Europe-wide PfAS pollution in water-BUND demands PFAS ban

Europe-wide PfAS pollution in water-BUND demands PFAS ban

A study of the Environmental Organization Global 2000 and the European Pesticide Action Network Pan published today shows that European waters are polluted with PFAs (per- and polyfluorinated chemicals). The BUND for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND) also contributed a sample from the Spree and comments on the results of the study.

According to the study, all tested samples of ground and surface water from all over Europe are burdened with PFAs. In the Elbe near Hamburg, the highest concentration (3300 ng/l trifluoro veteran acid) was measured, which is three times higher than the concentrations detected by the waistband in drinking water. These results confirm the finding of the BUND drinking water test a month ago, which also showed a high pfAS load on mineral and tap water.

The chairman of the federal government, Olaf Bandt, emphasizes the need for a ban on Pfas in order not to continue to increase the concentrations of these persistent chemicals in the environment. He also demands a ban on pesticides, since these are explicitly excluded in the current restriction proposal for PFAS. It is unacceptable that large amounts of PFAs continue to get into the waters and poison them.

In order to draw attention to the problem and provide further information, the federal government refers to various resources such as the Global 2000 study, the Germany-wide TOXFOX drinking water test and the BUND Policy. Paper to PFAS. If you have any questions, Manuel Fernandez, BUND expert for chemical policy, is available.

The results of the study are worrying and indicate a widespread PFAS pollution in European waters. This also has an impact on the local situation in Berlin, since the Spree, which flows through the capital, is dirty with PFAS. Citizens should therefore pay attention to possible health risks that can be connected to the absorption of PFAs via drinking water or eating fish from contaminated waters.

It is interesting to mention that PFAS in Europe has been used since the 1950s, especially in the textile, leather and paper industry. The chemicals are widespread due to their water, fat and dirt-repellent properties, but are also controversial because of their persistence and possible health effects. It is therefore important that environmental protection organizations such as the federal government draw attention to this problem and demand measures to contain and avoid PFAs.

In the following table, some facts for PFAS pollution are listed in European waters:

| Waters | Measured PFAS concentration (NG /L Trifluora veteran acid) |
| ————— | ———————————————— | Spree | X |
| Elbe | 3300 |
| Rhine | X |
| Danube | X |
| Thames | X |
| Arno | X |
| Douro | X |

It becomes clear that the concentrations of PFAS in the Elbe are particularly worrying and require immediate action. The prohibition of Pfas and pesticides as well as the introduction of strict regulations to limit chemical pollution in water are necessary steps to protect the health of the population and the environment.

Source: bund/ots