Top European Leaders Test Positive for Cancerous 'Forever Chemicals'/PFAS [View all]

- Top European Leaders Test Positive for Cancerous ‘Forever Chemicals,’ Bloomberg News, Jan. 31, 2024. - Ed. Campaign argues no one is safe from ‘forever chemicals’ Substances are used in a variety of consumer products.

Chemicals linked to severe health issues including cancer, infertility, birth defects and immune system disruptions are everywhere and no one is safe from them — not even top politicians, according to a campaign advocating for a EU-wide ban. Former VPs of the European Commission including Frans Timmermans and the environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius took part in the campaign, which tested EU officials’ blood for per- and polyfluorinated chemicals, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals.

The toxic substances were found in all tested individuals, with 5 politicians exceeding what are deemed safe levels. "They invade our environment, home-grown vegetables, fish, and our bodies, where they persist forever,” Timmermans said in a statement. “We must stop all emissions of this legalized garbage — we call on Europe to fully ban the use of these chemicals.” Some forever chemicals are banned in the EU, while the use of others is strictly regulated, but 5 EU countries are advocating for a ban on around 10,000 PFAS.

The chemical industry that produces them opposes the proposals and argues there are often no good alternatives, although some manufacturers in the clothing sector have started to come up with solutions. The fashion industry has long relied on PFAS to, for example, make products like raincoats, boots and backpacks resistant to water and stains. Labeling has been vague so far, meaning consumers often have a hard time figuring out what they’re buying.

The Exec. Director of the European Environment Agency said, “We should manage the risks of chemicals in groups, promote chemicals that are safe and sustainable by design, and phase out the most harmful substances.” Major pollution scandals in certain regions of Italy, France, the Netherlands and Belgium have found people’s exposure to chemicals was 100 times higher there than average. But campaigners say everyone is exposed...
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-31/top-european-leaders-test-positive-for-cancerous-pfas-chemicals