The purpose of adopting these rules is to “protect people and the environment from the risks placed by PFAS”
The European Commission has restricted use by the European Union (EU) countries of chemicals that persist in the foams used to combat fires, but the concrete ban may take up to ten years, was announced on Friday.
In a statement, the community executive said that the rules that “restrict the use of perfluoroalchilated and polyfluoroalchilated (PFAS) perfluoroalchilated substances in shaginfugal foams” are in force.
The purpose of adopting these rules is to “protect people and the environment from the risks placed by Pafas.”
“The restriction represents an important step towards the purpose of the Commission to minimize PFAS emissions,” as fire -fighting foams “have been an important source of EU pollution,” says the von der Leyen Ursula Executive.
The European Commission states that “without this restriction, about 470 tons of this type of chemicals would continue to be emitted to the environment every year, contaminating soil and water.”
“In addition, firefighters would continue to be exposed to pfas present in the foams used,” the commission warned.
Although there are already free fires foams of these chemicals, there will be periods of transition to different sectors, between one and ten years, “giving time to replacement with safer and more effective alternatives.”
