. This attribute positions Nyex Florenox as an ideal partner for concentration technologies.

About Arvia

Arvia is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electrochemical water treatment products.

With design, manufacturing, and R&D in the UK, they also have labs in India, a facility in China and have expanded into the US.

Arvia’s treatment systems include Nyex.3 Florenox, Nyex Rosalox and Nyex Ellenox – three revolutionary systems specifically designed for tertiary water treatment, each delivering spectacular (up to parts per billion) results treating many recalcitrant pollutants in industrial wastewater like PFAS, endocrine disruptors and antibiotics.

To see how Arvia Technology could benefit many water treatment systems worldwide, check the Arvia website or make contact to set up a one-to-one consultation with a water science expert.

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