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- Source: European Food Safety Authority https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/podcast/episode-44-forever-chemicals-what-are-health-risks-pfas
PFAS, a large group of persistent chemicals used in everyday products, can enter the human body mainly through food, according to Hans Steinkellner, a scientific expert at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The agency has assessed the health risks of these so-called forever chemicals and provided the scientific basis for maximum levels set by the European Commission and EU member states for certain PFAS in food.
Key facts
What are PFAS and why are they called forever chemicals?
- PFAS are a large group of thousands of chemicals with strong fluorine-carbon bonds that make them highly persistent in the environment, including soil and water.
- Major dietary sources of PFAS include eggs, fish, root vegetables, green vegetables and fruit, with drinking water playing a minor role.
- EFSA published scientific opinions on PFAS in 2008, 2018 and 2020, with the latest considering the newest scientific evidence.
- The European Commission and member states have implemented maximum levels for some PFAS in food.
- Member states are obliged to monitor PFAS levels; products exceeding the maximum levels are removed immediately from the market.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of thousands of industrial chemicals. They have very strong fluorine-carbon bonds that are extremely difficult to break, meaning they do not break down or only after a very long time. Once released, they persist in soil and water and can end up in the food and feed chain and ultimately in the human body, where they can cause adverse effects.
Hans Steinkellner, an EFSA expert, explained that the term "forever chemicals" is catchy but not scientifically accurate. "Some of them really for years, some much less, but they are not forever," he said. "Once you stop producing them or once you stop letting them out in the environment, they will go away - some sooner, some later - but they all will go away." Why are PFAS used in everyday products?
PFAS are valuable industrial chemicals because they are both grease and water repellent. This makes them attractive for many applications, such as non-stick frying pans, waterproof clothing and textiles, food packaging including pizza boxes and baking paper, and firefighting foams. They are also used in various other industrial processes.
When these chemicals were first introduced decades ago, their persistence and potential health risks were not fully understood. According to Steinkellner, analytical standards to detect them in food and water did not exist at the time. "When you do chemical analysis in food or in water or wherever, you will only find what you look for," he said. "So people didn't have the standards to identify those chemicals that came with time." How are people exposed to PFAS?
The main route of human exposure to PFAS is food, and to a lesser extent drinking water. Major dietary contributors include eggs, fish, root vegetables, green vegetables and even fruit. Steinkellner explained that PFAS can get into eggs through contaminated feed eaten by chickens: the stable chemicals accumulate and end up in the egg.
To ensure food safety, EU member states are required to monitor PFAS levels in food. If values exceed the maximum levels set for certain PFAS, the products are removed immediately from the market. "This is the way you can assume that this egg here is safe to eat," Steinkellner said. What has EFSA done about PFAS?
EFSA has been assessing the risks of PFAS for over a decade. The agency produced its first scientific opinion on the effects of PFAS in 2008, which included a risk characterisation comparing exposure and health effects. This was updated in 2018, and the latest opinion in 2020 considered the newest scientific evidence. Based on these opinions, the European Commission, together with EU member states, implemented maximum levels for some PFAS in food where sufficient data were available. What are the remaining challenges?
Despite progress, significant gaps remain. Steinkellner noted that scientists are still investigating and do not have a full picture of PFAS contamination in Europe. The large number of PFAS compounds - thousands - makes studying them challenging, and not all have maximum levels due to insufficient data. EFSA continues to work on understanding the impact of PFAS and reducing risks. What happens next?
EFSA's scientific work continues, with ongoing efforts to better understand PFAS contamination and its health effects. The agency's opinions will inform future regulatory decisions by the European Commission and member states. In the meantime, monitoring and enforcement of existing maximum levels remain in place to protect consumers. Further updates are expected as new scientific evidence emerges.
Source: European Food Safety Authority
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