A group of MPs are calling for the government to ban a group of synthetic chemicals from being used in school uniforms, food packaging, and cookware.
In a report into the risks of PFAS, the Environmental Audit Committee urged the government to introduce restrictions on the non-essential use of the chemicals and begin a phased restriction from 2027.
Commonly known as “forever chemicals”, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of more than 10,000 man-made substances, which have been associated with an increased risk of cancers, immune suppression, and fertility and development problems, the report said.
There has not been extensive research into the effects of all PFAS, but some types of the chemicals have been evaluated as carcinogenic.
Labour MP Toby Perkins, who chairs the committee, said: “From frying pans to fire extinguishers, PFAS are now central to everyday and some lifesaving products, and nearly all of us will have some level of PFAS in our bodies.
“But evidence we heard throughout our inquiry suggests that our dependence on PFAS has come with a cost to the environment, and perhaps to human health too.”
The highly resistant qualities of the chemicals mean they are often used by military and emergency services, as well as in household products such as cosmetics and frying pans. It also means they can build up in the environment and in people’s bodies for decades, the report said.
The committee also called for the government to take a stronger approach to regulating PFAS to ensure that companies polluting waterways and soil are paying for it to be cleaned up.
It recommended a national remediation fund be established for communities dealing with high levels of pollution, and invest in technologies that can destroy the chemicals safely.
The government published a PFAS action plan in February that set out how it will understand the sources of the chemicals, tackle how they move around in the environment, and act to reduce public and environmental exposure.
Thursday’s report said that rather than waiting for proof that a chemical is harmful before banning it, the government should take a precautionary approach to approving new PFAS, and companies should instead need approval before they introduce a new PFAS substance.
A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “The persistent nature of ‘forever chemicals’ poses a long-term challenge for the nation's ecosystems and health.
“The first ever PFAS Plan shows the decisive action we are taking to better understand and tackle the sources of these chemicals, including through better guidance and monitoring, tougher rules on their use and support for transitioning to safer alternatives.
“Our approach is to work in partnership with businesses, regulators and local communities as we reduce exposure for the public and the environment.”
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