We call them PFAS, but they have been nicknamed perennial pollutants, these thousands of chemical substances that are persistent, bioaccumulative and very difficult to eliminate.
Sprays, pizza boxes and textiles
Fighting against these chemical compounds is unfortunately a long-term battle, despite their now proven dangerousness for the environment, and the fears they raise for our bodies. These PFAS have been accumulating for decades in nature, and are found everywhere: in the air, in inhaled dust, water, food… But if the dangers of these substances are less and less in doubt, the regulations take years to adapt.
Thus, the European Commission has just adopted restrictions on new families of PFAS. A request that dates back to 2019… This time, PFHxA and its related substances are concerned. Their sale and use will now be banned in textiles, food packaging, waterproofing sprays, skin care products, as well as certain firefighting foams. This ban only concerns products whose sum of PFHxA and its salts exceeds 25 parts per billion (ppb) and/or whose sum of substances related to PFHxA (including its precursors) exceeds 1,000 ppb.
Also read – Can we get rid of ‘forever pollutants’ (PFAS)?
Long transitional periods
However, the question of the end of the use of these eternal products still arises. However, these new restrictions will only apply to uses for which “the risk is not adequately controlled, alternatives are available and the socio-economic costs will be limited compared to the benefits to human health and the environment”specifies the European Commission.
Thus, these eternal pollutants PFHxA and its related substances can still be used in batteries and fuel cells for green hydrogen, as well as in semiconductors. Another downside: the European Commission also provides transitional periods of 18 months to five years, justified by the need to give manufacturers time to find alternatives to these chemical substances.
Read also
Eternal pollutants: 43% of tap water samples contaminated in France
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Source: www.consoglobe.com
