Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, have found themselves at the centre of European environmental and industrial policy in 2026. These synthetic chemical compounds, called „forever chemicals” due to their extraordinary persistence in the environment, are present in thousands of everyday products – from non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing to firefighting foams and cosmetics. According to European Commission research, if the current level of PFAS contamination continues until 2050, the social and health costs for the European Union could reach 440 billion euros. For Poland, where groundwater testing has detected PFAS in 19 percent of sampled wells, this problem has not only environmental but also economic and social dimensions.
PFAS are a group of over 10,000 synthetic chemical compounds that have been widely used in industry since the 1940s. Their common feature is the presence of strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which are among the strongest chemical bonds in nature. It is this extraordinary stability that makes PFAS extremely resistant to degradation in the environment. These substances do not biodegrade nor break down under the influence of sunlight or high temperatures – hence their common name „forever chemicals”.
PFAS are used in the production of thousands of products due to their unique properties: resistance to water, grease and stains, thermal stability and surface-active properties. They can be found in non-stick coatings such as Teflon, in waterproof clothing and footwear, in impregnated carpets and upholstery, in food packaging, for example in pizza boxes and popcorn bags, in firefighting foams, cosmetics, and even in carbon water filters. This pervasiveness means that exposure to PFAS is practically unavoidable, as these substances have already been detected in drinking water, soil, food, and in the blood of humans and animals around the world.
The scale of the problem in Europe
Europe is facing a serious challenge related to PFAS contamination. According to a report by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment, published on 29 January 2026, the costs associated with PFAS contamination, assuming current emission levels continue until 2050, could amount to approximately 440 billion euros. These costs include both expenditure on water treatment and remediation of contaminated sites, as well as health costs related to exposure to these substances.
Even more detailed estimates indicate that the costs of adapting water supply systems to new EU drinking water standards alone could reach 86 billion euros by 2050. If the costs of treating water for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) – one of the breakdown products of PFAS – were also included, this amount rises to 298 billion euros. Meanwhile, the costs of water remediation to achieve environmental standards for PFAS are estimated at 1.5 trillion euros. These enormous figures show that PFAS contamination is not only an environmental problem but also one of the most serious economic challenges facing Europe. It is estimated that remedial actions costing hundreds of billions of euros annually could clean up less than 2 percent of PFAS, demonstrating that simply removing contamination will not solve the problem – it is primarily necessary to stop emissions at source.
Impact on health and the environment
Scientific research unequivocally indicates the harmful effects of PFAS on human and animal health. Exposure to these substances has been linked to a range of negative health effects, including liver damage, thyroid disease, immune system toxicity, reproductive problems and various types of cancer. PFAS also exhibit endocrine and metabolic disrupting effects. Particularly concerning is the fact that PFAS accumulate in living organisms (bioaccumulation) and move through the food chain. They have already been detected in animal organisms, including fish from the Masurian lakes, indicating the pervasiveness of contamination.
Exposure to PFAS occurs primarily through consumption of contaminated drinking water and food. Additionally, short-chain PFAS compounds, which have replaced their longer-chain counterparts in production, such as PFOS and PFOA, are also causing concern among scientists. The environmental impact of PFAS is equally serious. Due to their persistence, these substances spread over long distances and accumulate in aquatic and soil ecosystems. In Poland, research conducted as part of national groundwater monitoring detected PFAS in 19 percent of sampled wells, mainly in areas exposed to agricultural and industrial impact as well as in urban agglomerations.
EU regulatory framework
The European Union has taken decisive action to limit the production, use and emission of PFAS. In January 2023, five member states – Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden – submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency to restrict the production, placing on the market and use of PFAS as a group of chemical substances. The aim of the proposal is to reduce PFAS emissions to the environment and increase the safety of products and industrial processes.
