A group of European media, including Czech daily Denik Referendum, has revealed a European map of more than 17,000 sites contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals”. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals widely used in many fields, including industrial processes, consumer products, and firefighting foams, and are extremely persistent in the environment and human body, leading to health problems such as cancer.

The investigation identified 20 chemical plants that produce PFAS and 232 factories that use them in some way, with four of the factories located in Czechia. Universities and research institutions in Czechia are also dealing with these chemicals, including the Research Institute for Soil and Water Conservation, which is monitoring PFAS in sediments of sewage treatment plants. The contaminated sediments are a concern in Czechia because one-third of them are used for fertilisation of arable land, leading to the potential for the “forever chemicals” to enter the food chain.

The media investigation involved 13 European countries and was part of the Forever Pollution Project, which aims to raise awareness about PFAS and push for stricter regulations. Experts in public health argue that the only way to prevent further contamination is to completely ban the use of these chemicals, as Denmark has already done with PFAS in food packaging.

The persistence of PFAS and their adverse health effects have raised concerns among scientists and policymakers worldwide, and the European Union has been working on a comprehensive strategy to address PFAS contamination. The EU aims to introduce stricter limits on the presence of PFAS in drinking water, food, and other consumer products, as well as to restrict the production and use of PFAS in certain applications. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has also proposed to include PFAS in the REACH regulation, which would require companies to submit information on the safety of their PFAS products and potentially lead to their phase-out.

The media investigation highlights the urgent need to address the PFAS contamination issue and implement effective measures to prevent further harm to human health and the environment. It also underscores the importance of transparency and collaboration among stakeholders to address complex environmental problems, such as PFAS contamination, and protect public health and the environment.

Article by Prague Forum