Concerns over the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” have intensified following statements by United Nations expert Bethanie Carney Almroth. Almroth emphasizes that these toxic substances significantly undermine the fundamental human right to a healthy and safe environment. According to a recent UN report, PFAS are alarmingly persistent, with estimates suggesting they could remain in ecosystems for centuries due to the lack of effective removal technologies.
PFAS, initially introduced during the 1900s for applications in non-stick and waterproof products, are now found in a wide array of consumer goods, including cookware and cosmetics. The widespread use of these chemicals has led to their infiltration into drinking water and food systems, posing serious health threats such as cancer and disruptions to the immune system. Particularly concerning is their detection in many pregnant women, potentially affecting newborn health.
Despite their severe implications, PFAS are most concentrated in industrial regions like the United States and southeastern China. Alarmingly, these chemicals have dispersed globally through water systems and air, affecting small communities and developing nations, including those in Africa and the Pacific.
In the United States, PFAS contamination is notably concentrated along the east coast, although nearly all states report levels exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards. The EPA has recently begun implementing legal limits on PFAS in drinking water, a move long overdue, particularly as research dating back several decades highlights the hazards these chemicals pose. However, the effectiveness of these new measures has been hampered by recent regulatory rollbacks.
The dissemination of PFAS contravenes the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, a right highlighted by the UN though lacking legal binding force for member states. Nevertheless, this non-binding recognition has influenced numerous countries to embed environmental protections within their constitutions.
The UN report further asserts the breach of principles such as “the polluter pays,” as outlined in the Rio Declaration, which obligates polluters to bear the costs of environmental damage. Nevertheless, international regulatory frameworks like the Montreal Protocol and the Basel Convention inadequately tackle the regulation of PFAS, a critique echoed by groups such as the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).
Almroth advocates not only for cleanup efforts but also for preventative measures including rigorous monitoring, inspections, and enhancement of public information dissemination. Discussions continue as nations and civil society aim to address the pervasive issue of forever chemicals in efforts to safeguard global environmental health.