The legislative process is currently at an advanced stage. In March 2026, ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) adopted its opinion on the proposed restriction, assessing whether it is appropriate to reduce risks to human health and the environment. At the same time, the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) agreed on a draft opinion, which is to be finalised by the end of 2026. Based on these two opinions, the European Commission will present a draft restriction for discussion and voting in the REACH Committee.
The Commission is obliged to present a proposal for restrictions as soon as possible after receiving the final opinions from ECHA. The proposed regulations are expected to include a ban on the use of PFAS in consumer products such as cosmetics, food contact materials and outdoor clothing. At the same time, the Commission emphasises that the regulatory approach will be robust, proportionate and based on scientific evidence, aimed at protecting human health and the environment while safeguarding critical industrial applications. In March 2026, EU Innovation and Substitution Hubs were also launched to support the identification of alternatives to PFAS and accelerate the development of safer and more sustainable solutions.
The situation in Poland
Poland, as a member of the European Union, is obliged to implement new regulations on PFAS. From 12 January 2026, updated regulations on monitoring PFAS in drinking water came into force across the European Union. In Poland, the new regulation of the Minister of Health on the quality of water intended for human consumption came into force on 24 June 2026. Water suppliers are obliged to carry out the first risk assessments in supply systems by 30 June 2026.
Poland is also preparing for systematic testing for PFAS. Laboratories of the State Sanitary Inspection in six locations have been prepared to carry out PFAS testing in drinking water. This is an important step towards monitoring the scale of contamination and protecting public health. At the same time, the first signals of the scale of the problem are emerging in Poland. Monitoring studies have detected PFAS in 19 percent of sampled groundwater wells. In Oborniki, PFAS levels in drinking water were tested, showing that the concentration is more than twelve times lower than the future EU limit, indicating that the situation in individual regions may vary. Experts emphasise, however, that the Polish water and sewage sector faces a costly revolution related to the new PFAS requirements.
Economic consequences
PFAS regulations have enormous economic consequences for the entire economy. On the one hand, the costs associated with contamination are astronomical – estimated at up to 440 billion euros by 2050. On the other hand, the introduction of restrictions itself entails costs for industry. Socio-economic analyses indicate that a total ban on PFAS could cost the EU economy 562.8 billion euros in the first year and generate recurring annual costs of 72.8 billion euros. This would affect 39,000 businesses, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises, and 2.9 million workers.
On the other hand, the new regulations also create opportunities for the water treatment technology market. The new EU drinking water standards, which came into force in 2026, are accelerating investment in PFAS removal technologies. It is estimated that the new standards could unlock opportunities worth many billions of euros over the next decade, as local governments invest in water treatment systems. The activated carbon market alone, which is key to the PFAS removal process, reached a value of approximately $1.12 billion in 2026.
Alternatives to PFAS
In response to growing regulatory pressure and awareness of the risks, industry and science are seeking alternatives to PFAS. One of the key challenges is finding substitutes that provide similar properties (water resistance, stain resistance, thermal stability) but are safe for health and the environment. The EU Innovation and Substitution Hubs, launched in March 2026, are precisely designed to support the identification of alternatives to PFAS and accelerate the development of safer and more sustainable solutions. However, this process is lengthy and costly, and in many applications, especially in the aerospace, automotive and medical industries, finding suitable replacements is extremely difficult.
PFAS have become a problem on a European scale for several reasons. Their widespread use in thousands of products has made them ubiquitous in the environment. Their extraordinary persistence means they will remain in soil, water and living organisms for decades or even centuries. A growing body of scientific research unequivocally indicates serious risks to human and animal health associated with exposure to these substances. The costs associated with contamination, both those resulting from the need to treat water and those related to health, are astronomical. The European Union has taken action to limit PFAS emissions, and the legislative process, which will culminate in a restriction under REACH, is in its final phase. For Poland, this means the need to adapt to new drinking water standards, invest in treatment technologies and implement a PFAS monitoring system. The challenge is enormous, but it is solvable with the right combination of regulation, innovation and public awareness.
