Government must go further on PFAS

Last week the Environmental Audit Committee published a report urging the UK government to “urgently restrict” the non-essential use of forever chemicals (also known as PFAS) including in cookware and school uniforms. This follows the publication of the government’s PFAS plan in February which the committee described as “a plan to eventually have a plan, rather than a concrete set of commitments to reduce and remediate PFAS.” 

Like the Committee, we believe the government must go further and, ultimately, we want to see the production of PFAS banned and polluters pay to remove it from the environment.

What is PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a group of chemicals valued for their water, grease and stain-resistant properties. Also known as ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS are widely used in products like non-stick pans, waterproof clothing and food packaging.

PFAS are everywhere. We use PFAS containing products every day, whether it’s the non-stick pan we use to cook our dinner or the waterproof coat we use to keep us dry, PFAS have become part of our everyday lives and habits.

These ‘forever chemicals’ are so called because they don’t break down in the environment and are incredibly difficult to destroy.  PFAS are constantly entering the environment, and over time, this pollution accumulates and spreads, including in the tissues of plants, animals, and humans over time, increasing in concentration higher up the food chain. There is virtually no part of the world where PFAS cannot be found. They have even been found in the eggs of penguins in Antarctica.

Science is still developing about the health risks associated with consuming PFAS, however there is strong evidence linking PFAS exposure to an increased risk of certain cancers, immune suppression, and fertility and development problems. In Jersey individuals exposed to PFAS contamination have even had treatments like bloodletting recommended.

What has this got to do with water companies?

PFAS is a significant global challenge. Water companies spend more than £70m a year to ensure PFAS is removed from drinking water to the point of one part per 10 billion - one of the strictest limits in the world. The most recent data from the Drinking Water Inspectorate showed water companies conducted over 430,000 tests in 2024 with every single one passing.

However, removing PFAS is increasingly expensive as it accumulates in the environment with no signs of slowing down. PFAS are still in the products used by consumers and businesses - often to an extraordinary degree. Without action water companies will need to spend more and more of their customers’ money to maintain our world class drinking water.

What needs to happen?

We want to see the manufacture of PFAS banned except for where they are critical to safety and no alternative can be found and we want PFAS manufacturers to pay for the clean-up. 

A recent study by the European Commission puts the cost of PFAS pollution at €440 billion between now and 2050 if PFAS production continues at current levels. The same study revealed that tackling PFAS at source by 2040 would save the taxpayer €110 billion, whereas treating polluted water alone would cost more than €1 trillion. 

Crucially the bill for clean-up should not be funded by the public – whether through water bills or taxation. It should be down to the manufacturers of PFAS to pay and we want government to come up with a plan to make this happen.