Standards, toxicity thresholds, depollution… 18 recommendations to limit eternal pollutants in our environment

Commissioned by Élisabeth Borne and directed by a Modem deputy, this government report listing proposals on PFAS was submitted to the National Assembly on Wednesday.

They are used to make our clothing, our kitchen utensils, food packaging, batteries or in the health sector. But PFAS, nicknamed eternal pollutants, are of increasing concern. A government report to fight against this large family of molecules, commissioned by the former Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne, and put together by a Modem deputy, was made public on Wednesday February 7.

To reduce the presence of these PFAS in our environment, the report indicates that there is much to do, starting with the establishment of relevant standards. Toxicity thresholds are arbitrary today, very difficult to establish, explains Cyrille Issac-Sibille, Modem du Rhône deputy and author of the report: “When you ingest PFAS, you keep them in the body for years. It is very difficult to know from what dose and for how long PFAS would be toxic. In terms of foods, we consider that it is not should not consume more than 4.4 nanograms per kilo of food per week.”

Five French sites in the viewfinder of the report

The work to determine these standards must be done at European level, according to the MP. He insists, explaining that the problem goes beyond our borders: 120,000 to 400,000 tonnes of PFAS are produced each year in Europe by numerous sites, five of which are in France.

Sites in the viewfinder of this parliamentary report, which proposes to stop all releases of PFAS. It’s feasible, it’s even been done since 2022 for an Arkema factory near Lyon: “The factory, following a prefectural decree, stopped its discharges using activated carbons. This was done because there was political will. Quickly, I think we can turn off the pollution tap to the PFAS.”

A ministerial decree would suffice, explains Cyrille Isaac-Sibille. Another pillar of his report: depollution. PFAS by definition are very resistant and this is why they are so used. They persist for tens, even hundreds of years in nature. It is up to manufacturers to participate financially in this clean-up.

Limit the uses of PFAS

Finally, the MP asks to limit the uses of PFAS. Eliminate them from food packaging, certain textiles or ski wax. But, to date, it is impossible to get rid of all PFAS. They remain essential: “Some drugs are PFAS, medical tubing contains PFAS to prevent bacteria from clinging. This has allowed a lot of progress.”

In total, this report makes 18 recommendations submitted to the Minister of Ecological Transition. Questioned Wednesday afternoon in the Assembly on the question of PFAS in food packaging, Christophe Béchu assures us: France supports European regulations.