PFAS : la raison pour laquelle les œufs de poule sont dangereux pour la santé

This article is published on the Weeffouten website.

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is an umbrella term for thousands of substances that make products water- or grease-repellent. The problem with these substances is that they do not or hardly break down and therefore accumulate in both the human body and the environment. Even at low concentrations, PFAS is harmful to the immune system and the hormone balance, while high exposure to the substances can even be carcinogenic, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

Focus must shift from permits to emissions

The responsibility for monitoring compliance with health standards lies with the government. In its report “industry and residents”, the OVV states that a complete picture of emissions is often lacking because the government does not systematically measure emissions. In addition, the OVV emphasizes that both companies and governments focus too much on permits and too little on the damage caused by actual emissions. Furthermore, permits granted are not always sufficient. As a result, there may still be excessive exposure to harmful substances, even if a company complies with the permit.

This finding is not new.  The General Audit Office previously concluded that some environmental services barely have their data in order. In addition, the government only takes action after pressure is exerted by residents and local action groups. This reactive approach does not contribute to trust in the government. The OVV also points out that media attention is the main reason for political involvement in the Chemours dossier. Only after political involvement is attention paid to fulfilling responsibilities and obligations. The damage has often already been done by then. This makes the dossiers extra complicated because a remediation task is added and a possible compensation scheme must be established at the time that damage has also been legally established.

Will there be a ban on PFAS?

For the first time, there seems to be momentum in protecting citizens against the harmful effects of PFAS. In February 2023, the RIVM and four other European health services published a proposal for a total ban on the production, import and sale of all products containing PFAS. The products are resisting this and Chemours, among others, has called in lobby firm FTI to set up a lobby strategy, according to research by NRC. At the same time, the company is trying to mobilize all its customers, from car manufacturers to electronics companies, to convince Brussels of the indispensability of PFAS.

The primary goal of these arguments is to prevent or delay an EU-wide ban on PFAS. Chemours encourages its customers and industry organizations to emphasize that PFAS is safe and that these substances are indeed biodegradable and non-toxic. They provide two scientific articles to support these arguments. Interesting detail: according to the NRC, the co-authors of both articles are employees of Chemours.

Although they are far behind the big companies, citizen action groups are also making their voices heard in Brussels. The local action group ‘Health for Everything’ from Sliedrecht has been opposing further emissions of PFAS by Chemours for years. One of the founders of the action group states that the chemical lobby wants a transition period of 12 to 15 years before the ban on PFAS comes into effect. This was the main reason why they travelled to the European Parliament last month to counterbalance the PFAS lobby. In discussions with MEPs, Health for Everything advocates a significantly shorter transition period than the lobby has in mind. It remains to be seen whether those who have been suffering from PFAS for years will find a listening ear in politics.