Environment Agency Review Highlights Gaps in Airborne PFAS Monitoring and Regulation

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.