Nearly 20 top European officials gave blood samples this week to spotlight the continent-wide spread of PFAS, toxic “forever chemicals” that persist in the body and environment.
Leonie Cater reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- Denmark led a group blood test of EU environment ministers to draw attention to widespread PFAS contamination, with nearly 20 ministers participating during a meeting in Aalborg.
- A recent Dutch study found that 100% of people tested in the Netherlands had PFAS in their blood, often at levels above health-based guidelines, raising concerns about immune function and other long-term health risks.
- The European Commission is reviewing a 2023 proposal from five countries, including Denmark, to phase out thousands of PFAS chemicals, though industry groups are pushing for exemptions for sectors like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
Key quote:
“This is causing really serious problems to our health and to our environment. We need to actually ban PFAS in our everyday products throughout the EU.”
— Magnus Heunicke, Danish Minister for the Environment
Why this matters:
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have now contaminated drinking water, soil, wildlife, and even rainfall in some places. Studies link PFAS to cancer, liver, and kidney damage, hormonal disruption, and weakened immune systems. They can pass through the placenta and accumulate in breast milk, exposing children before birth. As more countries consider restricting them, regulators face industry pressure and the challenge of replacing PFAS in critical manufacturing. But the broader public health stakes continue to grow as the chemicals turn up in virtually everyone’s bloodstream.
Read more: The hidden cost of Europe’s battle against PFAS contamination
