PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Contaminate Europe’s Environment and People | Latest Updates
Growing PFAS Pollution and Health Risks Across Europe
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals” for their extreme persistence in the environment, are contaminating communities across Europe, from bloodstreams to drinking water and food sources. Scientific evidence links PFAS exposure, even at low levels, to liver damage, cancer, immune system impairment, reproductive problems, and more.
Recent studies show troubling exposure levels among European teenagers, with as many as 14.3% exceeding safe blood concentrations and significant variation between countries, from 1.3% in Spain to 23.8% in France.
Country Responses: From Tough Laws to Scandals
France leads with stringent regulations banning PFAS in cosmetics, textiles, clothing, and shoes by 2026-2030, along with mandatory PFAS water monitoring. Some regions have even banned tap water use due to contamination.
Belgium’s Wallonia grappled with PFAS crises linked to decades-old military firefighting foam pollution, prompting large-scale blood testing and earlier-than-scheduled implementation of EU drinking water standards.
Italy has made headlines with criminal convictions of chemical plant executives responsible for polluting water and soil across large areas.
The Netherlands reports PFAS in all blood samples tested nationwide, confirming widespread exposure from multiple sources.
The EU Pushes for a Broad PFAS Ban with Challenges
In 2023, a coalition of Northern European countries proposed an EU-wide ban on all PFAS chemicals, pending scientific evaluation expected in 2026. The European Commission plans to propose restrictions aimed at minimising PFAS emissions, cleaning polluted sites, and possibly banning many consumer uses, balancing public health with industrial needs.
However, some German state officials oppose a blanket ban, citing potential harm to the chemical industry and disruptions in the EU economy.
Unequal Exposure Across Europe
PFAS contamination levels vary widely. Countries like Slovenia and Bulgaria experience lower levels due to lesser industrial activities, though traces still exist in water and consumer products. Systematic water monitoring is set to expand in coming years.
The Stakes and Next Steps
With an estimated 23,000 contaminated sites and over 12 million Europeans exposed to PFAS-polluted drinking water, addressing this crisis is urgent. The health consequences, ecological damage, and remediation costs could reach hundreds of billions of euros.
Experts, advocacy groups, and policymakers call for comprehensive bans, industrial accountability, tighter regulations, advanced water treatment technologies, and transparent public monitoring.
Stay tuned to PFAS Pulse to track Europe’s evolving PFAS policies, pollution hotspots, and the latest scientific insights to protect public health.
Puraffinity is pleased to announce that its G400+ adsorbent media has been certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 standards for Point of Entry (POE) and Water Treatment Plant End Use applications The certifications confirm that G400+ meets the required health effects criteria for materials used in drinking water system components. This milestone enables Puraffinity to support installations where NSF-certified products are required, including municipal drinking water applications. “As a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), I see this certification as an important step for broader municipal adoption, ” said Neal Megonnell, Chief Commercial Officer at Puraffinity. “It enables utilities to deploy our technology where NSF compliance is required, and it strengthens our ability to scale PFAS treatment solutions while maintaining the highest standards of safety and performance.” Designed for highly effective PFAS removal with rapid kinetics, the advanced adsorbent media G400+ supports compact system design and efficient treatment across a wide range of water matrices. Building on this milestone, the company continues to advance water treatment solutions that help utilities and industry address PFAS compliance and protect drinking water quality.
Puraffinity partners with the U.S. Army ERDC to evaluate Puratech G400, an advanced adsorbent for PFAS removal, through lab and field trials comparing its performance and cost-effectiveness to existing PFAS treatment technologies
Puraffinity signs first commercial agreement for full-scale deployment of its PFAS removal technology
An exclusive panel featuring Puraffinity CEO Vincent Caillaud, who will join industry leaders to discuss cutting-edge solutions for combatting PFAS, “forever chemicals”, in drinking water. With PFAS contamination presenting urgent health challenges due to their extreme persistence, mobility, and health impacts at trace levels, this session will spotlight the realities of PFAS in water supplies, the latest science driving regulatory change, and the next generation of removal technologies.
WEFTEC 2025 is the world’s largest annual water quality conference and exhibition, held September 27–October 1, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago. It gathers over 20,000 water professionals from 100+ countries to explore cutting-edge water technologies, attend technical sessions and workshops, and network with sector leaders. The event features a massive exhibition of advanced solutions, educational opportunities, and speciality pavilions focused on topics like sustainability and digital innovation. Our CEO, Vincent Caillaud , and CCO, Neal Megonnell , will be in attendance.
In the Building World-Class Teams webinar series, Henrik Hagemann and Jessica Middlesmiss will be discussing how to Create Cultures that Scale