UK Government Unveils National Plan to Tackle ‘Forever Chemicals’
The UK government has taken a significant step in addressing the widespread issue of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals”, with the launch of its new PFAS Plan. The strategy outlines a series of measures to identify, monitor, and reduce PFAS contamination across England, aiming to protect both public health and the environment.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in a wide range of products, from waterproof clothing to non-stick cookware and firefighting foams. Their strong chemical bonds mean they persist in nature for decades, accumulating in water, soil, and living organisms.
A Nationwide Strategy for Safer Alternatives
The government’s PFAS Plan focuses on assessing PFAS presence in land and water, while exploring safer alternatives in common consumer items like period products and outdoor gear. A public consultation is expected later this year to introduce statutory limits on PFAS in drinking water, a major step toward regulating these persistent pollutants.
Environment minister Emma Hardy emphasised the need for action: “Through our PFAS Plan, we will act decisively to reduce their harmful effects while transitioning to safer alternatives.”
Challenges in Defining and Regulating PFAS
However, experts warn of the complexity in regulating such a diverse class of chemicals. Professor Oliver Jones from RMIT University noted that, depending on the definition, PFAS could include anywhere from 4,000 to over seven million compounds, highlighting the challenges of universal regulation.
The plan also proposes stricter controls on contaminated land, improved monitoring of PFAS in soils, reduced industrial emissions, and restrictions on PFAS use in firefighting foams. Additionally, food packaging such as microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes will be tested to support future regulatory actions.
Calls for Greater Focus on Legacy Pollution
Despite broad praise for the initiative, some scientists argue that more focus is needed on legacy contamination. Dr Patrick Byrne of Liverpool John Moores University cautioned that historical sources, particularly landfills, may contribute more PFAS to rivers than current industrial activities.
“Even if all new PFAS emissions stopped tomorrow,” Dr Byrne said, “PFAS would continue to leak into the environment from thousands of legacy sites across the UK.” He calls for measuring total PFAS loads rather than just concentrations to better identify and target major polluters.
As the government moves forward with consultations and data gathering, the PFAS Plan represents an essential starting point in tackling one of the most persistent environmental challenges of our time.
To read more about the National PFAS Plan, head to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pfas-plan/pfas-plan-building-a-safer-future-together
And, for the latest on PFAS and water regulation, follow PFAS Pulse for trusted analysis and updates.
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.
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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.
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