Latest News

EU bans use of "forever chemicals" in firefighting foams

The European Commission announced on Friday that it would restrict the use in firefighting foams of substances known by the acronym PFAS or "forever chemical". This is a significant step in the EU's goal to reduce the use in consumer products of PFAS.

The PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated substance) do not degrade in the environment and this raises concerns over the effects of their accumulation in drinking water, ecosystems and human bodies.

The restriction is expected to be in place by the end this month, but there are transition periods that can range from a few weeks for certain industries up to 10 years based on usage.

After six months, the sale of portable extinguishers that contain PFAS is restricted. Extinguishers for training, testing and municipal fire services are restricted after 18-months.

For industrial sites with high risks, covered by EU safety regulations, such as those that store large quantities of flammable fluids, a 10-year transition period is established.

Around 60% of firefighting fluids contain PFAS. It has caused contamination of drinking water and soil. Jessika Roswall, EU Environment Commissioner said: "This is a significant step forward in tackling PFAS contamination across Europe." Charlotte Van Campenhout, Emelia Sithole Matarise and Charlotte Van Campenhout contributed to this report.

(source: Reuters)