University of British Columbia researchers develop silica-based material with ability to absorb wider range of harmful chemicals. More:

• Canada: scientists discover new method to break down toxic ‘forever chemicals’  –  The Guardian

• Electrochemical degradation of PFOA and its common alternatives: Assessment of key parameters, roles of active species, and transformation pathway (Research abstract)

• High levels of ‘forever chemical’ found in endangered orcas in Canada  –  The Guardian

Through an advocacy campaign from environmental NGO ChemSec, over a hundred consumer brands worth more than €130 billion strongly support a comprehensive ban on these harmful chemicals. Many companies are taking a stand against PFAS chemicals as the EU invites the public to give its opinions on a proposed ban on these harmful chemicals. More:

• Brands worth more than €130 billion want the EU to ban PFAS chemicals  –  ChemSec

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)  –  European Chemical Agency

• Investors pressure top firms to halt production of toxic ‘forever chemicals’  –  The Guardian
• The PFAS Movement  –  ChemSec
• The upcoming PFAS ban is a potential game changer  –  ChemSec

Potentially toxic chemicals found in everyday products, including fast-food wrappers, makeup and carpeting, are altering hormonal and metabolic pathways needed for human growth and development, according to a new study. More:

• Child growth and development hampered by PFAS in blood, study says  –  CNN

• Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) Factsheet  –  US CDC
• PFAS in the U.S. Population  –  US ATSDR

• Makeup may contain potentially toxic chemicals called PFAS, study finds  –  CNN
• Fluorinated Compounds in North American Cosmetics (Research article)

• Doctors should test levels of PFAS in people at high risk, report says  –  CNN
• Metabolic Signatures of Youth Exposure to Mixtures of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Multi-Cohort Study (Research article)
• Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up (download PDF) (Guidance document) 

• How to Reduce Your Exposure to PFAS – PFAS Exchange  –  Silent Spring Institute
• EWG Tap Water Database  –  EWG
• Drinking Water Treatment Units - Health Effects  –  NSF International
• PFASs and alternatives in food packaging (paper and paperboard): Report on the commercial availability and current uses (download PDF) (Report)  –  OECD
• Your guide to safer personal care products  –  EWG

Doctors still do not understand why Parkinson’s occurs. However, the disease has been linked to low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the body. Additionally, people with certain risk factors, such as age and past traumatic brain injury, are more likely to develop the condition. More:

• Parkinson's: Could a common cleaning chemical cause the disease?  –  Medical News Today
• Trichloroethylene- An Invisible Cause of Parkinson’s Disease  –  IOS Press
• Risk Evaluation for Trichloroethylene (download PDF)  –  US EPA

Known colloquially as “forever chemicals,” PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a large group of chemicals that make certain products nonstick or stain resistant. Research indicates that these chemicals can be dangerous. Exposure to PFAS is linked to cancers, weakened immune systems among children, weight gain, and a wide range of other health problems. More:

• PFAS, the “forever chemicals,” explained by a chemist  –  Vox
• 3M Knew About the Harms of PFOA and PFOS  –  The Intercept

• Learn about PFAS  –  US ATSDR
• These toxic chemicals are everywhere — even in your body. And they won’t ever go away.  –  The Washington Post

• Some Bottled Water Brands Have Concerning PFAS Levels, Massachusetts Regulator Warns  –  Consumer Reports
• Reducing chemical exposure on campus, one compostable plate at a time  –  Harvard School of Engineering
• Bill to ban ‘forever chemicals’ from food packaging would eliminate major source of exposure  –  EWG

• Health risks of widely used chemicals may be underestimated  –  Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls  –  US ATSDR
• PFAS Exposure and Risk of Cancer  –  US NCI

