{"id":118843,"date":"2025-10-06T14:58:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T12:58:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/?p=118843"},"modified":"2025-10-07T14:38:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T12:38:28","slug":"eu-leaders-contaminated-with-pfas-forever-chemicals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/eu-leaders-contaminated-with-pfas-forever-chemicals\/","title":{"rendered":"EU leaders contaminated with PFAS \u201cforever chemicals\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

BRUSSELS, 7 October<\/span><\/p>\n

Harmful PFAS substances have been found in the blood of 24 EU leaders from 19 countries, confirming that no one is immune to exposure from these persistent \u201cforever chemicals.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

All 24 of the top politicians tested <\/span>[1]<\/b>, who included <\/span>EU environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall<\/span><\/a> and Danish environment minister Magnus Heunicke, were found to be contaminated with PFAS. For half of the EU leaders, contamination exceeded levels <\/span>[2]<\/b> beyond which health impacts cannot be ruled out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Six of the detected PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA and PFUnDA) are already regulated in Europe – either under the EU POPs Regulation or under the REACH Regulation <\/span>[3]<\/b> – underscoring their lasting impact and continued threat to human health and the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Led by the Danish Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality, together with the <\/span>European Environmental Bureau (EEB)<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>ChemSec<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>this bold initiative exposes<\/span><\/a> the widespread contamination of PFAS and will hopefully encourage EU leaders to respond quickly to the growing urgency of this pollution crisis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe human and economic cost of inaction around PFAS pollution is already staggering, and it\u2019s growing by the day. Decision makers must urgently close the tap, hold polluters accountable and stop this cycle of harm. People need to again have confidence in the water they drink and the food they eat.\u201d <\/span><\/i>Said <\/span>Patrick ten Brink, Secretary General of the European Environmental Bureau<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Between three and eight PFAS chemicals – out of the 13 tested – were detected in the blood of all EU officials tested, with PFOS (which was regulated in 2008) showing the highest concentrations (from up to 17.19 ng\/ml) <\/span>[4].<\/b> Half of the individuals tested had PFAS levels exceeding the HBM4EU\u2019s health-based reference value of 6.9 ng\/ml for combined exposure to PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS. All individuals tested have a total level of PFAS exposure above 2 ng\/ml, the level beyond which a specific medical follow-up is recommended by the US National Academies <\/span>[5].<\/b><\/p>\n

But there is also reason for hope. One of the EU leaders – Leena Yl\u00e4-Mononen, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency – who had previously tested her blood, showed a <\/span>decline <\/span><\/i>in PFAS levels, reflecting trends observed among the European population for restricted PFAS <\/span>[6]<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>These results prove two things: PFAS contamination spares no one, and regulation works,<\/span><\/i>\u201d said <\/span>Anne-Sofie B\u00e4ckar, Executive Director at ChemSec<\/b>. \u201c<\/span>Where bans are in place, levels are starting to fall – clear evidence that strong laws protect people. Now we need EU leaders to finish the job with a universal ban on all PFAS – not just in consumer products – before another generation pays the price for industry\u2019s delay.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The findings highlight both the urgency and the opportunity facing European policymakers. While legacy PFAS restrictions are beginning to reduce exposure, new and replacement PFAS (for PFDA, PFHpS, PFHxS, PFUnDA) continue to accumulate in people\u2019s blood, with concentrations of some compounds rising sharply. This underscores the need for broad, group-based restrictions to prevent\u00a0<\/span>regrettable substitutions, where companies replace a regulated harmful chemical with another unregulated (and potentially equally harmful) alternative.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cleaning up existing contamination could cost the EU <\/span>up to \u20ac2 trillion<\/span><\/a> over the next 20 years – not including the additional \u20ac52-84 billion in yearly health-related costs. Preventing further pollution through strong legislation is both possible and cost-effective.<\/span><\/p>\n

The European Union stands at a critical juncture in the control of hazardous chemicals. On one hand, it is preparing to revise its regulatory framework (REACH), and on the other, it is <\/span>considering the proposed \u201cuniversal PFAS restriction\u201d put forward by five Member States<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, the European Environment Bureau, ChemSec and more than 100 organisations across Europe launched the<\/span> Stop PFAS manifesto<\/span><\/a> urging EU leaders to act by supporting the universal PFAS restriction – EU citizens should not have to settle for a partial ban on consumer products only. Delays and loopholes will only prolong the contamination crisis and increase health risks and cleanup costs for future generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

ADDITIONAL QUOTES BY POLICY-MAKERS TESTED:<\/b>
\n<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cLike many other citizens across Europe, I have PFAS in my body. I tested positively on 6 out 13 PFAS, including some that are classified as toxic for reproductive health. PFAS pollution is a vital public health issue. This only strengthens my resolve to keep working for stronger action at the European level. My priority is to work for a quick EU-ban on PFAS in consumer products. For industrial uses, we need to move to clean and sustainable substitutes as soon as possible and ensure strict rules that control pollution until alternatives can be found.\u201d <\/span><\/i>Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water resilience and a Competitive circular economy<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cThe substances are and were widespread in industry, in humans, and in the environment, and therefore, as expected, PFAS was found in my blood. I tested positive for four substances, and three of them can harm unborn children, act as endocrine disruptors, cause liver damage, and are suspected of being carcinogenic. My result\u2014and the overall picture\u2014is a frightening reality, and it is crucial that we take strong action against PFAS pollution so that we are no longer continuously exposed to these harmful chemicals. Action must now be taken across the entire EU to prevent, contain, and clean up PFAS\u201d<\/span><\/i> Magnus Heunicke, Minister for Environment and Gender Equality<\/b><\/p>\n

“The results of my blood test illustrate a clear scientific finding: PFAS affects the entire population. They demonstrate the widespread contamination of our environment by these persistent substances. Several PFAS were found in my body. And even though, in my case, the concentrations measured are below the safety thresholds known to date, their mere presence is a reminder of the urgent need to reduce the use of these substances in our daily lives. France is determined to identify the sources of contamination, protect its population and develop its regulations on this topic. These substances have no place in our environment nor in our bodies.” <\/span><\/i>Agn\u00e8s Pannier-Runacher, French Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea and Fisheries<\/b><\/p>\n

“I find it worrying that it has turned out that I have PFAS in my blood. It unfortunately shows how widespread PFAS has become in our everyday life and our society. The government is concerned about PFAS and we work to remove it from nature and humans.”<\/span><\/i> Jeppe Bruus, Danish Minister for Green Transition<\/strong>
\n<\/b>
\n<\/b>“It is dramatic to see that, despite existing bans, PFAS are still present in our blood. This shows that these \u2018forever chemicals\u2019 are not only a legacy of the past, but an ongoing threat to our health and environment. Belgium fully supports the European Union\u2019s ambition to phase out PFAS, but we believe the process must be accelerated. We owe it to our citizens to act faster, to close the loopholes, and to ensure that polluters are held accountable. The longer we wait, the higher the costs and the greater the risks for future generations.”<\/span><\/i> Jean-Luc Crucke, Belgian Minister of Mobility, Climate, and Environmental Transition, in charge of Sustainable Development<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Harmful chemicals are in our food, water, and everyday products – but we can act to protect Europeans\u2019 health and nature. That is why I welcome the recent provisional agreement between the European Parliament, Commission, and Danish Presidency for stricter PFAS standards in surface and groundwater. We must also promote safe, sustainable chemicals and phase out the most harmful ones<\/span><\/i>.\u201d <\/span>Leena Yl\u00e4-Mononen, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

ENDS<\/span><\/p>\n

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION<\/span><\/p>\n