European Commission to Wage War on "Forever Chemicals" in Water
European water contamination cleanup initiative spearheaded by Brussels
The European Commission is primed to wage a colossal clean-up campaign targeting Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) - often referred to as "forever chemicals" - in Europe's water bodies by creating public-private partnerships.
This ambitious initiative was outlined in the recently adopted European Water Resilience Strategy, sparking high hopes for a healthier and more sustainable European water ecosystem.
In 2022, more than half of Europe's river monitoring sites, nearly a third of lakes, and three-quarters of coastal waters surpassed the environmental quality standard for Perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS), a class of PFAS, as reported by the European Environment Agency (EEA). These pollutants pose a significant threat to Europe's water resources, with only 37% of surface waters in good or excellent ecological health, and just 29% attaining good chemical status overall.
Environmental advocates, pushing for a ban on PFAS at source, view this strategy as a squandered opportunity for more ambitious pollution reduction at its origins. According to Angeliki Lyssimachou, head of science and policy at the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe, "We were hoping to see more ambition in terms of reducing pollution from its source." [1]
Pesticides: The Unsavory Culprits
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and their propensity to accumulate in both humans and animals. Accumulation of these toxic compounds can lead to health costs estimated at €52 to €84 billion every year, with some of the chemicals even classified as carcinogenic.
These chemical concoctions are well known for their non-stick, waterproof, and heat-resistant properties, and are commonly used in everyday items such as non-stick frying pans, firefighting foams, and medical devices.
While European Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resilience, Jessika Roswall, supports the notion of banning PFAS in consumer goods such as cosmetics and packaging, she admits that it could prove challenging to outlaw all PFAS, as some currently lack viable alternatives.
Speaking to our website, Roswall stated, "We rely on PFAS for numerous products, such as medical devices like inhalers or various items for which substitutes have yet to be developed." [1][2]
The estimated annual cost of PFAS decontamination in Europe ranges widely, from as little as €5 billion to a staggering €100 billion. Just for the water sector, the cost could jump to €18 billion per year for the treatment of drinking water alone. For some pollutants, such as TFA (trifluoroacetic acid, another type of PFAS), the cleanup process is far from simple.
According to environmental champion Angeliki Lyssimachou, "This could lead to the loss of a considerable amount of water, utilized minerals, and immense energy consumption." [2]
Payer, Meet Thy Bill
The European Water Resilience Strategy aims to restore the balance of water in the continent while ensuring affordable and clean water access amidst extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, which have affected 34% of the EU.
As part of the strategy, the Commission has highlighted the "polluter pays" principle and vowed to allot public funding for sites where the responsible parties have yet to be identified. [1][3]
Sources:
[1] European Commission's Plan for Addressing PFAS Contamination
[2] The European Commission to Tackle Forever Chemicals in Water
[3] European Commission Unveils Water Resilience Strategy
[4] EU Guidelines for Monitoring PFAS in Drinking Water
[5] Addressing PFAS Challenges in Europe
- The persistent nature of 'forever chemicals', such as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), can lead to significant health-and-wellness costs, with estimates suggesting annual costs of €52 to €84 billion, and some of these chemicals being classified as carcinogenic.
- In environmental-science, PFAS are known for their non-stick, waterproof, and heat-resistant properties, and are commonly used in medical-conditions related items like inhalers, as well as in everyday items such as non-stick frying pans and firefighting foams.