• Study: PFAS or “Forever Chemicals” Linked With Increased Risk of Diabetes in Midlife Women  –  AJMC
• PFAS Chemicals Harm the Immune System, Decrease Response to Vaccines, New EWG Review Finds  –  EWG
• Perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and immunity, allergic response, infection, and asthma in children: review of epidemiologic studies (download PDF) (Research article)
• Perfluoroalkyl substances and changes in body weight and resting metabolic rate in response to weight-loss diets: A prospective study (download PDF) (Research article)

• Reverse Osmosis  –  U.S. FDA
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Point-of-Use Residential Drinking Water Filters for Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) (Research article)
• Low-temperature mineralization of perfluorocarboxylic acids (Research abstract)

When people stand up to industry the battle often resembles a David and Goliath fight. Under current EU rules, people cannot claim compensation for damages to their health that result from illegal pollution. As a result, illnesses caused by pollution, such as cancer and heart disease, and even premature death are going unaddressed. But the EU has an opportunity to ensure people’s rights against illegal pollution. More:

• A David and Goliath fight People’s right to compensation against illegal pollution  –  META

• The struggle to survive industry  –  META
• EU Proposals for water are not yet crystal clear  –  META
• Real pesticide action: Our moment to ally politics, people and nature  –  META
• This Valentine’s Day, love is not in the air  –  META

They’re known as “forever” chemicals because they do not break down thanks to strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making it easy for these chemicals to linger in the environment and contaminate drinking water. More:

• What Are Forever Chemicals? Cancer-Causing Chemicals In Water May Be Limited By EPA—Here’s Where Else They Can Be Found  –  Forbes

• PFAS: The Forever Chemicals  –  Clean Water Action
• Learn about PFAS  –  US ATSDR

• 'Forever chemicals' found in animals around the world  –  NBC News

• PFAS in the U.S. Population  –  US ATSDR
• Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS  –  US EPA

• PFAS are in face masks. Should you be concerned?  –  E&E News
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Facemasks Potential Source of Human Exposure to PFAS with Implications for Disposal to Landfills (download PDF) (Research article)

• What are the health effects of PFAS?  –  US ATSDR
• EPA: ‘Forever chemicals’ pose risk even at very low levels  –  AP News
• Higher levels of PFAS exposure may increase chance of Covid, studies say  –  The Guardian
• Severity of COVID-19 at elevated exposure to perfluorinated alkylates (download PDF (Research article) 

• EPA to limit toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water  –  AP News
• FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Combatting PFAS Pollution to Safeguard Clean Drinking Water for All Americans  –  The White House
• Maine bans toxic ‘forever chemicals’ under groundbreaking new law  –  The Guardian
• Board adopts PFAS standards for drinking, surface waters  –  AP News

• 3M Will Discontinue Use Of Hazardous PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ By 2025  –  Forbes

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS are a family of thousands of man-made chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment. A number of PFAS have been linked to serious health problems, including cancer, fertility issues, high cholesterol, hormone disruption, liver damage, obesity and thyroid disease. More:

• PFAS Contamination in the U.S. (Interactive Map)  –  EWG
• EWG Tap Water Database  –  EWG
• How to reduce PFAS in your drinking water, according to experts  –  CNN

• Legacy and alternative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the U.S. general population: Paired serum-urine data from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Research article)
• Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up (download PDF Guidance)  –  The National Academies Press

• Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS  –  US EPA

All toilet paper from across the globe checked for toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” contained the compounds, and the waste flushed down toilets and sent to sewage treatment plants probably creates a significant source of water pollution, new research has found. More:

• Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in toilet paper around the world  –  The Guardian

• New study reveals UF scientists found PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in toilet paper, wastewater  –  WSVN 7News
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Toilet Paper and the Impact on Wastewater Systems (Research abstract)

• Environmental Exposure to 6:2 Polyfluoroalkyl Phosphate Diester and Impaired Testicular Function in Men (Research abstract)

A report on a possible link between a rare brain cancer that killed six professional US baseball players and toxic chemicals in artificial turf is raising a new round of questions over whether synthetic sports fields pose a health threat to athletes and others who use them. More:

• Artificial turf potentially linked to cancer deaths of six Phillies ball players – report  –  The Guardian

