Have we underestimated the development of the PFAS-crisis?
After many presentations during the OECD Global Forum on the Environment dedicated to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances on 12 and 13 February 2024, this question was discussed. And it has to be said: yes, in a way it probably is.
OECD Global PFAS-Forum: My personal point of view
The two days of the event were incredible and my head is still spinning a week later:
Starting with the PFAS overview, the health consequences of exposure, the global distribution, the complicated methods of analysis, the comparisons of what is being done in which countries. What limit values are there, how long did it take to set them and why are the values constantly being lowered; and how can they be complied with? And what about the waste chains and recycling? What are the consequences and is it even possible to replace PFAS? Anna Lennquist, ChemSec, very emphatically summarised the way forward and concrete offers and assistance with her focus on solutions.
All of this clearly showed how complex, time-consuming, expensive and long-lasting the PFAS problem is overall. “You have to ask yourself where the substances are contained everywhere. And we won’t be able to answer this question,” said Martin Scheringer, ETH Zurich. He also emphasised that the time factor must also be taken into account in all discussions about the regulation of PFAS, “the PFAS that enter the environment now will remain there forever. It is therefore very urgent to restrict the substances”.
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