PFASs are, or ultimately transform into, persistent substances, leading to irreversible environmental exposure and accumulation. Due to their water solubility and mobility, contamination of surface, ground- and drinking water and soil has occurred in the EU.
One of the major societal concerns is the irreversibility of contamination, together with endocrine disrupting effects, carcinogenicity, toxicity to reproduction, effects on immune system and on lipid metabolism for a broad range of PFASs.
Universal PFAS restriction proposal is under legislative process:
ECHA Committees for Risk Assessment and for Socio-Economic Analysis meet in June to discuss:
* Metal plating and manufacture of metal products; and
* Additional discussion on hazards (only by RAC).
September 2024 meetings of RAC and SEAC:
* Textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel, carpets (TULAC);
* Food contact materials and packaging; and
* Petroleum and mining.
Submitted restrictions under consideration: https://echa.europa.eu/restrictions-under-consideration/-/substance-rev/72301/term
ECHA PFAS webpages: https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/perfluoroalkyl-chemicals-pfas
Ekotox Chemicals Management webpages: https://ekotox.eu/chemicals-management/