• Toxic chemicals are found in blades of artificial turf  –  The Boston Globe
• July 2019 Report: Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization  –  US EPA
• More games or more grass fields? Turf wars play out across Massachusetts  –  GBH

• Boston bans artificial turf in parks due to toxic ‘forever chemicals’  –  The Guardian
• Millbrae enacting temporary ban on new artificial turf  –  The Daily Journal
• RTM proactively bans crumb rubber artificial turf  –  CT Insider

• Impairment of human dopaminergic neurons at different developmental stages by perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA) and differential human brain areas accumulation of perfluoroalkyl chemicals (download PDF) (Research article)
• Use of glioma to assess the distribution patterns of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in human brain (Research abstract)

In-depth research conducted by the Forever Pollution Project in collaboration with Le Monde and The Guardian has revealed that a massive 17,000 sites in Europe and the UK are plagued by dangerous levels of forever chemicals. More:

• Study reveals Europe's dangerous 'forever chemical hotspots'  –  Thred

• Revealed: The massive contamination of Europe by PFAS 'forever chemicals'  –  Le Monde

• Will 'forever chemicals' hinder human reproductive ability?  –  Thred

The High Seas Treaty aims to help place 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030, to safeguard and recuperate marine nature. More:

• Ocean treaty: Historic agreement reached after decade of talks  –  BBC

• Human activity devastating marine species from mammals to corals - IUCN Red List  –  IUCN
• Deep-sea mining  –  IUCN

The gas, which is used to put patients to sleep safely during surgery, has a global warming potential 2,500 times greater than carbon dioxide, according to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). More:

• Scotland becomes the first country to ban the high-emissions anaesthetic desflurane  –  Euronews

• 'Fantastic news': Ozone layer on track to recover within decades, UN reports  –  Euronews

• If healthcare was a country, it would be the world’s fifth largest emitter: What needs to change?  –  Euronews

Experts from the University of Florida warn that your toilet paper could contain toxic “forever chemicals,” also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), which have previously been linked to certain cancers and even low sperm count. More:

• ‘Forever chemicals’ in your toilet paper might give you cancer: study  –  New York Post

• Now We Need to Worry About Harmful 'Forever Chemicals' in Our Toilet Paper Too  –  Time
• Study: Toilet paper adds to ‘forever chemicals’ in wastewater  –  The Hill
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Toilet Paper and the Impact on Wastewater Systems (Research abstract)
• Underestimation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Biosolids: Precursor Transformation During Conventional Treatment (Research abstract)

• Eating just 1 portion of freshwater fish may expose people to toxic chemicals  –  New York Post

• Use of toxic PFAS chemicals in cosmetics is ‘widespread’: study  –  New York Post
• Too many kids use ‘extremely toxic’ toy cosmetics: public health experts  –  New York Post
• Cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals’ found in kids’ school uniforms  –  New York Post
• Thinx ‘non-toxic’ period panties settles $5M lawsuit over harmful chemicals  –  New York Post
• Teflon non-stick pans could release millions of microplastic particles in ‘health concern’: study  –  New York Post

• Toxic PFAS are everywhere — here’s how to avoid them  –  New York Post

• Chemicals in household products could cause cancer, diabetes in kids: study  –  New York Post
• Moms exposed to ‘forever chemicals’ at home linked to low sperm count in sons  –  New York Post
• ‘Forever’ chemicals in cookware linked to liver cancer in first human study  –  New York Post
• Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), and Related Chemicals  –  American Cancer Society

A group of scientists from the Global PFAS Science Panel responds to Le Monde's revelations on Europe's widespread contamination by PFAS, also known as 'forever chemicals' because of their toxicity and persistence in the environment. More:

• 'It is crucial that a strong and effective PFAS restriction enter into force as soon as possible'  –  Le Monde

• Revealed: The massive contamination of Europe by PFAS 'forever chemicals'  –  Le Monde
• 'Forever pollution': Explore the map of Europe's PFAS contamination  –  Le Monde

