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A new OVAM study explores the possibilities of asocietal cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) for PFAS policy in Flanders, with a focus on the management of PFAS in soil and groundwater. The report maps the challenge, describes economic, health, environmental, and social effects, and applies these to two cases (soil investigation and remediation, and soil excavation and relocation). The study reveals the societal impact of different response options, from doing nothing to full remediation, and highlights which measures deliver the greatest public value, which major knowledge gaps remain, and why cleaning up heavily contaminated sites and preventing new emissions are the most cost-effective strategies. 

More insight on TFA in soil and groundwater on its way upon request of the European Commission.

Microplastics have become widespread across the planet as plastic production continues to rise. Most plastics are not recycled, and nearly 80% ends up in landfills or the environment, where they can break down into small fragments that spread through air, water, and soil. These microplastics come from many everyday sources: synthetic clothing fibres, car tire wear, agricultural films, packaging, sewage sludge, personal care products with microbeads, and even medical waste such as disposable masks.

In several polluted regions, eggs from outdoor foraging chickens were found to contain brominated flame retardants (BFRs), chemicals such as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and HBCDD (hexabromocyclododecane). These chemicals are often added to plastics, textiles and electronics in order to reduce fire risk. These substances, along with their toxic degradation products, known as polybrominated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), are known to persist in soil, dust and fragments of discarded materials long after the products themselves are thrown away. Foraging chickens have been found to contain brominated flame retardants (BFRs)dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs).

The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) has released an updated and expanded version of its PFAS Technical and Regulatory Web Guidance Document (PFAS1), offering its most recent scientific insights, emerging concerns, and practical lessons learned from real-world PFAS projects.  

PFAS are a group of chemicals, used in countless products, from firefighting foams to textiles and industrial applications, and have become widespread in the global environment. As they break down extremely slow, accumulate in living organisms, and have toxic properties, they pose risks to both human health and ecosystems. Addressing the PFAS challenge requires more than isolated measures or quick fixes. Real progress depends on cooperation among scientists, regulators, industries, and communities. To guide these collective efforts, a PFAS roadmap has been developed by a collective of scientists, experts and consultants, consisting of 15 dedicated sections, which are built on three key pillars:

Dive into the highlights from the ENSOr conference 13 and 14 October in Brussels and see how collaboration is driving real progress for healthier soils.

Microplastics are everywhere—find out how they’re quietly building up in our soils, food, and even our bodies.

Are hidden ‘forever chemicals’ in your soil escaping detection? Discover what new tests reveal about PFAS pollution.

Are invisible chemicals in our soil quietly threatening our food—and can new green technologies turn the tide?