What's being done to take 'forever chemicals' out of our water?

Analysis: There are growing concerns about the long-term impact on health and environment of these chemicals known for their durability and resistance.

By Éadaoin Carthy and Ruairi Brannigan, DCU

Ireland enjoy an international reputation for stunning natural beauty and crystal-clear rivers, but an insidious challenge is lurking in our drinking water. This problem, largely unseen but extensively documented, involves perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as 'forever chemicals' due to their persistent nature.

Harvard researcher Joeseph Allen introduced this term in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed, which cleverly incorporates the "f" from "fluorine" and the "c" from "carbon.". These synthetic compounds are now being detected in drinking water sources worldwide, even found in snow on Mount Everest. The urgency to address this issue has never been greater, as a mounting body of scientific evidence links these substances to a multitude of health problems.

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From The Daily Show, Trevor Noah on why people are concerned about the health risks of PFAS, AKA forever chemicals

This group of man-made chemicals are known for their durability and resistance to water, grease and stains. Since their introduction in the mid-20th century, they have been employed in a wide range of industrial and consumer products, from non-stick cookware and water-resistant outdoor gear to firefighting foam and industrial lubricants.

Their unique chemical structure makes them incredibly stable, allowing them to withstand heat, light, and biological degradation, which adds to their versatility across various sectors including medicine. But the same properties that make them useful also make them environmentally persistent and resistant to traditional methods of chemical breakdown, leading to increasing concerns about their long-term impact on health and the environment.

A 2019 European Environment Agency briefing stated that national monitoring activities have detected PFAS in the environment across Europe. PFAS are widespread in European water bodies and living organisms, and their presence has been confirmed in everything from air and soil to plants and wildlife. Industrial zones, including manufacturing plants and application sites, are notably high-risk areas for PFAS contamination.

From DW, what does a rain jacket or a pan have to do with our health and environment? A lot, as they can contain forever chemicals or PFAS, which are seriously harmful and never degrade

This has resulted in tainted drinking water near factories in countries like Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as around airports and military bases in Germany, Sweden and the UK. An estimated 100,000 sites across Europe are believed to be potential sources of PFAS emissions, which 17,000 sites confirmed to be contaminated.

Among the limited number of PFAS that have been extensively researched, most are deemed to range from moderately to highly toxic. They have been linked to a variety of adverse health outcomes, including hormonal disruption, compromised immunity, and reproductive and developmental issues.

In 2015, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention discovered PFAS in the bloodstream of 97% of Americans. When people are consistently exposed to polluted air, water or food, the concentration of PFAS in their blood can increase, as these chemicals decompose at a sluggish rate. Additionally, products housed in PFAS packaging can also become tainted.

From CBS News, 'forever chemicals' found in 45% of US tap water

This collective exposure to multiple PFAS compounds, often referred to as the 'cocktail effect,' exacerbates the health risks. A 2019 report linking health impacts to exposure to PFAS estimated the financial toll of PFAS exposure on public health in Europe to ange from €52 to €84 billion annually.

One of the critical challenges in dealing with PFAS is the lack of standardised testing and regulatory oversight. Despite a wealth of scientific evidence outlining the risks of these chemicals, there has been a surprising lack of cohesive policy to address the issue. This lack of regulation is not just an Irish problem; it's a European one. The EU's recent decision to delay stricter PFAS regulations exacerbates the issue, giving the green light for these chemicals to continue polluting water supplies with minimal oversight

So, what's being done to deal with this? In January 2023, the European Commission put forth a proposal aimed at prohibiting the production and application of PFAS chemicals, which are also present in construction materials. The particulars of the suggested ban, covering approximately 7,000 to 12,000 hazardous substance, including PFAs, can now be viewed on the website of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

From Bloomberg Originals, the toxic legacy of 3M's forever chemicals

The ECHA's scientific panels have initiated their assessment of the proposal, examining the potential risks to human health and the environment, as well as societal impacts. In March in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency suggested a national benchmark to restrict some of these chemicals in potable water. Recently, chemical corporation 3M settled lawsuits for $10.3 billion regarding contamination of water sources due to its PFAS products and plans to halt PFAS production by 2025.

Forever chemicals are becoming globally regulated under the Stockholm Convention, with more extensive restrictions in the EU. The EU's chemicals strategy pushes to minimize non-essential PFAS uses, adhering to a zero-pollution approach focused on prevention. It also proposes treating PFAS as a grouped chemical class.

Furthermore, the ECHA aims to prohibit PFAS in firefighting foams, and five EU member states are devising a plan to restrict PFAS in many applications. Additionally, the EU's 2020 drinking water directive set limits on forever chemcials and the Commission has recently suggested adding them to the list of controlled water pollutants under various water and environmental directives.

Dr. Éadaoin Carthy is an Assistant Professor in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at DCU. Dr Ruairí Brannigan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Chemical Sciences at DCU.

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ

What's being done to take 'forever chemicals' out of our drinking water?

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