Happy New Year from CHEM Trust! We hope you have all had a restful break. We have rounded up the top chemical news of 2024 to welcome in the new year. From PFAS in European cosmetics to EDCs in the blood of UK politicians, a lot happened over the past year. 2025 will be a crucial year for us as the revision of the main EU chemical law will be on the table. CHEM Trust will be working hard to ensure the revision better protects people and nature from toxic chemicals.

Toxic chemicals in consumer products

There were lots of studies in 2024 that found harmful chemicals in consumer products, demonstrating the need for stronger laws that better protect consumers.

For example, the Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals released numerous investigations, finding harmful chemicals in everyday consumer products. They found potentially harmful chemicals in almost one-third of wool detergents analysed and in 5 toothpastes. They discovered that 11 out of 28 foundations analysed contained suspected endocrine disruptors, and 20 out of 52 sunscreens analysed contained suspected endocrine disruptors or other problematic chemicals.

The Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals also took part in a study that examined plastic drinking bottles across Europe and found over half released the endocrine disrupting chemical, DiBP.

However, these investigations also highlighted that alternatives are available. For example, 11 of the wool detergents, 10 of the foundations, 10 of the toothpastes, and 22 of the sunscreens received the highest ‘A-rating’ because they did not contain potentially harmful chemicals.

Worldwide water pollution

From drinking water to the oceans, harmful chemicals continued to pollute water sources across the globe in 2024.

In March, we covered a study which revealed that over the course of a year, roughly 123 tons of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) entered the Arctic Ocean, 110 tons of which moved into the Atlantic Ocean. Researchers stated these were the highest of any pollutant recorded in this section of the ocean to date.

In July, a study by PAN Europe members analysed tap and bottled water samples from 11 EU countries for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a PFAS substance. They found  TFA in 94% of the tap water samples tested and 63% of the bottled water samples.

Later in the year, the European Environment Agency stated that Europe’s water resources are under severe pressure and need urgent attention. Their report particularly highlighted the poor chemical status of Europe’s water resources. Despite providing two-thirds of Europe’s drinking water, almost a quarter of groundwater bodies are not in good chemical status. EEA also released a briefing in December which revealed widespread PFAS pollution in European waters, with levels often exceeding the environmental quality standard set to protect people and the environment.

A mathematical model by the U.S. Geographical Survey (USGS) estimates that up to 95 million Americans may rely on groundwater contaminated with PFAS for their drinking water.

Harmful chemicals in the UK

In the UK, harmful chemical pollution also continued to hit headlines.

In April, PAN UK analysed data from the UK Government’s Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food. They discovered that ten different PFAS-containing pesticides have been found in UK fruit and vegetables. Strawberries topped the league with 95% of the 120 samples tested in 2022 contaminated by PFAS pesticides.

An investigation by ENDS Report revealed the UK’s highest known concentrations of PFAS in the groundwater of the small market town of Bentham. Samples showed the presence of both PFOA and PFOS, globally banned chemicals due to their hazardous properties.

PFOA was also suspected to have contaminated soil around a Lancashire chemicals plant, leading to residents in the area being advised to wash and peel vegetables grown in their gardens before eating them. PFOA was restricted globally in 2019, and in 2023, the World Health Organisation categorised it as a group 1 carcinogen.

Harmful chemicals were not only found in UK waters but also in UK politicians! Wildlife and Countryside Link tested the hair and blood of UK politicians and high-profile environmentalists for harmful chemicals. Samples from all participants included PFAS ‘forever chemicals’, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and heavy metals.

Chemical wins

While there is lots of work still to be done, we mustn’t overlook the wins of 2024!

In December, the European Commission adopted a regulation restricting the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in food contact materials. Additionally, the EU banned PFAS in food packaging in the Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

Massachusetts and Connecticut became the first two US states to prohibit the presence of PFAS in protective gear worn by firefighters.

Earlier in the year, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of New Zealand announced that it will ban PFAS in cosmetic products.

Looking onwards to 2025

Last year showed us that the issue of chemical pollution is very much a present one, but this year presents a crucial opportunity to tackle it!

CHEM Trust will continue to work towards a world in which people and nature are protected from harmful chemicals.

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