Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), better known as “forever chemicals”, are a family of more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer products and industrial processes. They are persistent and do not naturally break down in the environment. Some are toxic, accumulate in living organisms and have been linked to various diseases, including cancers, immune deficiency, hormone disruption and developmental problems.
A report for the Environment Agency identified more than 10,000 “high-risk sites” contaminated with PFAS. Active investigations, legal actions, and calls for comprehensive remediation highlight the urgency to address these persistent chemicals.
