Non-polymer PFAS can build up in blood protein of animals, and is not always removed quickly. This means that predators eating PFAS-contaminated food will have higher levels in their bloodstream, and concentrations can increase up the food chain. Studies suggest that build up of PFAS is similar to those of other Persistent Organic Pollutants such as DDT.PFAS are estimated to be settling in arctic regions at rates of tens to hundreds of kilograms per year (25-850kg per year), depending on the specific PFAS chemical in question. Certain PFAS are released as gases to the environment and are blown a long way by wind and air currents in the atmosphere,. These gas PFAS will over time degrade to more persistent chemicals like PFOS and PFOA. This may be one reason why PFAS of environmental concern have been found in remote regions such as the Arctic as well as near PFAS production sitesPFAS including PFOS and PFOA have been found in air samples around Europe. The chemicals are found in small quantities, but appear in almost all samples tested. PFAS enters the atmosphere both from factories and the air inside our homes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17554424 PFAS is found in treated waste water from industrial and domestic sources and has been found in both rivers and groundwater. Conventional drinking water processes will not remove PFAS.PFAS-coated clothes that are thrown away will often end up either incinerated or in landfill. Unless incinerated at very high temperatures (>1000oC), fluorinated polymers could release more harmful PFAS during burning. PFAS of environmental concern have also been found in landfill leachate. Non-polymer PFAS are used in the production of fluorinated polymers. The manufacture of stain-resistant finishes generally releases these PFASs into the environment, both by air and water emissions. They are very hard to remove during water treatment. Workers in textiles factories are some of the population most exposed to these potentially harmful chemicals. Small quantities of PFAS will be removed during wash and wear of products containing PFAS. This includes fluorinated polymers used on stain-resistant coatings, and non-polymers that remain on clothes after production (Lassen et al. 2015).Most UK waste still ends up in landfill, and this includes PFAS-containing products. Studies have shown that the liquid coming from landfills (known as leachate) often contain non-polymer PFAS chemicals. In the USA the total quantities were estimated at 563-638 kg in 2013. To properly break down PFAS chemicals high temperature (1000oC or more) incineration is recommended. Incineration of municipal waste does not necessarily reach these temperatures (min temp. required is 850oC), and the incomplete breakdown could release non-polymer PFAS.Wash and wear of clothing that contains PFAS-based stain-resistant or water repellent finishes release PFAS to the environment. Coatings are thought to lose effectiveness after 20-30 washes. This can include non-polymer PFAS, remnant from production or as a break-down product of side-chain polymers (Lassen et al. 2015). The manufacture of stain-resistant finishes releases PFAS into the environment, both by air and water emissions. PFAS are very hard to remove during water treatment. Industrial emissions are estimated to be the biggest source of these chemicals to the environment.
10th July 2026

UK Government response to PFAS inquiry fails to demonstrate the urgency required

In its response to the Environmental Audit Committee’s (EAC) recent PFAS inquiry, the UK Government has not adopted the Committee’s core recommendations to urgently reduce PFAS emissions, but recognise the importance of closer alignment with EU chemical regulations 

Over the past year, the EAC heard from a wealth of PFAS experts, academics, industry, the private sector and NGOs, building the case for urgent, group-based regulation of these “forever chemicals”. Taking this evidence on board, the Committee published 20 recommendations, including strengthening the use of the precautionary principle, bringing forward an urgent restriction of PFAS in non-essential applications, and reforming UK chemical regulations (UK REACH) by March 2027.

Source control must be prioritised

Rather than engaging with these recommendations, the Government’s response repeatedly falls back on its PFAS Plan. Defra published the PFAS plan earlier this year, but it has faced criticism for a lack of measures to restrict PFAS at source. As EAC Chair Toby Perkins MP put it, the PFAS plan is “a plan to consult on whether to have a plan”.

The Government’s response to the EAC inquiry insists the PFAS plan already sets out the appropriate approach to PFAS emissions and embeds the precautionary principle. But for a class of chemicals defined by their extreme persistence, many with proven harms to human and environmental health, the only truly precautionary approach is source control.

Promising closer EU alignment, but lacking urgency

As the EU continues to progress swiftly towards a comprehensive restriction of non-essential PFAS uses, the EAC was clear that the UK should align more closely with the EU to avoid unnecessary regulatory divergence. A key part of this will be reforming UK REACH; the EAC called for accelerated timelines, with reform by March 2027.

In its response, it is promising to see Defra recognise the importance of aligning with the EU’s restrictions. However, the Government’s response stops short of committing to how far it will align, and instead reiterated its existing commitment to reform REACH by December 2028, over two years away.

Defra’s response to the EAC’s inquiry doesn’t reflect the pace the evidence demands. Further delays to source control and EU alignment risk widening this regulatory gap with other countries. In the meantime, PFAS will continue to build up in the UK’s rivers, soils, food and people.

As other nations progress with restrictions and scientists continue to uncover new PFAS hotspots and health concerns, it’s now on the UK Government to show it grasps the scale of the problem, and to start delivering the source control measures needed to match it.

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