European Union Proposes Ban on PFAS in Firefighting Foam (1)

Extremely persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) should be outlawed from firefighting foams in the European Union, despite a price tag for their phaseout of 7 billion euros ($7.9 billion) over 30 years, the European Chemicals Agency said Wednesday.

The agency published a proposal for a restriction on PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” that would see phaseout deadlines ranging from 18 months for use by municipal fire services, to three years for use on ships, and 10 years for use in high-risk industrial facilities. EU exports of PFAS for firefighting foams would also be banned.

The ban would apply to ...