The cost of cleaning up pollution from toxic “forever chemicals” across the UK and Europe could surpass £1.6 trillion over the next 20 years, according to a year-long investigation by the Forever Lobbying Project.
The annual bill could reach £84 billion, with the UK alone potentially facing costs of £9.9 billion a year if emissions remain uncontrolled.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of over 10,000 human-made chemicals widely used in consumer goods and industrial processes.
Known for their durability and resistance to heat, grease, and water, they are found in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foams, and even cosmetics.
However, these same properties make PFAS nearly indestructible, and they persist in the environment and living organisms, with links to infertility, cancers, immune disorders, and hormone disruption.
Escalating Costs and Contamination Hotspots
The UK faces a monumental challenge in tackling PFAS pollution. Contamination hotspots include landfills, airports, military sites, sewage outfalls, and areas where firefighting foams have been extensively used.
Drinking water samples across the UK revealed alarming levels of PFAS, with 278 cases exceeding maximum guidance thresholds and over 255,000 samples requiring action to reduce contamination.
The estimated cost to remediate existing pollution, including contaminated soils and treating 5% of large water supply zones, stands at £428 million annually over 20 years.
These figures are considered conservative, as they exclude socioeconomic and health system costs and assume an immediate halt to PFAS emissions.
Calls for Action and Regulation
Experts argue that preventing PFAS emissions is more cost-effective than cleaning up pollution. Ali Ling from the St Thomas School of Engineering stated: “The minimum costs represent what’s needed to manage environmental health risks from past PFAS use. Restricting the chemical’s current applications is vital to prevent further contamination.”
A YouGov survey for the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) revealed strong public support for tighter PFAS regulations, with more than 75% of respondents calling for immediate bans or stricter controls. Increased regulation on industries using PFAS was the most popular proposed measure.
The RSC has urged the government to include protections from PFAS in the forthcoming water special measures bill. Stephanie Metzger, the RSC’s chemistry policy adviser, stated: “This bill is a crucial first step. We need a national PFAS inventory and stricter limits on industrial discharges to safeguard public health and the environment.”
Environmental and Government Responses
Environmental groups have criticised the UK government for its weak regulatory framework. A spokesperson for ChemTrust called the costs of inaction “staggering,” urging an immediate ban to protect wildlife and human health.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) responded by outlining measures under review, including restrictions on PFAS in firefighting foams.
It also highlighted Ofwat’s 2024 price review, which allocates £2 billion to improve water quality, including addressing PFAS contamination.
A Defra spokesperson emphasised the government’s commitment:
“We are rapidly reviewing our environmental improvement plan to meet legally binding targets for nature protection, including managing PFAS risks.”
A Growing Crisis
With over 10,000 high-risk PFAS-contaminated sites identified in the UK, the cleanup challenge is monumental.
As experts push for better funding and innovative solutions, the focus remains on preventing further contamination while addressing the existing toxic legacy left behind by decades of industrial use.
