OVAM report on PFAS suspected activities

The latest OVAM report expands the list of PFAS-suspected activities—highlighting growing contamination risks across production, processing, product use, and waste management. Discover here which (industrial) activities could result in soil, groundwater and sediment contamination.

July 31, 2025

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals that have entered various environmental media, posing substantial contamination risks. Every day more and more activities that apply PFAS are being identified.

The OVAM (Flemish Waste Agency) has classified activities involving PFAS into four primary categories: PFAS production, PFAS processing, the use of products containing PFAS, and waste management. Each activity carries a risk of releasing PFAS into soil, water, or air, depending on the type of activity, the quantities used, and the likelihood of emissions. This recent report, published by OVAM provides a comprehensive list of suspected activities, analyzing their likelihood of causing environmental damage.

The report highlights that the list is broader than previous versions due to new data and an expanded scope. This emphasizes the importance of thorough preliminary studies to accurately assess the actual risks of contamination. Furthermore, it advocates for ongoing monitoring and strict regulation to manage and minimize the environmental impact of PFAS.

This detailed analysis serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, environmental professionals, and industries involved in PFAS-related activities. It underscores the necessity of proactive measures to safeguard the environment and offers essential insights for sustainable management of these persistent substances.

The report “PFAS-suspected activities for soil, groundwater and sediment contamination” can be downloaded via this link.

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