In Italy, 54% of the water monitored exceeds safety limits for PFAS, the chemicals known as “eternal pollutants”. But we are not alone: in Europe the picture is equally worrying. Indeed, in the Old Continent, 51-60% of rivers, 11-35% of lakes and 47-100% of transitional waters are beyond limits. Thus, data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) describe a reality that requires immediate interventions to protect health and the environment.
From Alpine waterways to Italian coasts, the presence of PFAS knows no borders. Resistant to degradation, this invisible threat accumulates in the environment and living organisms, transported by air and water. And while some countries, such as Belgium and France, report 100% contamination levels, even in Italy the problem is more serious than you think.
The numbers of contamination
Between 2018 and 2022, monitoring found that 51-60% of Europe’s rivers and 47-100% of coastal waters exceeded safety limits for PFAS. The situation is no better for lakes, where the percentage of contaminated sites rose from 11% in 2018 to 35% in 2022.
Some countries, however, like Spain, Ireland and Poland show a less critical situation, with less than 20% of sites in excess. However, the problem is global: PFAS have been detected even in remote areas such as the Arctic, transported by marine and atmospheric currents, and beyond.
Why are PFAS dangerous?
PFAS are known as “forever pollutants” due to their ability to resist degradation. But it’s not just their persistence that makes them dangerous. These compounds are highly mobile, can travel through water, air and soil, and have bioaccumulation potential in living organisms. Effects on human health include immune system problems, endocrine disruption and an increased risk of certain diseases.
According to a study by the HBM4EU project, PFAS levels exceed safe thresholds in European adolescents. The situation is particularly serious for long-chain compounds, which tend to accumulate in human tissues, while short-chain ones, although less well known, are more mobile and difficult to remove from drinking water.
The causes of the diffusion
PFAS contamination mainly originates from industrial waste and the use of pesticides. Chemicals used in many industries, from waterproof coatings to food containers, PFAS enter the environment through inappropriate manufacturing and disposal processes. Marine currents and sea spray further contribute to their global distribution, even carrying them to places far from sources of pollution.
The solutions: the proposal for universal restriction
The MEP Cristina Lookfrom the Greens/EFA Group, underlined the urgency of adopting a universal restriction on PFAS. The proposal, supported by states such as Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, aims to gradually eliminate the use of these substances ea establish stricter limits for their presence in drinking water and ecosystems.
“There is no more time to waste. The EEA report highlights a worrying situation that puts public health and the environment at risk,” said Guarda. Among the proposed measures there is also updating the list of priority pollutants regulated by the Water Framework Directive and a review of the limits for the Drinking Water Directive.
The role of the EU: towards zero pollution
The European Union has set the ambitious goal of achieve zero pollution by 2027but the spread of PFAS represents a significant challenge. To address it, coordinated actions at European level are needed, including:
