Supporting a PFAS-free society to protect environmental
and public health from ‘forever chemicals’
PFASfree WEBSITE
A FIDRA PROJECT
PFASfree
PFAS are a group of over 10,000 industrial chemicals used in many everyday items that now pollute air, soil, and water around the world. These ‘forever chemicals’ build-up along food chains, causing harm to both people and wildlife. PFAS have been connected with a wide range of health concerns including growth, learning and behavioural problems, cancer, immune system disorders and fertility issues. The extreme persistence of these chemicals means their presence has the ability to risk environmental and public health for generations to come.
Fidra is dedicated to supporting the transition toward a PFAS-free society. Our work includes case studies on PFAS use in school uniforms, paper and board food packaging, as well as our current project focusing on PFAS use in pesticides.
PFAS have been found in hundreds of wildlife species across the globe, including UK otter populations. Image: Mana5280, Unsplash
THE PROBLEM
PFAS are extremely persistent, highly mobile, and can bioaccumulate in wildlife and people. While little is known about the majority of these chemicals, those that have been studied in depth have been linked to serious environmental and human health concerns. Despite these risks, PFAS continue to be used in a wide range of products, including clothing, furniture, cosmetics, food packaging, cookware, and pesticides.
PFAS pollution is widespread in the environment, where these ‘forever chemicals’ can accumulate in wildlife and people. Image: Fidra
THE SOLUTION
The PFAS pollution crisis is one of the greatest chemical threats of our time. Fidra is therefore calling for an urgent transition toward a PFAS-free society, restricting all avoidable uses while promoting innovation for safer alternatives. Many industries are already working to phase PFAS out of their supply chains, and a growing number of PFAS-free solutions are now readily available. This progress must be supported by a strong regulatory framework to ensure a level playing field for all UK businesses and effective protection for both people and the environment.
PFAS are used in pesticides across the UK. Image: Magda Vrabetz, Unsplash
OUR ASKS
EU alignment & a PFAS-free society
We’re calling on the UK Government to protect the environment and public health by aligning with EU chemical regulation, including the proposed universal PFAS restriction.
PFAS in pesticides
To protect soil health and ensure future food security, we’re calling on the UK Government to phase out all uses of PFAS in pesticides as part of a broader PFAS restriction. We’re also calling for stronger commitments and support to reduce reliance on pesticides and for improved transparency of all pesticide ingredients along supply chains.
PFAS can be found in a wide range of everyday products, including clothing, cosmetics and food packaging. Image: Alexandra Gorn, Unsplash
WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED
Fidra worked with UK supermarkets to successfully encourage a phase-out of PFAS-based stain resistant coatings in school uniforms.
Fidra published a report, ‘Forever Chemicals in the Food Aisle’, demonstrating the widespread use of PFAS in paper and cardboard food packaging, and through dialogue with the UK food sector, have seen major UK supermarkets commit to take action on PFAS in their food packaging.
Fidra published a report, ‘PFAS Active Substances in UK Pesticides‘, demonstrating the widespread use of PFAS in pesticides across the UK, as well as multiple case studies of farmers actively working to reduce their reliance on chemical inputs.
MORE AT OUR
WEBSITE