PFAS and the protection of water reserves: EU guidelines

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an increasing threat to freshwater and human health. To complement earlier initiatives, the European Commission published Communication C/2024/4910 with technical guidelines on analytical methods for monitoring PFAS in water intended for human consumption (OJ EU, 7 August 2024). The new guidelines aim to harmonize monitoring and analytical methods across the EU, improving data comparability and protecting water resources.

What recent studies say

• Dermal absorption: human 3D skin models show dermal bioavailability of certain PFAS; caution is advised for products with prolonged skin contact.
• Fruit and vegetables: surveys of widely consumed produce in Australia detected several PFAS (e.g. PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS), highlighting the need for targeted monitoring.
• Landfills: aerosols from biogas/“odors” and leachates can transport PFAS into the air and groundwater if containment systems are ineffective.
• Sea and salt spray: sea spray can release and return perfluoroalkyl acids to shore, contributing to their global coastal transport.

Towards uniform monitoring and effective prevention

The combination of EU technical guidelines and new scientific evidence underlines the urgency of coordinated monitoring and preventive actions across the entire water chain: control of sources (industry/landfills), advanced water treatment, traceability, and transparency for consumers.

References: Communication C/2024/4910; Ragnarsdóttir & Abdallah, Environment International (2024); Liu et al., J Sci Food Agric (2024); Lin et al., ES&T Letters (2024); Bo et al., Science Advances (2024).