Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) find their way into drinking water and food via soils and thus into the human body. Case studies from Germany, Denmark, France, Switzerland and Sweden illustrate the far-reaching problem of PFAS contamination and show that PFAS enter the environment via various routes and cause long-term pollution (“forever chemicals”).
- Rastatt, Germany: A large-scale PFAS contamination was most likely caused by waste from the paper industry. Particularly affected are agricultural areas where the absorption of PFAS into the cultivated plants has been observed and must now be permanently controlled.
- Korsør, Denmark: A former fire training was the source of PFAS discharges into the groundwater and surrounding soils and meadows. Cattle ingested contaminated water and grass, resulting in PFAS entering the food chain and also being measured in high concentrations in the blood of consumers of the beef.
- Lyon, France: High PFAS concentrations were found in eggs from private hen rearing. Studies showed a direct correlation between exposure and wind direction in the vicinity of a fluorochemical industrial area.
- Ronneby, Sweden: The town's drinking water supply was heavily contaminated by PFAS from a military fire training site. The contamination had become conspicuous due to high PFAS levels in the blood of the population
- Gallen, Switzerland: Elevated PFAS levels in milk and meat from cattle. The cause is sewage sludge that was applied 20 years ago to fertilise the soil.
Studies with wild boar in Germany showed that PFAS accumulate in particular in wild boar livers, leading the BMUV to advise against the consumption of wild boar livers – regardless of where they were shot.
All case studies emphasise the need for further systematic investigations and stricter regulations to limit PFAS exposure in order to protect human health.
PFAS monitoring and necessary measures
The experts discussed new methods and findings for detecting as many PFAS as possible in water and soil at the same time. There is also a considerable need for standardisation in this area.
An effective monitoring programme is essential in order to detect contamination at an early stage and initiate targeted remediation measures. In Flanders/Belgium, 8,000 suspected PFAS sites have been identified. Protective measures such as consumption warnings and restrictions on water use apply there for so-called “no-regret zones” – until a final assessment is available. The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and England have also started a systematic search for PFAS hotspots.
On behalf of the German Environment Agency (UBA), PFAS levels were analysed in soils from all over Germany that were not specifically contaminated by incidents or other events. PFAS were detected in all 600 soil samples analysed.
Furthermore, various remediation technologies were presented and evaluated. Destructive methods such as high-temperature incineration are effective, but are associated with high costs and energy consumption. Hybrid methods that combine soil washing and incineration are becoming increasingly significant. Immobilisation measures bind PFAS in the soil in the long term, preventing them from spreading further. Large-scale PFAS contamination cannot be remediated with the available methods.
The fact is that the remediation of PFAS-contaminated soil and water is associated with considerable financial expenditure. If polluters do not (or cannot) pay for the clean-up costs incurred, the costs are borne by the local authorities. As the costs are high and the remediation period is usually long, local authorities are often overburdened with the financing. Belgium is therefore discussing the establishment of a fund.
National strategies and international cooperation
Several European countries presented their strategies for dealing with PFAS pollution, e.g. France is focusing on an interministerial action plan that includes measures to reduce PFAS emissions, improve drinking water quality and strengthen research. Austria has launched a national PFAS action plan to identify and clean up contaminated sites. In addition, research in the field of PFAS analysis and remediation is to be intensified.
These initiatives show that there are already various national approaches to dealing with the PFAS problem. However, greater European cooperation is considered necessary in order to ensure standardised regulation and more efficient measures.
Need for action at European level
Tackling the PFAS problem poses numerous challenges for policymakers, scientists and industry: High-ranking representatives from the political and scientific communities, including Jutta Paulus (EU Parliament) and Paul Speight (EU Commission), emphasised the importance of increased European cooperation. The objectives are the harmonisation of limit values,
the development of better monitoring systems and the promotion of innovative remediation and safety methods.
There was agreement that preventive measures must play a key role. The use of PFAS should be strictly limited to essential applications in order to prevent further contamination in the future. In addition, a Europe-wide database on PFAS contamination should be set up to make information on affected areas more transparent.
CONCLUSION
The conference made several things clear. PFAS in soils are a serious Europe-wide problem that requires consistent and coordinated action. In many regions, the recording of contamination is still in its infancy. As local authorities are often overburdened with remediation, a solution must also be found to finance measures. A key outcome of the conference will be a discussion paper that summarises the necessary steps for policymakers.
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