'Forever chemicals' - or PFAS - have been making headlines. PFAS are used in many products we rely on every day – cookware, clothing, packaging. Their durability is useful, but it also means they stay in the environment for a long time.
That's why the government is publishing its first PFAS plan setting out an evidence-based approach to tackling these persistent chemicals, protecting public health and the environment. Here's what you need to know.
What PFAS are and why they are called forever chemicals
PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a family of thousands of man-made chemicals. They're brilliant at resisting heat, water and oil - which is why manufacturers have used them.
The problem: once they are in the environment, PFAS don't break down naturally. They can stay in our water, soil and air for hundreds of years - which is how they earned the nickname 'forever chemicals'.
Why are we acting now
There is growing evidence that some PFAS may pose risks to human health, wildlife and our natural environment, which is why we must act now to prevent irreversible harm.
The government's new PFAS Plan sets out, for the first time, a collaborative approach to understanding, managing and reducing these risks - while allowing continued use where no safe alternatives exist, such as in medical devices and clean energy technology.
What does the plan contain
The PFAS Plan is built around three pillars:
- Understanding PFAS sources - improving our knowledge of where these chemicals are used, how they enter the environment, and what risks they pose.
- Tackling the spread of PFAS - reducing PFAS usage and stopping them from spreading through the environment, including through regulation and helping industry switch to safer alternatives.
- Reducing exposure - managing the PFAS already in our environment to protect people and wildlife.
The plan includes steps such as:
- comprehensive monitoring of PFAS in our rivers, lakes and seas, with thousands of samples taken each year across England, Scotland and Wales
- support for innovation in safer alternatives - the transition away from PFAS could be worth billions of pounds to UK businesses
- a decision on restricting PFAS in firefighting foams, following scientific analysis and public consultation
- consulting on a statutory limit for the amount of PFAS in our drinking water, giving regulators stronger enforcement powers
- new guidance to help industry and regulators reduce PFAS emissions
- a new government webpage on PFAS to improve public awareness and transparency
Drinking water is protected by strict monitoring
UK drinking water is among the highest quality in the world and currently, there's no evidence of PFAS above safe levels in our supplies.
Water companies already monitor for 48 different PFAS chemicals - one of the most comprehensive programmes globally - and must take action if levels rise above permitted thresholds. The plan includes a commitment to consult on bringing these limits into law, giving regulators even stronger powers to act if needed.
PFAS in our daily lives
PFAS appear in many everyday items - stain-resistant carpets, waterproof jackets, some cosmetics and food packaging like takeaway containers.
Research into the risks of PFAS is ongoing.
If you want to reduce your exposure you can look for PFAS-free alternatives when shopping. The government expects manufacturers to be clear about PFAS use, indicating where products contain them, and considering alternatives where possible.
What happens next
This is a complex challenge with no quick fixes - but this plan marks an important step forward.
We'll continue working with industry, environmental groups, scientists and international partners to build on these actions in the plan.
Together, we can make sure that 'forever chemicals' aren't a forever problem.
2 comments
Comment by Nick posted on
This plan is incredibly weak. Even the 'vision' is only about reduced harm, not actually reduced quantity, let along a PFAS-free environment for us to live in. Almost all the actions are about more monitoring, which is not wrong, but extremely passive. The plan explicitly looks to progress being based on "a combination of improved public understanding, industry-led and industry-owned initiatives ... and transparent self-regulation". No recognition at all that industry has a commercial incentive to keep polluting. Some carrot of support to potentially to develop alternatives, but no stick of legislation or cost to speed things up.
Comment by Jo posted on
European countries are already banning chemicals for public safety... This plan is weak. PFAS already exist in our environment, water and in our bloodstreams so urgent action is critical.