Latest news with #ColinBerry
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Could UK Tap Water's 'Forever Chemicals' Lead To France-Style Bans?
France has seen its biggest ever ban on tap water in Saint-Louis, near the Swiss city of Basel. Local authorities put letters through approximately 60,000 mailboxes urging the public to ensure that kids under two, pregnant and breastfeeding people, and the immunocompromised don't drink tap water. This was because the levels of PFAs, also known as 'forever chemicals,' had been raised to four times the acceptable limit by firefighting foam used in a local airport since the '60s. PFAS stand for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, chemicals which take an extremely long time to break down. They're present in everything from skincare products to frying pans and include 5,000+ substances. Saint-Louis is one of thousands of EU water sources suspected to be contaminated by too many PFAs, the overconsumption of which may be linked to increased cancer risk, reproductive issues, compromised immune systems, and even heightened cholesterol levels. Given that 'from 2018 to 2022, 51-60% of rivers, 11-35% of lakes and 47-100% of transitional and coastal waters exceeded the annual average environmental quality standards (EQS) for PFOS [a specific PFAS]' in Europe, we thought we'd ask what that might mean for the UK. Speaking to HuffPost UK, Professor Sir Colin Berry, Emeritus Professor of Pathology at the Queen Mary University of London, offered some reassurance. 'It is worth emphasising the reason that these compounds [PFAS] are persistent is that they are non-reactive; the chances that the very small amounts found will have detectable adverse effect if ingested is vanishingly small,' the former President of the European Society of Pathology told us. 'The levels are set as precautionary values and are more to do with control of contamination than concern about health,' he added. The Drinking Water Inspectorate says that, 'Based on our current knowledge, the low levels of PFAS detected in some untreated water abstracted for public drinking water supplies has no acute or immediate impact on human health.' Still, a 2023 evaluation by the World Health Organisation concluded that teo PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)) can be considered carcinogenic and possibly carcinogenic, respectively. PFOAs are group 1 carcinogens per the WHO's cancer research sector, IARC, along with processed meat, tobacco, and asbestos. PPOS are group 2B 'possible' carcinogens, along with aloe vera, coconut oil, and pickled vegetables. Doctors have previously criticised the IARC cancer grouping system for not considering 'the level of risk relative to the dosage,' which they think may have led to the body grouping things like salted fish in the same group 1 carcinogen class as plutonium. Whatever the disputed effects of going over the EU's limit of PFAS may be, Dr Shubhi Sharma, a Scientific Research Assistant at CHEM Trust, says parts of the UK certainly do that. 'PFAS have already been found in almost 200 untreated drinking water samples in England and the levels in these samples were found to be above the Drinking Water Inspectorate's PFAS threshold guidance for England and Wales, which is a 'wholesomeness' value of 0.1 ug/l for 48 PFAS,' she told us. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told The Guardian in response to those claims that 'Ensuring the safety of our staff, personnel and the public is our number one priority and that's why we are complying with the relevant legislation and regulations. 'As understanding of these chemicals has changed, we have responded accordingly. We have prioritised a programme of investigation of our sites, which has been agreed with the Environment Agency.' The CHEM Trust researcher said England and Wales 'have no statutory limits on PFAS in drinking water – the water companies just need to test for 48 PFAS, but this is a non-binding guidance. Scotland, on the other hand, adheres to EU standards, which are far stricter than the UK guidelines.' Member states of the EU, she added, will need to comply with the Drinking Water Directive thresholds by 12th January 2026. 'People in [the] UK have different threats of exposure to PFAS in their drinking water depending on whether they live in Scotland or England/Wales,' Dr Sharma added. Dr Sharma, who believes PFAS carry health risks and are a 'huge concern,' says that 'the UK needs to regulate PFAS as a group and at the very source' (mainly industrial sites). But seeing as England and Wales have no statutory limit on PFAS and Scotland sticks to the EU-recommended level, a tap water ban based on the slow-degrading chemicals seems unlikely any time soon. The Next Thing To Ruin The UK's Water Supply Isn't What You Think Tories Shamed Over UK's Polluted Water Supply: 'They Turned A Blind Eye' I've Dreaded Every Heatwave Since 2019 – And It's Only Going To Get Worse
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Eurovision star Colin Berry left eyewatering amount of money for wife in will
