Cleanup Costs for PFAS Pollution in the UK and Europe Could Exceed £1.6 Trillion

A new report reveals that the cleanup cost for toxic PFAS pollution, commonly known as "forever chemicals," could rise to over £1.6 trillion in the UK and Europe over the next 20 years. The annual expense could reach £84 billion, with the UK alone incurring nearly £10 billion each year if current emissions remain unregulated.

PFAS, a group of over 10,000 human-made chemicals, are widely utilized in various products, including nonstick cookware, food packaging, and waterproof clothing. Their durability, while useful, leads to significant health and environmental risks, as they persist in the environment and human bodies, contributing to serious health problems such as cancers and reproductive issues.

Currently, there are increasing pollution hotspots in the UK, particularly around landfills and airports, where PFAS contamination has been documented. Recent sampling by the Drinking Water Inspectorate has indicated hundreds of instances of untreated drinking water exceeding safety levels for PFAS.

Experts highlight that the minimum expense to remediate existing pollution in the UK alone is estimated at £428 million annually for the next two decades, which does not account for wider socioeconomic impacts or additional health care costs. Environmental groups urge the government to take decisive action to restrict the use of these chemicals and enhance regulations to prevent further contamination.

As the issue gains public attention, a YouGov poll indicates that a majority of UK citizens support immediate restrictions on the use of known toxic PFAS. The Royal Society of Chemistry is pushing for stronger legislative measures to safeguard public health.

The UK government, in response to these findings, is evaluating steps to limit PFAS use, particularly in firefighting foams, and has earmarked £2 billion in investments to improve water quality, which includes addressing PFAS contamination.