Write to your local MP about ensuring protection of the public and the environment from PFAS - Step 1
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – also known as ‘forever chemicals’ – are a group of more than 10,000 chemicals which are used in thousands of products from toilet paper and non-stick cookware to firefighting foams. Some have been linked to a range of serious health issues including testicular cancer, fertility issues and developmental defects in unborn children. PFAS do not breakdown once in the environment.
At the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), our public attitudes survey on PFAS found that 9 in 10 people in the UK think it is ‘very important’ to effectively control levels of PFAS in our food, our drinking water, and the environment. Most respondents commonly said manufacturers of chemicals and products (74% and 73% of respondents respectively) should be most responsible for reducing levels of PFAS. The UK Government was next highest ranked (58%).
However, there is currently a lack of regulation to monitor and control levels of PFAS in the UK. Current standards for PFAS in drinking water are not enshrined into law, and environmental permits do not set limits for industrial emissions of PFAS into the environment. Most PFAS are not classified as Substances of Very High Concern, and so are not required to be listed on material safety data sheets. Therefore, users of products that contain PFAS (including a mixture of PFAS’) may not be able to determine the collective presence of PFAS.
We were pleased to be involved in the recent BBC Panorama episode on PFAS – ‘The Truth About Forever Chemicals’ – to highlight the extent of this issue and the need for more, urgent Government action to address PFAS.
We call on Government to introduce stricter regulation to manage PFAS use, prevent pollution, protect consumers and the environment, and promote innovation.
This is a timely opportunity to act, with the Government’s forthcoming water White Paper to outline a new Water Reform Bill and the release of the new Environmental Improvement Plan which includes a commitment to release a PFAS action plan in 2026. By taking action now, we can ensure those responsible for pollution take greater responsibility – including for cleaning it up – protecting both the environment and human health in the long term.
You can help make sure government is paying attention to this issue by writing to your local MP and asking them to raise this issue with government.
Simply fill in your name and details below, and you will be able to review a pre-written email to send directly to your MP. If you'd like, you can personalise the email to include information about your own experiences and knowledge.
