Chemicals industry accused of aggressive lobbying against PFAS ban

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🗞️ Driving the news: European NGOs and media investigations reveal a coordinated campaign by the chemicals industry to weaken EU restrictions on PFAS, toxic substances known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment
• Lobbyists argue that bans would harm Europe's industrial competitiveness
The European Commission denies undue influence, while NGOs demand stricter controls

🔭 The context: PFAS have been used since the 1940s in products like non-stick pans and semiconductors but are linked to severe health risks, including cancer and hormonal disruption
• A 2023 proposal by five EU countries calls for a blanket ban to prevent replacing banned PFAS with unregulated ones
• Intense lobbying challenges this, as industry claims no viable alternatives exist and warns of economic fallout

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: PFAS contamination is costly and dangerous, with cleanup expenses across Europe estimated at €100bn annually and health costs reaching €84bn
• The substances are already detectable in the blood of all tested populations, posing a significant threat to public health and the environment

⏭️ What's next: The European Chemicals Agency's committees are reviewing the proposal, with potential regulatory changes looming
• Environmental advocates push for comprehensive restrictions and a ban on private lobbying meetings, while industry prepares alternative proposals to influence outcomes

💬 One quote: "Aggressive and potentially misleading lobbying threatens the policies on the table," - Hélène Duguy of ClientEarth, warning that regulatory shifts are inevitable

📈 One stat: €100bn per year is the estimated cost of PFAS cleanup in Europe

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