PFAS have been widely used in various industrial and consumer applications since the 1950s. Today about 3000 different PFAS substances are used, of which PFOS and PFOA are the most well-known and widely spread. Since 2008, the use of PFOS is restricted within the EU and PFOA is identified as a substance of very high concern according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). PFOS and PFOA (and substances that can degrade into PFOS and PFOA) are being replaced with other PFAS-substances, however, these replacements are often equally persistent, and their inherent toxicity is often unknown.
Firefighting foams containing PFAS are mainly used in so-called "class B" fires, i.e. fires of oil, diesel, alcohol and plastics. At fire training sites, the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams may contaminate soils, which eventually can spread to groundwater and surface water, posing a threat to both the environment as well as human health due to the contamination of drinking water and fish.
In order to better understand the breadth of use and the environmental challenge posed by PFAS, PA Hazards published a 2017 report:
This report suggests a number of efforts for further work to reduce the use of hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea area.
The results of the inventory and the efforts proposed in the report are important elements in the continued work on knowledge dissemination in the Baltic Sea Region, in cooperation with other authorities.
National awareness, strategies and activities related to PFAS vary significantly between countries in the region. Some countries restrict their activities to requirements by European regulations (e.g. monitoring), while others actively lead dialogue with the EU Commission. Many countries stress the lack of knowledge. While some countries have started significant investigations, others have not yet undertaken national inventories or investigations. Countries with increased awareness have either developed a network and/or increased the horizontal dialog between policy sectors and stakeholders.
Since fluorine foams are used by multiple actors and areas, it is also difficult to identify and take inventory of contaminated sites. Countries that have started to identify sites and coupled risks have mainly focused on military areas. However, there are no proper remediation techniques, which means that contaminants must be removed and disposed of – which is costly. There is need for new and cost-efficient remediation methods for PFAS contaminated soils. PFAS-contaminated groundwater and drinking water are of specific concern for human health, however, few countries have a clear overview of the problem.
As the knowledge and awareness varies within the region, it is necessary to transfer knowledge from countries that have come further in the process of developing national actions.
PA Hazards is now considering to initiate a Baltic Leadership Programme (BLP) on highly fluorinated substances in the Baltic Sea Region, supported by funding from Swedish Institute. A BLP would create networks and develop mutual learning processes through meetings, education and cultural exchange. BLPs are tailor-made training programmes designed to promote the implementation of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and to support thematic networks. They offer a unique combination of theory and practice, with a focus on dynamic leadership, capacity building. More information will be available soon on the prospect of a BLP during 2019.