The Innovation Platform spoke with the European Environment Agency (EEA) to learn more about the ongoing issue of PFAS pollution and how it can be tackled.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) refer to a large family of chemical substances, with more than 10,000 individual compounds that vary greatly in their characteristic. Some well-known ones, like PFOA and PFOS, are recognised for their high toxicity. Some PFAS accumulate in both humans and the environment, and they are all highly persistent, lingering for a long time once they enter the environment.
Exposure to various PFAS compounds has been linked to health issues, including endocrine disruption, cancers, and liver damage. And at least some of these chemicals are also known to negatively impact the developing immune system, as evidenced by reduced vaccine efficacy in children exposed to them.
There are significant gaps in our understanding of most PFAS, particularly regarding their toxicity. One example is PFAS polymers, where current regulations do not require industries to generate and share information about their health and environmental impacts. Many remain under-researched, and we need to be cautious about their persistence and the pollution resulting from their production, especially from manufacturing sites.
Major contributors to PFAS pollution
PFAS can accumulate in wildlife, humans, soil, or water, depending on the specific type of compound. Many of the most toxic substances have already been banned or are being phased out in Europe, and examining historical blood samples from the 1990s reveals a decreasing trend in the levels of these PFAS compounds. However, because they are extremely persistent, we know they will remain in our environment for many years to come.
Beyond those, a large group of other PFAS substances continues to be used in various products. There is ongoing work at the EU level on what is called the Universal PFAS Restriction. This initiative is led by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which is evaluating which uses can be phased out and which might still be necessary for society.
Another noteworthy aspect is the degradation products of PFAS, one of which is trifluracetic acid (TFA). This compound is a common degradation product for many PFAS compounds, including polymers and pesticide-related PFAS. It is also a degradation product of certain fluorinated gases used in air conditioning systems and heat pumps.
Alarmingly, TFA has been detected in groundwater throughout Europe. TFA is most prevalent in water, as it’s a very small compound with relatively high water solubility compared to other PFAS compounds.
Monitoring PFAS exposure
Magnus Løfstedt, EEA expert on chemicals, environment, and health, said, “The Environment Agency has a specific focus on PFAS, primarily concerning monitoring activities such as human biomonitoring and environmental assessments.”
For well-studied compounds, such as PFOS and PFOA, some monitoring data is available. Monitoring in humans has been conducted through several EU-funded programs, one of which was the HBM4EU project, which is now being followed up with the PARC partnership. The HBM4EU monitoring initiative examined the levels of specific PFAS compounds in parts of the European population. Results from HBM4EU indicate that approximately 14% of the population is exposed to PFAS levels that exceed the indicative guidance values, suggesting that health risks cannot be ruled out due to this exposure. Under the current PARC partnership, the same PFAS compounds are being monitored, but in addition, several other PFAS will be included in the analysis.
In terms of environmental monitoring, currently, only one PFAS compound is systematically tracked at the EU level, which is PFOS. Monitoring results indicate that many sites exceed water quality criteria, posing potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and to humans who consume fish from these contaminated waters.
Many countries are keen to address PFAS concerns and engage with efforts to monitor these compounds. The EEA receives some of the results of monitoring conducted by EU member countries, which can be submitted to the EEA on a voluntary basis.
On the matter, Løfstedt said: “In the context of surface water and the Water Framework Directive, there are clear obligations for member states to monitor both surface water and groundwater. Once they have completed their monitoring, they report to the EEA on whether these waters have achieved good chemical status.
Currently, the member countries are not required to report the specific measured concentrations; they may, however, choose to do so on a voluntary basis. However, negotiations are ongoing regarding a revised Water Framework Directive, which may change this in the future.”
When it comes to human biomonitoring, the situation is different. There is currently no existing European human biomonitoring programme, but some countries have conducted EU-funded studies, as HBM4EU and PARC.
Mitigating PFAS pollution
The EEA’s mandate is to evaluate the state of the environment, gathering insights which are then used by policy developers, such as the EU Commission, to determine if changes are necessary. And many changes are underway to improve our knowledge on the occurrence of PFAS.
For example, there is the ‘One Substance, One Assessment’ initiative, a new regulation expected to be adopted in October which includes provisions for the first EU-wide human biomonitoring study scheduled for the coming years. The revised Water Framework Directive will enhance the monitoring of PFAS compounds, if adopted, and the newly revised Drinking Water Directive and Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive also emphasise the importance of improved monitoring of PFAS. Additionally, the Soil Monitoring Law targets PFAS, and the Industrial Emissions Directive is set to be strengthened.
There are also significant developments in the remediation of polluted sites, both scientifically and from companies trying to innovate in this area.
Conclusion
The heightened focus on PFAS across all sectors reflects the importance of addressing the potential risks and impacts associated with these chemicals. Whenever updates to directives or regulations occur, it’s important to reassess PFAS management and look for ways to improve it. As these rules are revised, we should take a thorough approach to PFAS management, seeking out new opportunities for enhancement and innovation.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 23rd edition of our quarterly publication.
