A new scientific study published in The Lancet Planetary Health by researchers from the Universities of Aberdeen and Örebro indicates that the forever chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) affect people from the foetal development stage, reported the NGO HEAL (Health and Environment Alliance) on Tuesday 9 January, calling for the rapid adoption of the ‘REACH’ restrictions proposed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), prioritising non-essential uses.
According to this study, foetuses exposed to PFAS have impaired metabolism and liver function, which may increase the risk of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, in adulthood.
“This timely and thorough study shows what we have long feared - PFAS have the potential to negatively affect future generations even before they are born, and exposure is difficult to avoid. This is why the proposed EU PFAS restriction is now more important than ever”, commented HEAL’s Director, Génon Jensen.
On 3 February 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposed restriction options covering 10,000 substances, in line with the OECD’s 2021 definition of PFAS, with 12-year derogations.
This proposal was prepared by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway to protect health and the environment (see EUROPE 12807/9).
HEAL welcomes the broad scope envisaged, particularly with regard to the inclusion of the highly persistent and widely used fluoropolymers and perfluoropolyethers, and understands these derogations linked to adherence to strict information requirements, but “calls on the EU to prioritise a widely restrictive proposal that minimises derogations for all non-essential PFAS uses”, said Jensen.
The European Commission’s decision is expected in 2025.
To view the scientific study: https://aeur.eu/f/aba (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)