The EU restricts the use of “eternal chemicals” from the fire extinguishing foams / European Commission: “60% of PFAS containing, which contaminated soil and drinking water”

The European Commission announced on Friday that it will restrict the use of substances known as PFAS or “eternal chemicals” in foams used to extinguish fires, a step towards the EU goal to minimize the use of these substances in consumer goods, notes Reuters.

The PFAS, also called per- and polyfluorurized substances, do not break down in the environment, which raises concerns about their accumulation in ecosystems, in drinking water and in the human body.

The restriction will enter into force until the end of this month, but there will be different transition periods – from a few months for certain industries up to ten years, depending on the type of use.

The sale of PFAS portable extinguishers will be limited after six months, and the use of PFAS foams in training, testing activities or by municipal firefighters will be restricted after 18 months.

For high risk industrial sites, regulated by EU safety norms – such as those that store large amounts of flammable liquids – a ten -year transition period is provided.

“About 60% of extinguishing foams contain PFAS. This has led to many cases of soil and water contamination, including the drinking. It is an important step in combating PFAS pollution,” said the European Environment Commissioner, Jesiika Roswall.