One of the distinguishing features of modern society is the ubiquity of synthetic chemicals. Tens of thousands of different synthetic chemicals are in daily use all around us – in consumer products, industry, food production, fire-fighting, etc. Many of these chemicals are safe, but many are not – and we have not been great at distinguishing between them, with serious consequences for both ecosystems and human health.

What does this have to do with water? Well, in many cases, water is the main medium that moves these chemicals around and brings them into contact with sensitive receptors like the calf in the image – or our own bodies.