Sie sind mit erheblichen Gesundheitsrisiken und Umweltproblemen verbunden. Laut der Europäischen Umweltagentur sind PFAS bereits weit verbreitet. Die Ursachen dafür sind vielfältig: Sie stammen aus industriellen Prozessen, alltäglichen Konsumgütern und der gängigen Abfallentsorgung.

Unsere letzten Beiträge: 

• PFAS – What is it?
• PFAS – ein Problem?

Gesundheitskosten

Die gesundheitsbezogenen Kosten der PFAS-Exposition in Europa werden auf jährlich 52 bis 84 Milliarden Euro geschätzt ¹ . Diese Zahl ist wahrscheinlich zu niedrig angesetzt. Das liegt zum einen an den noch unvollständig erfassten Gesundheitsfolgen. Zum anderen berücksichtigen die Schätzungen bisher nur einen kleinen Teil der existierenden PFAS-Verbindungen.

¹ Text von 2019 !!! FULLTEXT01.pdf (diva-portal.org) Nordischer Ministerrat Nordens Hus Ved Stranden 18 DK-1061 Kopenhagen

Kontamination

Die PFAS-Kontamination erfolgt über verschiedene Wege. Darunter industrielle Emissionen, die Verwendung von Feuerlöschschäumen, Konsumprodukte und die Entsorgung von PFAS-haltigen Materialien. Industriestandorte, insbesondere solche, die an der Herstellung und Anwendung von PFAS beteiligt sind, stellen bedeutende Verschmutzungsquellen dar. Dies hat dazu geführt, dass PFAS in Luft, Boden, Wasser und lebenden Organismen in ganz Europa nachgewiesen wurden. Wobei Gebiete in der Nähe von Industrieanlagen, Flughäfen und Militärstützpunkten besonders stark kontaminiert sind. Die Gesamtzahl der Standorte mit potenziellen PFAS-Emissionen in Europa wird auf rund 100.000 geschätzt ^.²

² https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/emerging-chemical-risks-in-europe

Bewältigung und Minderung

Der Kampf gegen die PFAS-Kontamination ist schwierig. Das liegt vor allem an der extremen Langlebigkeit dieser Chemikalien und ihren komplexen Auswirkungen auf Mensch und Natur. Erschwerend kommt hinzu, dass ständig neue PFAS-Verbindungen und deren Abbauprodukte entdeckt werden. Das macht es fast unmöglich, die Gesundheitsrisiken vollständig zu verstehen oder gar zu senken.

Zwar setzen Regulierungsbehörden bereits erste Schritte, wie etwa strengere Grenzwerte für Trinkwasser oder die Einstufung als gefährliche Stoffe durch die EU. Dennoch bleibt das Problem bestehen. PFAS sind weltweit verbreitet und reichern sich massiv in der Umwelt sowie im menschlichen Körper an.

Kontamination

People are exposed to PFAS in several ways. The most common routes include contaminated food and water, consumer products, and exposure at the workplace. Over time, these chemicals build up in the human body. There is also clear evidence that PFAS can be transferred from mothers to their children.

Biomonitoring studies across Europe confirm that PFAS are present in the general population. Interestingly, men usually show higher levels in their bodies than women. Although concentrations of some regulated PFAS have decreased recently, the risk remains. New PFAS variants and their continued use in many products pose an ongoing threat to our health.

Situation in Europa

The situation in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland reflects a broader European trend. These countries face massive challenges in identifying and reducing PFAS pollution. The contamination stems from various sources, including industrial activities, firefighting foams, and everyday consumer products.

Die Bewältigung dieser Altlastenverschmutzung ist schwierig. Sie erfordert strenge Überwachung, neue Vorschriften und die Entwicklung wirksamer Sanierungsstrategien. Diese Schritte sind unerlässlich, um die langfristigen Auswirkungen von PFAS auf die Umwelt zu bekämpfen.

Die Bekämpfung der PFAS-Kontamination erfordert aufgrund ihrer weitverbreiteten Verwendung und ihrer Persistenz in der Umwelt einen vielschichtigen Ansatz. Im Folgenden werden einige Strategien vorgestellt, die verfolgt werden, um die Herausforderungen durch PFAS zu bewältigen:

Regulierungsmaßnahmen

• Restriction of use: Introduction of strict regulations to limit the production and use of PFAS in consumer products, industrial applications and fire-fighting foams. The European Union, for example, is on the way to a comprehensive restriction of the non-essential use of PFAS.
• Setting standards: Establish and enforce environmental standards and guidelines for PFAS in water, soil and air to protect human health and the environment. This includes setting limits for PFAS in drinking water, as already in place in some US states and proposed at EU level.

Entschlackungstechnologien

• Water treatment: Modern water treatment processes such as granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange resins and high pressure membranes (reverse osmosis) are effective in removing PFAS from the water supply.
• Soil remediation: Techniques such as soil washing, stabilisation and excavation are currently being researched to remove or contain PFAS in contaminated soils. However, these methods are still under development and can be costly.

Prävention und Kontrolle

• Alternative materials: Researching and promoting the use of safer alternatives to PFAS in products and industrial processes. This includes the development of non-fluorinated chemicals for use in consumer products such as textiles, food packaging and firefighting foams.
• Best practices in industry: Encourage industry to adopt best practices for dealing with PFAS, including reducing emissions, improving waste management and conducting regular environmental monitoring.

