EU Ministers Urged to Test Blood for Toxic PFAS Known as Forever Chemicals

PFAS Detected in Nearly All Europeans – A Growing Health Concern

Pervinyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, have now been found in the bloodstream of almost every European citizen. Youngsters, expectant mothers, and adolescents are among those most affected.

Why PFAS Matter

• Long‑lasting presence – PFAS persist in the body for months to years.
• Health effects – Associations with hormone disruption, immune impact, and developmental issues.
• Widespread exposure – From food packaging, cleaning products, to industrial runoff.

Key Findings

1. Researchers detected PFAS levels in 90% of EU population samples.
2. Levels in children and teenagers correlate with lower growth metrics.
3. Pregnant women show elevated concentrations linked to birth outcome risks.

Implications for Public Health

Policy makers now face urgent decisions on regulation and safe‑product guidelines. Prevention strategies include:

• Enhanced product labeling indicating PFAS content.
• Stricter industrial emission limits.
• Public awareness campaigns on safe household practices.

What Can Individuals Do?

Temporary options for minimizing personal risk:

1. Use paper products over plastic where possible.
2. Filter tap water with activated carbon filters.
3. Avoid food wrapped in foil or non‑stick pans that may leach PFAS.

Continued research and regulatory effort is essential to protect both current and future generations from the long‑term effects of these ubiquitous chemicals.

EU Ministers Asked to Provide Blood Samples for PFAS Analysis

Environmental and climate ministers across Europe have been invited by the Danish Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality, in collaboration with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and the non‑profit ChemSec, to submit blood samples for testing. The goal is to spotlight the escalating crisis of PFAS contamination—“forever chemicals” that remain in the environment and inside the human body, and are linked to serious health issues, including cancer.

Why This Initiative Matters

PFAS Persistence and Health Concerns:

• PFAS compounds are engineered for durable performance, resulting in their persistence in soil, water, and even food chains.
• Long‑term exposure can lead to a range of health problems, from hormonal disruptions to increased cancer risk.
• The European Union aims to curb PFAS usage by 2030, with stricter regulations already underway.

Scope of the Blood Tests

Accepted ministers will undergo analyses for thirteen specific PFAS substances, collectively known as the “13‑PFAS panel.” This panel covers the most widely used and hazardous PFAS types identified in environmental surveys.

Expected Outcomes

By revealing circulating PFAS levels in high‑profile officials, the project seeks to:

• Raise public and governmental awareness about the hidden contamination of everyday life.
• Encourage stricter regulation of PFAS‐containing products and industrial processes.
• Prompt further scientific research into PFAS biodegradation and consumer protection.

Next Steps for the European Community

The initiative represents a public health milestone. Researchers expect the data to drive policy changes, while the EU calls on all member states to accelerate the phase‑out of these chemicals and adopt safer alternatives.

‘It is crucial that we now take strong action against PFAS pollution’

Denmark Leads EU Initiative to Combat PFAS

Presidential Launch and Broad Participation

Magnus Heunicke, Denmark’s environment minister, initiated a sweeping call for PFAS blood testing across the European Union. The invitation reaches all 32 EU environment and climate ministers, as well as their counterparts from EFTA member states and Ukraine.

Personal Testing and Expert Collaboration

Heunicke took the test himself, alongside Jessika Roswall, the European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. Their joint participation signals the seriousness of the campaign.

Health and Environmental Risks

PFAS compounds linger both in the environment and within human bodies, making remediation highly problematic. Key concerns include:

• Potential for cancer development in humans.
• Negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems and wildlife.
• Difficulty in controlling and eliminating the chemical once it has entered the system.

Call for EU-Wide Action

Heunicke stresses the necessity of decisive measures throughout the EU to prevent, contain, and clean up PFAS pollution. Strengthening collective effort is deemed essential to safeguard public health and natural habitats.

