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PFAS are harmful \u2018forever chemicals\u2019 that have been linked to cancer and other serious health risks.<\/p>\n
This summer, the Danish Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality, together with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and ChemSec, invited European ministers to test their blood for PFAS. The results, recently published<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> demonstrate the widespread contamination of these substances.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNo one is immune\u201d to exposure to forever chemicals<\/strong><\/p>\n 24 leaders, across 19 countries, participated in the initiative<\/strong><\/a>. The study focused on 13 specific PFAS substances that are known to infiltrate the human body and environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n The results show that PFAS contaminated the blood of all of the top politicians tested. For half of these EU leaders, contamination reached a level which could indicate an increased risk of adverse health effects. Six of the detected PFAS are already regulated, indicating that the impacts of such forever chemicals are long-lasting.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n “It is dramatic to see that, despite existing bans, PFAS are still present in our blood,\u201d says\u00a0 Jean-Luc Crucke, Belgian Minister of Mobility, Climate, and Environmental Transition, in charge of Sustainable Development. \u201cThis shows that these \u2018forever chemicals\u2019 are not only a legacy of the past, but an ongoing threat to our health and environment.\u201d<\/p>\n How do PFAS affect human health?<\/strong><\/p>\n Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 10,000 chemicals<\/strong><\/a> that are used widely across industries. Their unique chemical structure makes them remarkably resistant, creating surfaces that are nonstick, stain-resistant, or water-repellent.\u00a0<\/p>\n But because of their resistance capabilities, they don\u2019t break down easily and can linger in the environment long after their use.\u00a0<\/p>\n These chemicals can contaminate humans through drinking water<\/strong><\/a>, food, and the use of consumer products. Recent research<\/strong><\/a> has also shown that these chemicals can enter the human body through skin contact.\u00a0<\/p>\n Additionally, people who work in specific industries are at high risk of contamination. For instance, firefighters are often exposed to the chemicals in their foam, though the European Commission recently adopted<\/strong><\/a> new measures to restrict their use.\u00a0<\/p>\n PFAS exposure in humans has been linked with various health issues such as cancer, high cholesterol, and fertility. <\/p>\n How can you reduce exposure to PFAS?<\/strong><\/p>\n There are various measures<\/strong><\/a> individuals can take to reduce exposure in their day-to-day lives, opting for PFAS-free cosmetics, food packaging, and waterproof fabrics.\u00a0<\/p>\n As part of the initiative, the European Environment Bureau, ChemSec and more than 100 organisations across Europe launched the Stop PFAS manifesto<\/strong><\/a>, urging EU leaders to act by supporting the universal PFAS restriction.\u00a0<\/p>\n