The Innovation Platform spoke with the European Environment Agency (EEA) to learn more about the ongoing issues of PFA pollution and how it can be addressed.
1 and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) refer to large-scale chemicals with over 10,000 individual compounds with significantly different properties. Several famous ones, such as PFOA and PFOS, are recognized for their high toxicity. Some PFAs accumulate in both humans and the environment, all of which are very sustainable and remain for a long time once they enter the environment.
Exposure to various PFAS compounds is associated with health problems, such as endocrine destruction, cancer, and liver damage. It is also known that at least some of these chemicals have a negative effect on the developing immune system.
There is a major gap in most understandings of PFA, particularly with regard to toxicity. One example is PFAS polymers, and current regulations do not require the industry to generate and share information about health and environmental impacts. Many remain under-research and we need to be careful about their persistence and especially about the contamination caused by production from production sites.
Key contributors to PFA contamination
PFA can accumulate in wildlife, humans, soil, or water, depending on the specific type of compound. Many of the most toxic substances have already been banned or phased out in Europe, and examining historical blood samples from the 1990s revealed a declining trend in the levels of these PFA compounds. But they are so persistent that we know we will remain in our environment for years to come.
Beyond them, other large groups of PFAS materials continue to be used in a variety of products. At the EU level, there is ongoing work on what is called the universal PFAS limit. This initiative is led by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This assesses which uses are phased out and may be necessary for society.
Another notable aspect is the degradation product of PFA, one of which is Trifluracity acid (TFA). This compound is a common degradation product of many PFAS compounds, including polymers and pesticide-related PFAs. It is also the decomposition product of certain fluorinated gases used in air conditioning systems and heat pumps.
Surprisingly, TFA has been detected in groundwater all over Europe. TFA is the most common in water as it is a very small compound with a relatively high water solubility compared to other PFAS compounds.
Monitoring for PFA exposure
Magnus Løfstedt, an EEA expert on chemicals, environment and health, said: “The Environment Agency is primarily focused on PFA in terms of surveillance activities such as human biomanipulation and environmental assessment.”
For well-studied compounds such as PFOs and PFOA, some surveillance data are available. Human surveillance is carried out through several EU-funded programs. One of them is the HBM4EU project, which is currently following the PARC partnership. The HBM4EU Surveillance Initiative investigated the levels of specific PFA compounds in some European population. HBM4EU results show that approximately 14% of the population is exposed to PFA levels above the index guidance values, suggesting that health risks cannot be ruled out due to this exposure. The current PARC partnership monitors the same PFAS compounds, but in addition, several other PFAs are included in the analysis.
Regarding environmental monitoring, there is currently only one PFAS compound systematically tracked at the EU level, which is PFOS. Surveillance results show that many sites exceed water quality standards, pose potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and humans consuming fish from these contaminated water.
Many countries want to address PFAS concerns and engage in efforts to monitor these compounds. The EEA may receive a portion of the results of surveillance implemented by EU member states and submit it to the EEA voluntarily.
Regarding this issue, Løfstedt stated: “In the context of the surface water and water framework directive, Member States have a clear obligation to monitor both surface water and groundwater. Upon completion of monitoring, we will report to the EEA whether these waters have achieved good chemical status.
Currently, Member States do not need to report specific measured concentrations. However, they may choose to do so voluntarily. However, negotiations regarding the revised Water Framework Directive are continuing and may change this in the future. ”
When it comes to human biomonitoring, things are different. Currently, there are no existing European human bioagent programs, but some countries are conducting EU-funded research as HBM4EU and PARC.
Mitigates PFA contamination
The EEA’s mission is to assess the state of the environment and gather insights used by policy developers such as the EU Commission to determine whether changes are necessary. Additionally, many changes are ongoing to improve knowledge about the occurrence of PFA.
For example, there is the “One Substance, One Evaluation” initiative. There are new regulations expected to be adopted in October, including provisions for the first EU-wide human biomonitoring research scheduled for years to come. The revised Water Framework Directive will enhance monitoring of PFAS compounds when adopted, and the newly revised Drinking Water Directive and Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive will also underline the importance of improving PFA monitoring. Furthermore, the Soil Monitoring Act covers PFAs and is set to strengthen industrial emissions directives.
There has also been a great development in repairing contaminated sites, both scientifically and from companies seeking to innovate in this field.
Conclusion
The growing focus on PFA in all sectors reflects the importance of addressing the potential risks and impacts associated with these chemicals. Whenever an order or regulation update occurs, it is important to reevaluate PFAS management and find ways to improve it. As these rules have been revised, they are looking for a thorough approach to PFAS management and new opportunities for strengthening and innovation.
This article will also be featured in the 23rd edition of Quarterly Publication.
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