PFAS, or Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of over 10,000 man-made chemicals that we come into contact with every day.
Recent studies have highlighted several health and environmental issues related to PFAS. In particular, concerns about the buildup of PFAS within our environment, drinking water, and bodies are being raised.
With mounting evidence linking PFAS to cancer, infertility and immune disorders, the European Commission has begun moving towards a complete PFAS ban in consumer products.
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European Union Concern and Current Regulation
The current PFAS ban proposal is not the first step the EU has taken to protect the public from exposure to PFAS. Regulators have already banned the most harmful PFAS. Restrictions on PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS have been in place since the early 2010s.
Most recently, the EU introduced the Drinking Water Directive. All Member States must track PFAS levels in drinking water, ensuring compliance with the new EU limits.
But many considered these regulations too lenient. In 2023, five EU members (Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden) proposed a restriction on the manufacture, use, and placing on the market of all PFAS substances.
The New EU PFAS Ban Proposal
The EU plans to propose a ban on the use of all PFAS, with exemptions for “critical sectors”. The EU is unlikely to finalise the proposal before next year, as it works to define which uses qualify as “essential”.
The selection of critical sectors is likely to face strong pushback from industry and some political groups. Representatives from affected sectors argue that replacements for PFAS are not yet available. Many claim that these chemicals are essential to certain manufacturing processes.
Examples of critical sectors include medical devices, environmental and green technologies. But these sectors will still face strict controls. This includes limitations on emissions and requirements governing the disposal of PFAS-containing materials.
Financial Challenge
A recent European Commission study estimated the associated costs of PFAS pollution. If current levels continue until 2050, costs could reach approximately €440 billion. Alternatively, targeting PFAS contamination at the source could save around €110 billion by 2040. Relying on water treatment alone would cost more than €1 trillion.
PFAS can accumulate in human bodies and the environment for decades, even after emissions have ceased. Taking early action is essential to reduce the impact of forever chemicals on long-term health and the environment.
Noémie Jégou, Policy Officer for Chemicals at the European Environmental Bureau, highlighted this. She explained, “The Commission’s study exposes the staggering costs of PFAS pollution. Every day of inaction inflates the bill.”
History of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
PFAS Chemicals were invented in the late 1930s. However, businesses were not using them until the 1950s. Their resistance to heat, water, oil, and stains made them ideal for use in products such as:
- Non-stick cookware
- Waterproof clothing
- Food packaging
- Cosmetics
- Electronics
- Firefighting foams
It wasn’t until the 1990s that the public became aware of the toxic nature of PFAS. Controversially, this was not the case for 3M and DuPont, two of the largest manufacturers of PFAS. Both companies suppressed internal evidence showing the chemicals were harmful as early as the 1950s. In fact, in 2023, 3M reached a $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems.
How Do These “Forever Chemicals” Contaminate Our Environment and Enter Our Bodies?
PFAS enter the environment through several ways, including:
- Industrial manufacturing emissions
- Use of firefighting foams
- Disposal of PFAS-containing consumer products in landfills.
Once released, these chemicals leach into soil and groundwater and contaminate drinking-water supplies. It’s estimated that around 100,000 sites across Europe are emitting PFAS into the environment.
Crops and wildlife exposed to contaminated soil and water can absorb PFAS. This allows the chemicals to accumulate within food systems. Contamination affects produce such as leafy greens, freshwater fish, and animals raised on polluted land or water. As a result, PFAS can enter the human body through the food we consume.
What’s more, our food is often packaged or prepared using grease-proof materials and non-stick cookware. This makes exposure to these “forever chemicals” hard to avoid.
A recent study identified that the populations most vulnerable to PFAS pollution include:
- Newborns and children
- People living near contaminated sites
- Workers on contaminated sites
PFAS in Ireland
Unlike five Member States that have already introduced a universal PFAS ban, Ireland does not plan to go beyond EU requirements.
If the EU moves ahead with a widespread PFAS ban, the focus will turn to readiness. European and Irish industries will need to understand where PFAS are used, where they are released, and who is most affected.
With PFAS already widespread in soil, water, and food systems across Europe, early identification and monitoring will be key. Managing this risk in a way that is both effective and economically sustainable will be critical.
To learn more about PFAS and regulatory guidance for Irish industry, explore the environmental testing services we provide at Southern Scientific. We support PFAS detection in soil, water, and food systems, helping organisations understand risk, meet regulatory requirements, and take informed action.
