European Environment Agency Reports Widespread Forever Chemical Contamination in Europe’s Waters

12 Dec 2024

A new European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing reveals widespread PFAS pollution in European waters, with levels often exceeding the environmental quality standard set to protect people and the environment.

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of over 10,000 highly persistent chemicals. Because they do not break down easily in the environment, they are often given the nickname the ‘forever chemicals’. Exposure to some PFAS has been linked to numerous serious health conditions, including certain cancers, developmental issues, and immune system disruption.

It has been estimated that there are 23,000 PFAS-polluted sites in Europe, with 2,300 considered “hotspots” with concentrations that may pose a threat to human health.

Monitoring data reported to the EEA’s Waterbase from 27 European countries shows that a significant number of EU monitoring sites are under pressure as a result of PFOS pollution.

PFOS, which belongs to the PFAS family, has been classified by the World Health Organisation as a possible carcinogen. The use of PFOS has been restricted in the EU due to its toxicity since its inclusion in the Stockholm Convention in 2009, but it continues to be found in our environment due to its extreme persistence.

Coastal waters exceed the environmental quality standard (EQS) for PFOS most frequently, with 73% of sites tested exceeding the EQS in 2022. Exceedances in lakes have increased, rising from 11% of sites exceeding the PFOS EQS in 2018 to 35% in 2022.

In 2022, 100% of surface water bodies reported from Belgium, France and Iceland exceeded the EQS for PFOS, followed by 96% in the Netherlands, 83% in Germany and 54% in Italy.

With these findings, the EEA expressed the need for monitoring of PFAS in Europe to be “expanded to provide more information on a greater range of PFAS across a wider geographical area”.

The EU is working on a group ban of the PFAS chemicals. CHEM Trust supports this approach and wants to see Europe become a PFAS-free economy to protect people and nature.

Member States also need to improve their monitoring and clean up of PFAS pollution as well as taking a proactive approach to helping businesses find safer alternatives to PFAS in their products ahead of the EU restriction.