Warning! PFAS

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – a group of over 10,000 synthetically produced chemicals that are increasingly causing concern. Since their introduction to the market in the 1940s, their numbers have steadily multiplying. Due to their water-, grease- and stain-repellent properties, as well as their non-stick effect, PFAS are used in numerous everyday products and applications. Simultaneously, this group of chemicals is extremely stable and persistent, and essentially nonbiodegradable – which is why PFAS are also referred to as “forever chemicals”. We come into contact with many of these problematic substances in the course of our daily lives. They can be detected in human and animal blood worldwide. Numerous scientific studies also show that PFAS can be harmful to health. Pregnant people and children are particularly vulnerable. Furthermore,
PFAS incur significant societal costs, for example in the healthcare sector and in the remediation of contaminated soil and water.

This raises the question: if alternatives already exist, why haven’t PFAS been banned or phased out sooner? One reason is the economically powerful PFAS industry, which has a strong interest in continuing production. Since problematic PFAS are often replaced with other PFAS that may be just as harmful, only restrictions on entire groups of substances are likely to be effective – an approach the industry currently strongly opposes.

Another challenge is that, under current legislation, persistence of a chemical alone is not enough to regulate. It must also be classified as toxic and bioaccumulative. As only a small fraction of PFAS have been thoroughly studied, regulatory action has been slow.

At the European level, a comprehensive restriction of PFAS is currently under discussion. WECF and Wen.UK have been as many other CSOs advocating for a mandatory phase-out of these “forever chemicals”, with clearly defined temporary exemptions for essential uses where no safe alternatives are available.

This paper explains what PFAS are, where they are used, and how they affect people and the environment. It also outlines the policy measures needed, and practical steps individuals can take to reduce their exposure to PFAS.