UK’s first-ever plan to tackle ‘forever chemicals’
The UK has published its first plan to address PFAS (‘forever chemicals’), outlining a framework for monitoring, evidence-gathering, and potential regulatory action.
Key takeaway
What this development means
The Environment Agency’s latest review highlights the urgent need for improved airborne PFAS monitoring in the UK. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, standardising sampling and analysis will be critical for ensuring environmental protection and industrial compliance across the chemicals value chain.
What substances does the Environment Agency’s PFAS review focus on?
The review concentrates on three PFAS: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 6:2 Fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH), and EEA-NH4. These were chosen to represent varied chemical behaviours and industrial uses, helping to characterise airborne transport and deposition patterns from UK-regulated sources.
What are the key recommendations from the airborne PFAS report?
The Environment Agency calls for more UK-based monitoring, development of standardised air sampling and analysis methods, and further study of industrial sources. These steps aim to support regulatory decision-making and enable more accurate risk assessments related to airborne PFAS.
A new review by the Environment Agency, published in May 2025, underscores critical knowledge gaps in the monitoring and regulation of airborne per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in England. The findings, focused on emissions from industrial sources, have broad implications for professionals in manufacturing, waste management, and regulatory compliance across the chemical supply chain.
Limited UK Data on Airborne PFAS Emissions
The scoping review centred on three representative substances—Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 6:2 Fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH), and EEA-NH4, a newer replacement compound used in fluoropolymer production. The report reveals that only three UK-based studies have measured PFAS concentrations in outdoor air, highlighting a stark data deficit.
Notably, airborne concentrations of PFOA at Hazelrigg, a site downwind of a fluoropolymer facility, have dropped significantly since 2005–06. The decline is attributed to both regulatory restrictions and the installation of emissions abatement systems.
PFAS Behaviour in the Air: A Challenge for Monitoring
The review points to the complexity of sampling airborne PFAS, which can exist in both gas and particulate forms. FTOHs are predominantly found in the gas phase, while PFOA tends to adhere to fine particles, complicating accurate measurement.
There are currently no standardised UK methods for monitoring or analysing these substances, a gap which the report identifies as a regulatory priority. The Environment Agency warns that without consistent protocols, efforts to assess industrial emissions and environmental exposure remain fragmented and unreliable.
Implications for Industry and Environmental Governance
Although ingestion remains the primary exposure route, airborne PFAS deposition onto land and water bodies can contribute to long-term environmental contamination. The review suggests that sea spray and other resuspension mechanisms may reintroduce PFAS into the air, compounding exposure risks.
The findings are significant for stakeholders beyond the manufacturing sector—including those in environmental consultancy, waste processing, and regulatory compliance—who depend on robust monitoring data to inform risk management strategies and meet evolving legal obligations under UK REACH.
Source:
gov.uk
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