Eurovision legend and BBC Radio 2 star Colin Berry left a staggering sum in his will following his death aged 79 in April Eurovision legend Colin Berry left a staggering amount of money for his wife in his will. The BBC Radio 2 star, who worked at the corporation for more than 30 years, died in April at the age of 79, with the radio station announcing the tragic news live on air with a meaningful tribute. "He joined the station in 1973 and covered for presenters including Sir Terry Wogan and Sir Jimmy Young. Colin Berry also had a 25-year stint as the UK's Eurovision jury spokesperson including in 1997," they said at the time. His former colleague and BBC Radio 2 newsreader Clare Runacres was even among those who have paid tribute to the star. And now, a month after his death, the sum he left behind has been revealed. He left behind a total of £260,000 to his wife Sandra in the will published earlier this week. The will, which was written up a decade ago, stated his estate will go to his trustees. His trustees include his wife Sandra, or if she didn't survive him, his daughter Marina and son Jonathan. If all three of his family members didn't survive him, his estate and fortune would have gone to his sister-in-law Valerie. Last month, Clare Runacres said in a tribute: "Sad to say a former colleague and fellow @bbcradio2 newsreader Colin Berry has died aged 79. He also spent 25 years as the UK's Eurovision jury spokesman." Bauer Radio's Luke Davies said: "Extremely sad to hear the passing of Colin Berry. He was a Real Pioneer of Broadcasting and had such a Lovely relaxing voice. "He was also a true Gentleman and was very kind when I interviewed him in 2019. This is BBC London calling, Sleep Tight Colin." Radio host Tony Fisher added: "Very sad to hear that the broadcaster Colin Berry has passed away. "He was such a warm radio host and the voice of a British wireless generation." Broadcaster Andrew Peach commented: "I am very sad to hear news of Colin Berry's passing. I have strong memories of hearing Colin on @bbcradio2 as a child and it was a thrill to get to work with him there from 1998-2012." DJ Jon Kutner wrote: "So sad to learn of the loss of my friend and colleague and former Radio 2 newsreader and voice of Eurovision Colin Berry. We always had some great conversations when we managed to catch up. My thoughts are with his family. Farewell my friend. RIP." Berry had joined the corporation in 1973 and continued reading the news on the station as a freelancer until September 2012. He had started his radio career on Radio Caroline in 1965, having performed admin work at Granada Television and Westward Television.
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
BBC Radio 2 star and Eurovision legend Colin Berry's will revealed with eye-watering sum left for wife after his death
STAR'S LAST GIFT BBC Radio 2 star and Eurovision legend Colin Berry's will revealed with eye-watering sum left for wife after his death Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BBC RADIO 2 star and Eurovision legend Colin Berry left behind an eye-watering sum for his wife in his newly revealed will. Berry, who broke into broadcasting with pirate station Radio Caroline, died last month at the age of 79. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Former Radio 2 presenter Colin Berry left behind £260,000 to his wife Sandra in his will Credit: BBC 4 The star pictured with Terry Wogan (left) after celebrating 10 years of Radio 2 Credit: Radio Rewind 4 Colin Berry (left) with fellow DJ Ray Moore, pictured in the studio in 1983 Credit: Getty He had been a familiar voice on Radio 2 for decades, holding the place as the station's longest-serving newsreader. Now, it has been revealed that the star left behind a total of £260,000 to his wife Sandra in his will, which was published yesterday. The will, which was made in 2015, stated his entire estate would go to his trustees. This included his wife Sandra or, if she had not survived him, his daughter Marina and son Jonathan. If all three had not survived him, Berry, who lived in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, dictated that his fortune would go to sister-in-law Valerie. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
BBC Radio 2 star and Eurovision legend Colin Berry's will revealed with eye-watering sum left for wife after his death
BBC RADIO 2 star and Eurovision legend Colin Berry left behind an eye-watering sum for his wife in his newly revealed will. Berry, who broke into broadcasting with pirate station Radio Caroline, died last month at the age of 79. 4 Former Radio 2 presenter Colin Berry left behind £260,000 to his wife Sandra in his will Credit: BBC 4 The star pictured with Terry Wogan (left) after celebrating 10 years of Radio 2 Credit: Radio Rewind 4 Colin Berry (left) with fellow DJ Ray Moore, pictured in the studio in 1983 Credit: Getty He had been a familiar voice on Radio 2 for decades, holding the place as the station's longest-serving newsreader. Now, it has been revealed that the star left behind a total of £260,000 to his wife Sandra in his will, which was published yesterday. The will, which was made in 2015, stated his entire estate would go to his trustees. This included his wife Sandra or, if she had not survived him, his daughter Marina and son Jonathan. If all three had not survived him, Berry, who lived in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, dictated that his fortune would go to sister-in-law Valerie. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at Most read in Celebrity 4 The star passed away last month at the age of 79 Credit: BBC
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
BBC Radio 2 star and Eurovision legend Colin Berry's will revealed with eye-watering sum left for wife after his death
BBC RADIO 2 star and Eurovision legend Colin Berry left behind an eye-watering sum for his wife in his newly revealed will. Berry, who broke into broadcasting with pirate station Radio Caroline, died last month at the age of 79. 4 4 4 He had been a familiar voice on Radio 2 for decades, holding the place as the station's longest-serving newsreader. Now, it has been revealed that the star left behind a total of £260,000 to his wife Sandra in his will, which was published yesterday. The will, which was made in 2015, stated his entire estate would go to his trustees. This included his wife Sandra or, if she had not survived him, his daughter Marina and son Jonathan. If all three had not survived him, Berry, who lived in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, dictated that his fortune would go to sister-in-law Valerie. is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
