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.

PFAS active substances in Great Britain & the EU

PFAS can be intentionally added to pesticides as both active and inert ingredients. The table below shows known PFAS active substances approved for use in Great Britain and the EU.

This table was compiled by searching for PFAS active substances approved for use in the EU (as identified by PAN EU in July 2025) within HSE’s register for active substances approved for use in pesticides in Great Britain. Northern Ireland continues to follow EU legislation on plant protection products (PPP) under the EU Withdrawal Agreement’s Windsor Framework.

Last updated: December 2025

  • 1. Beflubutamid
    1. Beflubutamid
  • 2. Cyflufenamid
    2. Cyflufenamid
  • 3. Cyflumetofen
    3. Cyflumetofen
  • 4. Diflufenican
    4. Diflufenican
  • 5. Flazasulfuron
    5. Flazasulfuron
  • 6. Flonicamid
    6. Flonicamid
  • 7. Fluazifop-P
    7. Fluazifop-P
  • 8. Fludioxonil
    8. Fludioxonil
  • 9. Fluazinam
    9. Fluazinam
  • 10. Flufenacet
    10. Flufenacet
  • 11. Fluopicolide
    11. Fluopicolide
  • 12. Fluopyram
    12. Fluopyram
  • 13. Flutolanil
    13. Flutolanil
  • 14. Isoflucypram
    14. Isoflucypram
  • 15. Isoxaflutole
    15. Isoxaflutole
  • 16. Lambda-Cyhalothrin
    16. Lambda-Cyhalothrin
  • 17. Mefentrifluconazole
    17. Mefentrifluconazole
  • 18. Oxathiapiprolin
    18. Oxathiapiprolin
  • 19. Penthiopyrad
    19. Penthiopyrad
  • 20. Penoxsulam
    20. Penoxsulam
  • 21. Picolinafen
    21. Picolinafen
  • 22. Prosulfuron
    22. Prosulfuron
  • 23. Pydiflumetofen
    23. Pydiflumetofen
  • 24. Pyroxsulam
    24. Pyroxsulam
  • 25. Sulfoxaflor
    25. Sulfoxaflor
  • 26. Tau-Fluvalinate
    26. Tau-Fluvalinate
  • 27. Tefluthrin
    27. Tefluthrin
  • 28. Tembotrione
    28. Tembotrione
  • 29. Tetraconazole
    29. Tetraconazole
  • 30. Trifloxystrobin
    30. Trifloxystrobin
  • 31. Triflusulfuron-methyl
    31. Triflusulfuron-methyl
Approved in Great Britain
$20 / month
  • 1. Beflubutamid
    Yes
  • 2. Cyflufenamid
    Yes
  • 3. Cyflumetofen
    Yes
  • 4. Diflufenican
    Yes
  • 5. Flazasulfuron
    Yes
  • 6. Flonicamid
    Yes
  • 7. Fluazifop-P
    Yes
  • 8. Fludioxonil
    Yes
  • 9. Fluazinam
    Yes
  • 10. Flufenacet
    Yes
  • 11. Fluopicolide
    Yes
  • 12. Fluopyram
    Yes
  • 13. Flutolanil
    Yes
  • 14. Isoflucypram
    Yes
  • 15. Isoxaflutole
    Yes
  • 16. Lambda-Cyhalothrin
    Yes
  • 17. Mefentrifluconazole
    Yes
  • 18. Oxathiapiprolin
    Yes
  • 19. Penthiopyrad
    Yes
  • 20. Penoxsulam
    Yes
  • 21. Picolinafen
    Yes
  • 22. Prosulfuron
    Yes
  • 23. Pydiflumetofen
    Yes
  • 24. Pyroxsulam
    Yes
  • 25. Sulfoxaflor
    Yes
  • 26. Tau-Fluvalinate
    Yes
  • 27. Tefluthrin
    Yes
  • 28. Tembotrione
    Yes
  • 29. Tetraconazole
    Yes
  • 30. Trifloxystrobin
    Yes
  • 31. Triflusulfuron-methyl
    Yes
Approved in the EU
$20 / month
  • 1. Beflubutamid
    Yes
  • 2. Cyflufenamid
    Yes
  • 3. Cyflumetofen
    Yes
  • 4. Diflufenican
    Yes
  • 5. Flazasulfuron
    Yes
  • 6. Flonicamid
    Yes
  • 7. Fluazifop-P
    Yes
  • 8. Fludioxonil
    Yes
  • 9. Fluazinam
    Yes
  • 10. Flufenacet
    No
  • 11. Fluopicolide
    Yes
  • 12. Fluopyram
    Yes
  • 13. Flutolanil
    Yes
  • 14. Isoflucypram
    Yes
  • 15. Isoxaflutole
    Yes
  • 16. Lambda-Cyhalothrin
    Yes
  • 17. Mefentrifluconazole
    Yes
  • 18. Oxathiapiprolin
    Yes
  • 19. Penthiopyrad
    No
  • 20. Penoxsulam
    Yes
  • 21. Picolinafen
    Yes
  • 22. Prosulfuron
    Yes
  • 23. Pydiflumetofen
    Yes
  • 24. Pyroxsulam
    Yes
  • 25. Sulfoxaflor
    Yes
  • 26. Tau-Fluvalinate
    Yes
  • 27. Tefluthrin
    Yes
  • 28. Tembotrione
    Yes
  • 29. Tetraconazole
    Yes
  • 30. Trifloxystrobin
    Yes
  • 31. Triflusulfuron-methyl
    No