New study confirms huge and growing costs of PFAS pollution

January 29, 2026

A new report highlights the urgent need to halt ‘forever chemicals’ contamination to avoid enormous costs to society.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution significantly impacts human health and the environment, resulting in considerable costs borne by all citizens. This becomes evident when individuals suffer illnesses from exposure, when contaminated water or soil require expensive remediation, and when essential natural processes, such as pollination, are disrupted.

By using the latest data and an improved methodology, this study provides a conservative estimate of the monetary impact of PFAS pollution.

The estimated health costs only account for a handful of currently regulated PFAS substances, from the thousands that exist, and therefore provide a limited estimate compared to the actual costs of PFAS pollution.

The study estimates that if the current levels of PFAS pollution in Europe continue until 2050 without regulatory action, the cost will reach approximately €440 billion during that period. Tackling such PFAS releases at the source by 2040 would save €110 billion, whereas treating polluted water alone would cost more than €1 trillion.

Since PFAS remain in human bodies and the environment for decades, even after emissions have ceased, early action is vital to reduce long-term health and environmental costs.

The study also identifies the populations most vulnerable to PFAS pollution: newborns, children, people living near contaminated sites, and workers at those sites.

The Commission is committed to taking the necessary action to protect these groups but also to prevent possible wider societal consequences, while ensuring a balanced approach until alternatives to PFAS can be implemented in key industrial applications.

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Economy, said:

“Providing clarity on PFAS with bans for consumer uses is a top priority for both citizens and businesses. That is why this is an absolute priority for me to work on this and engage with all relevant stakeholders. Consumers are concerned, and rightly so. This study underlines the urgency to act.”

The findings of the study will feed into the EU’s discussions on PFAS-related topics, including pollution remediation, reduction of emissions at source, monitoring, and research needs.

Background

The EU has already taken significant steps to control the risks from exposure to PFAS. The most harmful PFAS substances have already been banned: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and related substances, long chain PFCAs. In 2024, the EU banned the use of undecafluorohexanoic acid (‘PFHxA’) and PFHxA-related substances in products such as consumer textiles, food packaging, consumer mixtures, cosmetics, and in some firefighting foam applications. In October 2025, the EU addressed one of the main PFAS emission sources and introduced phased-in bans of all PFAS in firefighting foams.

More recently, under the recast Drinking Water Directive, all Member States must monitor PFAS levels in drinking water to ensure compliance with the new EU limit values.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently assessing a universal PFAS restriction proposal. Their assessment will be ready by the end of 2026, and the Commission will base its restriction proposal on the ECHA’s opinion.

Beyond regulation, the Chemicals Industry Action Plan, adopted in July 2025, proposes a set of initiatives to support the transition away from PFAS. An EU-wide PFAS monitoring framework to share best practices for remediation and collect data is in preparation. The Commission will also launch a dialogue bringing together stakeholders to support a holistic view of PFAS-related pollution challenges.