Called the “eternal chemicals”: PFAS are found almost everywhere. They can be hazardous to the environment and health. Germany and four other EU countries now want to take action against it.
They repel dirt and water: The so-called PFAS chemicals are therefore used in products such as coated pans and jackets. However, they can be harmful to health and the environment. Now Germany, together with Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, wants to have about 10,000 of these “eternal chemicals” banned in the EU.
Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) announced that she wanted to put a stop to the environmental pollution caused by these particularly problematic chemicals. Authorities estimate that if nothing is done about it, around 4.4 million tons of PFAS will end up in the environment over the next 30 years.
Chemicals cause damage to the body over time
“Due to their chemical composition, PFAS do not degrade in the environment over very long periods of time,” said Lemke. Although this is often useful in practice, it also means that these chemicals can cause damage in nature and in the human body in the long term. It’s also about cancer.
An investigation by the Federal Environment Agency last year found excessive amounts of PFAS in the blood of children and young people. In up to a quarter of the young people, the concentration in the body was so high that “health effects can no longer be ruled out with sufficient certainty,” it said.
In March, the EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA) wants to examine whether bans are compatible with EU law. If so, the proposal will be scientifically examined. This usually takes about a year. Then the EU Commission and the EU states decide on possible restrictions. This could happen in 2025.
According to ECHA, this would be one of the largest chemical bans in Europe. Companies would be forced to find alternatives. According to the proposal, they should be given between one and a half and twelve years. However, the proposed restriction covers only part of the substances. There is still no substitute for the chemicals in fire protection clothing or fire extinguishing foam, according to the Ministry of the Environment.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