How the EU plans to tackle PFAS pollution

EU Round‑up: Nordic Nations Rally for Extensive PFAS Ban

Overview

Denmark, together with Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, has forwarded a joint recommendation to the European Commission. The proposal seeks to prohibit the manufacturing, sale, and usage of nearly all per‑fluoro‑alkyl substances (PFAS) under the EU’s REACH framework, which governs the creation and application of chemical compounds and their effects on human health and the environment.

Current ECHA Review

The European Chemicals Agency’s scientific committees are in the midst of evaluating:

• Health implications
• Environmental impacts
• Socio‑economic consequences
• Presence and practicality of safer alternatives

Statements from the EEB

Patrick ten Brink, Secretary General at the EEB, comments:

“No individual or ecosystem is shielded from chemical contamination – both people and the planet are exposed. PFAS manufacturers have long recognized the risks of cancer, fertility complications, thyroid disorders, and weakened immune systems but continue to prioritize profit over safety.”

Implications for the EU

Should the Commission adopt this proposal, it would mark a decisive step toward protecting public health and the environment from the harmful effects of PFAS chemicals across the European Union.

What are PFAS exactly?

The Ongoing Danger of PFAS: From Everyday Products to Human Health

What are PFAS?

PFAS refers to a vast family of more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals that are purposely designed to resist heat, water, and oil. These compounds are found in a wide array of everyday items—including:

• Non‑stick cookware that keeps food from sticking to pans.
• Water‑repellent textiles used in jackets, coats, and adventure gear.
• Food packaging such as microwave bags and pizza boxes.
• Firefighting foams employed in airports and industrial sites.

Why They’re Called “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS persist in the environment and inside human bodies for years. They do not break down like most chemicals, which is why experts refer to them as “forever chemicals.”

Health Risks Linked to PFAS Exposure

• Cancer t‑cell and other forms of malignancy.
• Infertility and reproductive complications.
• Thyroid disorders that disrupt hormone balance.
• Impaired immune system function, making the body more vulnerable to infections.

Current Impact in Europe

Almost every European individual—whether a child, a pregnant woman, or an adolescent—shows trace levels of PFAS in their bloodstream. This widespread contamination signals an urgent public health concern.

Experts’ Call to Action

Scientists and public health officials have ranked PFAS pollution among the most dangerous threats to modern society, urging immediate policy and precautionary measures.

The hidden cost of inaction against PFAS pollution

PFAS Pollution: A €2 Trillion Cleanup Challenge for the EU

Environmental experts estimate that over the next two decades the European Union may face an enormous financial burden of up to €2 trillion when tackling PFAS contamination. Of this total, €100 billion per year will be devoted purely to environmental remediation, while health‑related expenses could reach between €52 billion and €84 billion annually.

How the Numbers Break Down

• Environmental clean‑up: €100 billion each year
• Health costs linked to PFAS exposure: €52–84 billion per year
• Projected total cost over 20 years: €2 trillion

Industry Behaviour and the Role of Major Producers

Similar to the long‑standing patterns seen in the tobacco and fossil‑fuel sectors, companies that manufacture PFAS have reportedly known about the severe health and ecological risks of their chemicals for many years. According to the European Environment Bureau (EEB), these producers have actively concealed evidence, manipulated scientific data, and lobbied against regulation, allowing continued profit‑making with little accountability.

Voices from the Frontlines

• Brink’s Statement: “These companies keep influencing policy, hiding facts, and misleading authorities while communities across Europe face hazardous exposures.”
• Brink’s Call to Action: “The cost of inaction is already huge and escalating. We must hold polluters accountable and halt this destructive cycle.”

Current Developments

An EEB spokesperson confirmed that EU ministers are presently undergoing testing protocols to assess the immediate impact of PFAS contamination.

Moving Forward

To mitigate this looming crisis, policymakers, researchers, and communities must collaborate on transparent, science‑based strategies that prioritize public health and environmental integrity.