MPs urge a ban on ‘forever chemical’ in uniforms, frying pans and other everyday products. UK launches plan to combat ‘forever chemical’ amid growing concernFirms are ordered to reduce forever chemicals from drinking water sources for six million people. “Nearly everyone will have some PFAS in their bodies.” Toby Perkins, Chair of the Environment Audit Committee, said that the evidence we heard during our inquiry suggested that our dependence on PFAS had a cost for the environment and perhaps even our health. There is not much research on all PFAS but some have been proven to be carcinogenic and toxic – increasing the risks of kidney cancer and rising cholesterol. Perkins said the public shouldn’t panic, but that “now is the right time to act”, before pollution worsens. Just a few months ago, the government released its own PFAS Plan. However, the committee found it “disproportionately focused on expanding PFAS Monitoring rather than preventing and remediating contamination”. Cookware, food packaging, and everyday clothing are likely to be affected by the removal of PFAS. It’s shocking how many products contain PFAS. They’re often added for convenience, [e.g.] The school uniforms are stain-resistant. But consumers don’t realize that. Dr Dave Megson is a reader in chemistry at Manchester Met University. Other recommendations include:Apply the “polluter pays principle” where companies using the chemicals pay for the cost of clean upEstablish a remediation fund for those communities dealing with high levels of legacy pollutionIncrease the number of incinerators to destroy PFAS in waste productsEnvironmental groups, academics and research institutions reacted positively to these proposals. Stephanie Metzger from the Royal Society of Chemistry said that it was “excellent”. The committee also agreed that the government should introduce mandatory rules instead of allowing the industry to self-police. Mat Young, a member of Cleaner Bentham a community group working to clean up high levels of PFAS pollution in their town of Yorkshire, said he had been “really impressed”. “There is no recourse at all.” The idea of a remediation fund is brilliant, but it should have been implemented decades ago. “Town brings a legal case over forever chemicals” But industry groups disputed the report’s conclusions. Tobias Gerfin, from the Federation of the European Cookware, Cutlery and Houseware Industries, stated that “banning the application of this application is really not the right way to move forward.” The EU is expected to approve a ban similar to that proposed by the committee later this year. The committee warned that the UK would be at risk of falling behind if the government did not introduce the same measure. “Related internet LinksEnvironment Audit CommitteeFears of ‘forever chemical’ at development siteWater PollutionEnvironment