• 'Forever chemicals': In France, nearly 1,000 PFAS-contaminated sites are largely ignored  –  Le Monde

• 'Forever chemicals': Industrialists lobby to avoid ban on toxic substances  –  Le Monde

The government is investigating and mapping out the sources of dangerous “forever chemicals” present in our waterways. But England will not meet its targets for waterways having good chemical status by 2027, the government admits, in part because of the PFAS “forever chemicals” in our rivers. More:

• ‘Forever chemicals’ mean England’s waters will miss pollution targets for decades  –  The Guardian
• Is the UK absent from the fight against PFAS ‘forever chemical’ pollution?  –  ENDS Report

• Shocking state of English rivers revealed as all of them fail pollution tests  –  The Guardian
• Toxic substances from chemicals firm site found polluting protected river  –  The Guardian

• Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): sources, pathways and environmental data: summary  –  Environmental Agency UK
• Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and related substances: sources, pathways and environmental data (Report) (download PDF)  –  Environmental Agency UK

• Revealed: scale of ‘forever chemical’ pollution across UK and Europe  –  The Guardian

• What are PFAS, how toxic are they and how do you become exposed?  –  The Guardian

A new study reports on a worrying link between higher levels of air pollution and faster bone loss through osteoporosis, a chronic skeletal condition that makes bones more fragile, and likely to break. More:

• Air Pollution Is Making Human Bones More Brittle, Study Suggests  –  ScienceAlert

• Air pollution and decreased bone mineral density among Women's Health Initiative participants (Research article) (download PDF)
• Association of air particulate pollution with bone loss over time and bone fracture risk: analysis of data from two independent studies (Research article) (download PDF)
• Long-term exposure to air pollution might increase prevalence of osteoporosis in Chinese rural population (Research abstract)

Issue d’un travail inédit d’agrégation de données, cette carte permet de visualiser pour la première fois l’ampleur de la contamination de l’Europe par ces substances toxiques et persistantes. More:

• « Polluants éternels » : explorez la carte d’Europe de la contamination par les PFAS  –  Le Monde

• Révélations sur la contamination massive de l’Europe par les PFAS, ces polluants éternels  –  Le Monde
• Quelque 17'000 sites européens contaminés aux PFAS  –  RTS

• Methodology: The Map of Forever Pollution (download PDF)  –  The Forever Pollution Project
• Presumptive Contamination: A New Approach to PFAS Contamination Based on Likely Sources (Research article) (download PDF)

At least 17,000 sites all over Europe are polluted with PFAS – more than 2,100 contain levels so high that they are deemed hazardous to human health. Meanwhile, industry associations and major chemical companies are working hard to water down the upcoming EU ban on PFAS. More:

• Europe is riddled with PFAS – but producers refuse to let go of their cash cow  –  ChemSec

• Journalists tracking PFAS across Europe  –  The Forever Pollution Project
• 'Forever pollution': Explore the map of Europe's PFAS contamination  –  Le Monde

• Studying Social, Scientific, and Political Factors of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances  –  The PFAS Project Lab
• The Cost of Inaction-environmental and health impacts linked to exposure to PFAS (download PDF Report)   –  Nordic Council of Ministers

The EU’s plans to ban PFAS will have a huge impact on companies globally. Perhaps even more than expected, as many manufacturers are unaware that they may have PFAS chemicals in their product line. ChemSec’s new online tool — PFAS Guide — helps solve this problem. More:

• ChemSec helps businesses map PFAS hotspots ahead of EU ban  –  ChemSec

• Emerging chemical risks in Europe — ‘PFAS’  –  European Environment Agency
• PFAS Guide - Find PFAS chemicals in your products  –  ChemSec

• Investors launch initiative to tackle chemical pollution crisis  –  ChemSec
• Investors with $8 trillion call for phase-out of dangerous “forever chemicals”  –  ChemSec