Fewer than 1 in 4 Eastern Europeans are aware of PFAS pollution, similar to the low awareness in France and the Iberian Peninsula. In contrast, over 50% of people in Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, and Finland are informed about PFAS, due to high-profile pollution scandals in these countries.
Awareness levels in the EU align with the Forever Pollution Project’s mapped PFAS data. More data is expected as NGOs increase PFAS testing, and member states will monitor PFAS in drinking water by 2026.
These findings come from a special Eurobarometer by the European Commission on Europeans’ attitudes towards the environment, conducted in March 2024 with 26,346 respondents.
Other key findings include:
- 81% express concern about PFAS’s health impact, and 84% about its environmental impact once informed.
- 84% of Europeans worry about harmful chemicals in everyday products.
- 52% believe the EU’s protection from hazardous chemicals is insufficient and should be increased.
This news item was brought to you by CHEM Trust in the frame of their Toxic-free for EU project. To receive the newsletter please subscribe here.
