Umweltbundesamt Final Workshop Report (Workshop and Workshop Report on PFAS Monitoring) - Conference Center Albert Borschette, Brussels, 13-14 January 2020

“PFAS are a large chemical family consisting of more than 4.700 individual substances with unique chemical properties. It has been demonstrated that they spread into all environmental compartments due to their high solubility in water, low sorption to soil and particulate matter and their resistance to biological and chemical degradation (see I.2 PFAS CHEMISTRY). Monitoring of PFAS depends on a variety of factors such as the definition of the individual substances, the medium to be monitored and the availability of validated standard analytical methods. To get an overview and a sound discussion among experts in the field of PFAS monitoring, the European Commission brought together global PFAS experts in a workshop to discuss the state-of-the-art and options for future monitoring concepts. The workshop took place on 13 and 14 January 2020 in Brussels. This report summarizes the workshop and in particular, this executive summary anticipates the detailed recommendations provided in chapter II.4 Policy Recommendations.
PFAS accumulate in human beings and animals and some PFAS have properties of toxicological concern (see I.3.4 Toxicology). A considerable proportion of the European population is expected to exceed the tolerable weekly intake due to intake of certain PFAS substances from food and drinking water (EFSA 2018, 2020; see details in chapter II.4.2 Limits for drinking water). These are reasons enough to apply the precautionary principle and to establish restrictions on production and use. As losses into the environment and direct exposure to humans are inevitable, measures at the source are needed rather than advocating end of the pipe measures. Some of the PFAS have already been restricted or will be restricted in the near future, but still, a multitude of substances is entering the market.”

(Citation: van Keer, I., Hohenblum, P., Béen, F.M., et al. – Umweltbundesamt Final Workshop Report (Workshop and Workshop Report on PFAS Monitoring) – Conference Center Albert Borschette, Brussels, 13-14 January 2020)