On January 29, 2025, communities affected by PFAS contamination in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands – in collaboration with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and WeMove Europe – sent an open letter to Ursula von der Leyen.
These citizens experience first-hand the effects of PFAS substances, carcinogenic, genotoxic and ‘forever chemicals’, that is, persistent in the environment. They are therefore asking for a meeting with the European Commission, by March 2025, to ban these substances and compensate the victims. (1)
PFAS, poisons and lobbies
Industrial lobbying has delayed for decades the necessary measures to contain PFAS, as documented by the investigation ‘The Forever Lobbying Project’ that we have already shared. (2)
‘Allow this to continue under your Presidency would be in direct contradiction to the commitment you made in 2019 to ensure that no one is left behind’, the activists write.
23 contaminated sites in Europe
In Europe there are 23,000 sites contaminated by PFAS. Of these, more than 2,100 are considered PFAS ‘epicenters’ across the continent. Those living near these sites endure a toxicity burden one hundred times greater than the average European citizen.
‘The impact on our health, environment and livelihoods has been profound and urgent action is needed to address this ongoing disaster’.
Listening to understand
At the meeting with the President of the European Commission, representatives of the communities affected by the effects of PFAS will provide useful testimonies to better understand the extent of the problem.
Pollution of soil, water and food is a daily threat.
‘PFAS are a bomb triggered in the body of our children, we do not know when it will explode, we do not know which organ it will hit, whether the reproductive system, the thyroid, the heart, the kidneys or something else. We are certain that they are present in the blood and tissues. These molecules must not be there. When the institutions are not able to protect our children, it is up to us mothers’, testifies Michela Piccoli from Trissino (Vicenza, Italy), a group of Mothers no PFAS.
What to do. Immediately
The actions to be taken with the utmost urgency are clear:
– ban PFAS chemicals to stop further harmful pollution at the source,
– conduct comprehensive monitoring and remediation of contaminated water and soil from all PFAS pollution hotspots in Europe,
– provide medical, psychological, legal and financial compensation for those who have been harmed by decades of negligence, ensuring justice and relief for victims,
– ensure that polluters pay the costs of monitoring, clean-up and compensation,
– accelerate the development and adoption of safe alternatives to PFAS.
Marta Strinati
Footnotes
(1) PFAS pollution: European affected communities’ call for action and request for a meeting. EEB (European Environmental Bureau). 29.1.25 https://eeb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Letter-to-Ursula-Von-Der-Leyen-from-PFAS-affected-communities.pdf
(2) Dario Dongo. Dossier – PFAS, industrial lobbies and politics against public health. Petition. FT (Food Times). 21.1.25
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
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