Politische Maßnahmen und Gemeinschaftsaktionen tionen

• Raising awareness and educating the public: Raising awareness of the risks of PFAS and encouraging consumer choices that avoid products containing PFAS can increase demand for safer alternatives.
• Community involvement: Involving the affected communities in decision-making processes and remediation measures to ensure that their concerns and needs are taken into account.

Forschung und Innovation

• Environmental monitoring: Expand monitoring programmes to better understand the distribution of PFAS in the environment and identify highly contaminated sites.
• Health research: Support epidemiological and toxicological research to better understand the health effects of exposure to PFAS and to develop regulatory standards.
• Technological innovation: Investment in research and development for new remediation technologies and materials that can replace PFAS in various applications.

Bewältigung

In tackling the complex and persistent challenge of PFAS contamination, the way forward requires not only strong regulatory action and community engagement, but also the relentless search for new, innovative and effective technological solutions. The fight against these “perennial chemicals” emphasises the need for concerted action that harnesses scientific research, technological advances and the expertise of environmental professionals.

In this context, GAIA Conseils, a Swiss research bureau, wants to support research and bring it to the public domain. With its focus on developing technical solutions to environmental challenges, GAIA Conseils represents the kind of expertise and innovative thinking that is essential to tackling the PFAS crisis. By supporting projects aimed at developing advanced remediation technologies, we can contribute valuable knowledge and skills that can accelerate progress towards effective PFAS management strategies.

Collaboration between regulatory agencies, research institutions, affected communities and specialised engineering firms like ours is critical. Through these partnerships, we can hope to advance our understanding of PFAS behaviour in the environment, improve detection methods and removal, and ultimately protect public health and the ecosystem from their effects.

The way to a comprehensive solution to the PFAS problem will undoubtedly be long and complex, but with persistent effort and collaboration, we can make significant progress in reducing their presence in the environment and mitigating their impact on human health and the environment. The question is not whether we can tackle the PFAS problem, but how quickly and effectively we can mobilise the resources, knowledge and technologies at our disposal to do so.

Other sources:

Spatial distribution and distribution behaviour of selected poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in freshwater ecosystems: A nationwide study in France – ScienceDirect

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – ECHA (europa.eu)

Interactive map: PFAS contamination crisis: New data shows 5,021 sites in 50 states (ewg.org)

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L’article How can we win against the PFAS challenge? est apparu en premier sur Gaia Conseils.

Switzerland, like many other countries, has begun to address the regulation of PFAS¹ (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Switzerland’s approach to regulating PFAS involves several government agencies and ordinances and may have evolved since then. Here are some key points about the regulatory system for PFAS in Switzerland.

¹ Our last post

Quality of drinking water: ” Groundwater is Switzerland’s most important drinking water resource: 80% of drinking water is obtained from groundwater.” ^{2 Source}

In Switzerland, there are regulations to ensure the quality of drinking water, and PFAS are considered to be a cause for concern. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) have set maximum levels for various substances, also including PFAS, in drinking water. This limit values of the Drinking Water Ordinance TBDV apply to PFAS in groundwater. The ordinance currently contains limit values of 0.3 or 0.5 micrograms per litre for three individual PFAS.²

Environmental regulations:

The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is responsible for dealing with environmental issues, including PFAS contamination. Switzerland has taken measures to assess and control the presence of PFAS in the environment. (Motion 22.3929 by Councillor of States Marianne Maret) This may include regulations on the release of PFAS into water bodies and measures to investigate and remediate contaminated sites.

Regulation of chemicals:

Regulation of chemicals: The regulation of chemicals, including PFAS, also falls within the remit of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. (Postulate 22.4585 by National Councillor Tiana Moser) The regulation of chemical substances in Switzerland can be influenced by international agreements and EU regulations, as Switzerland often aligns its policies with those of its European neighbours.

Product regulations: Although Switzerland has specific regulations for the use of PFAS in consumer products, these can vary greatly and are often influenced by broader EU regulations. The market is evolving, so it is important to keep abreast of the latest developments in this area.

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L’article PFAS, an issue? est apparu en premier sur Gaia Conseils.

There are thousands of different PFAS compounds, but the two most well-known and extensively studied members of this group are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). These substances have been used in the manufacturing of various products, including:

• Non-stick cookware (Teflon coatings)
• Water-resistant clothing
• Firefighting foams (Aqueous Film-Forming Foams, or AFFF)
• Stain-resistant coatings for carpets and upholstery
• Food packaging materials
• Electrical and electronic components
• Some industrial processes

The widespread use and persistence of PFAS in the environment have raised concerns about their potential health effects. Studies have shown that exposure to certain PFAS compounds may be associated with various health problems, including:

• Developmental and reproductive issues
• Liver damage
• Immune system suppression
• Certain types of cancer
• High cholesterol levels
• Thyroid disruption

Due to these concerns, regulatory agencies and governments around the world have taken steps to regulate and reduce the use of PFAS. Many countries, including the United States, have established guidelines and regulations to limit the presence of certain PFAS compounds in drinking water and various products.

Efforts are also being made to remediate contaminated sites and find safer alternatives to PFAS in manufacturing and consumer products. The management and regulation of PFAS continue to be an active area of research and policy development to protect human health and the environment.

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L’article PFAS – What is it? est apparu en premier sur Gaia Conseils.