The European Commission warned that inaction against pollution by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals”, could cost the European Union around 440 billion euros between now and 2050.
It is the main conclusion of a study commissioned by the Community Executive to the independent consultancies Trinomics, WSP and Ricardo and published this Thursday, which underlines that reducing the impact of these compounds “at source” is by far the most cost-effective option compared to subsequent solutions such as water treatment.
“Addressing these types of PFAS emissions at their source from now until 2040 would save 110 billion euros, while only treating contaminated water would cost more than a trillion euros,” the analysis points out.
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The study also warns that the actual damage could be significantly higher, as it has not been possible to fully quantify or monetize the effects on ecosystems, although there is evidence of impacts on key ecosystem services such as food production, aquaculture or climate regulation.
The analysis compares different scenarios, from maintaining the current situation to a total ban on production and use, and concludes that acting at the source is the option with the lowest economic cost in the long term.
However, the estimate is based solely on a limited number of already regulated PFAS, warn the authors, who add that the costs associated with other emerging substances could not be quantified due to a lack of sufficient scientific data.
The Commission will use the study as a basis for discussions in the EU on those synthetic compounds that take centuries or millennia to degrade and that cause health problems such as alterations in the immune system, cancer, reproductive or fertility problems, thyroid disorders or complications during pregnancy.
The European Commission has already banned some PFAS from consumer products and is considering eliminating them in other areas, but with certain exceptions in strategic sectors, where they may continue to be used as long as there are no viable alternatives.
According to European Commissioner for the Environment, Jessika Roswall, in a talk with EFE and other media last week, economic sectors know that PFAS will soon be further restricted and are already taking measures.
“It’s feasible, the industry is already preparing,” commented the Swedish Christian Democrat.
Before making a decision, expected at the end of 2026, the Commission expects to receive opinions from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on the risk of PFAS and on the socioeconomic impact of their prohibition.
