An invisible chemical linked to cancer has been discovered on slides and swings in children's playgrounds across the south of England, a new investigation has revealed.
Widespread Contamination in Play Areas
Residues of the weedkiller glyphosate and its toxic breakdown product, AMPA, were found in eight out of thirteen play parks tested. The testing was conducted by the campaign group Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK). The contamination was detected on surfaces children frequently touch, including play equipment.
The findings, released on Thursday 15 January 2026, point directly to the practices of local authorities. The contamination is believed to stem from the routine use of glyphosate by UK councils for weed control in public spaces, rather than from agricultural sources.
Calls for Immediate Council Action and National Ban
Health campaigners and children's advocates are now urging all local councils to immediately stop using pesticides in areas accessible to the public. They are pointing to the example of Hackney Council in London, which has successfully become pesticide-free, as a model for others to follow.
The campaigners' ultimate goal is a complete, nationwide prohibition on the use of glyphosate in all public areas, citing the unacceptable health risks to young children who are most vulnerable to toxic chemicals.
Government Consultation and Public Pressure
The issue is set to come to a head in early 2026, as the UK government is scheduled to launch a public consultation regarding the reapproval of glyphosate for use. This timing places the shocking playground findings at the centre of a critical national debate.
Armed with this new evidence, children's health groups are intensifying pressure on ministers to reject reapproval for public spaces and implement a full ban to protect future generations from potential harm.
