Recently, officials in Alsace (eastern France) warned 60,000 residents not to drink tap water due to dangerously high PFAS levels.
Vulnerable groups, including babies, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, were told to avoid tap water for the rest of the year.
But this isn’t just a local issue. Since they’re used globally, there is widespread PFAS contamination in Europe, including Ireland.
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What Are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made chemicals, sometimes called “forever chemicals.” They earned this nickname because their carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds make them virtually indestructible, unable to break down in the environment.
PFAS are used in thousands of everyday products, such as non-stick pans, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foam, due to their durability.
However, this same durability has now become a global environmental disaster. PFAS have spread through water, soil, air, and even into our bodies. Scientists are now deeply concerned about their impact on human health and the environment.
Why PFAS Are Harmful
PFAS have been used for decades, but only in the past 20 years have we begun to understand how dangerous they really are. Some key concerns include:
➜ Bioaccumulation: PFAS build up in living organisms over time.
➜ Mobility: They travel easily through water, air, and soil.
➜ Long-range transport: PFAS have been found in remote areas far from where they were used.
➜ Toxic effects: Some PFAS can harm both humans and wildlife, even at low levels.
Initially, concerns focused on just a few PFAS types, like PFOS and PFOA. These are now regulated in many places. But thousands of other PFAS remain unregulated and understudied. Many of these may break down into smaller PFAS types that are now understood to be even more mobile and harder to remove.
PFAS Contamination in Europe
The Forever Pollution Project, a cross-border investigation led by Le Monde and 17 other partners, created the first map of PFAS contamination in Europe. Their findings are alarming:
➜ Over 23,000 contaminated sites across Europe
➜ 2,300 “hotspots” with dangerously high PFAS levels
➜ Nearly 100 contaminated sites in Ireland, with two known active PFAS-use sites:
- A manufacturing plant in Kilrush, Co. Clare
- A pharmaceutical facility in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork
PFAS have also been detected in European groundwater, especially TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), a breakdown product that’s difficult to remove and poses a threat to drinking water supplies.
Health Risks for People
The widespread PFAS contamination in Europe is not only an environmental concern but also a public health concern. Because PFAS build up in water and plants, they can enter the food chain and make their way into our bodies.
A large EU study (HBM4EU) tested blood samples from teenagers across Europe and found PFAS levels above recommended safety limits. In fact, every person in the world likely has some levels of PFAS in their body. These chemicals can:
➜ Disrupt hormones
➜ Weaken the immune system
➜ Increase the risk of certain cancers
➜ Affect reproductive health
Regulatory Efforts & What’s Next
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires all EU member states to monitor certain harmful chemicals, including some PFAS, in water bodies. If these chemicals are below safety thresholds, the water is considered to have “good chemical status.” The EU’s goal is for all water bodies to reach this status by 2027, but many are still far from meeting the target.
Some PFAS are already banned or restricted under international agreements, such as the Stockholm Convention. However, PFOS is still found in the environment despite being regulated since around 2010. That raises concerns about other PFAS compounds that are still in use and remain unregulated.
To better protect health and the environment, the EU is working on several actions:
➜ Expanding the list of priority PFAS to be monitored in water
➜ Revising safety limits under the Drinking Water Directive (DWD)
➜ Considering a group-wide restriction of PFAS under the EU’s REACH chemical safety law
Conclusion: A Long-Term Challenge
PFAS contamination in Europe is a significant issue for both the environment and public health. To address this issue, we require stronger regulations, more comprehensive research, and heightened public awareness.
More monitoring is also essential. This is the only way to identify sites of PFAS contamination in Europe, track changes over time, and plan effective mitigation strategies.
At Southern Scientific, we are one of the only accredited labs in Ireland that can test water for PFAS. With over 30 years of experience in environmental testing, we’re proud to help protect people and the planet.
Take the first step toward a safer environment
