Between the 1950s and the 2000s, global chemical production was multiplied by 50 and is expected to triple again between 2010 and 2050.
However, over several decades, many substances have accumulated in the environment and they often end up polluting water and soil.
Moreover, the contamination of the environment by micropollutants is far from being a French problem: it is a global phenomenon!
Micropollutants: what are we talking about?
Micropollutants are undesirable substances that are present in the environment: air, water or soil.
They have the particularity of being linked to human activities, directly or indirectly, and are generally present in very low concentrations, in the order of micro or even nanograms per litre.
But even in low doses, they have harmful effects on living beings:
- Genetic mutations;
- Excess mortality;
- Chronic diseases;
- Etc.
Different families of micropollutants
The EU has counted more than 110,000 micropollutants, from agricultural, industrial, medical practices or from our daily activities:
- Pesticides ;
- Hydrocarbures ;
- Detergents and solvents;
- Heavy metals;
- Radioactive debris;
- Pharmaceuticals;
- PFAS;
- Many other chemical substances.
Why are PFAS called “eternal pollutants”?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a family of micropollutants made up of about 10,000 different chemical compounds.
Highly appreciated for their particular technical characteristics (non-stick, resistance to high heat, waterproofing, etc.), these substances have been massively used since the 1950s.
But these PFAS have a huge flaw: the carbon-fluorine bonds they contain are so strong that they don’t degrade over time. So much so that they are described as “eternal pollutants”!
Eternal pollutants law: certain uses of PFAS soon to be banned
On May 30, 2024, the French Senate unanimously adopted a bill from the National Assembly aimed at limiting the use of PFAS.
The “eternal pollutants” law thus provides for a strong restriction of their use, in order to limit the risk of pollution and the exposure of citizens:
January 1, 2026 – “The manufacture, import, export and sale of any cosmetic product, ski wax product, or clothing textile product containing PFAS will be prohibited”.
January 1, 2030 – “The manufacture, import, export and sale of all textiles containing PFAS (and not just clothing) will be banned.”
Why are PFAS and micropollutants problematic?
Although they are present in small quantities and often not very toxic at low concentrations, PFAS and other micropollutants are problematic for two reasons:
- Bioaccumulation – Some toxic substances, including PFAS, tend to accumulate in living organisms and pollute the entire food chain. This trend is even more marked with PFAS or certain pesticides, because of their persistent nature.
- The cocktail effect – Exposure to multiple substances can create interactions that are difficult to predict. Substances that are not very dangerous when taken in isolation can then become very harmful in combination with other molecules!
PFAS and micropollutants: what is their impact on health and the environment?
The impact of these substances on human health, fauna, flora, in short on many aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems is undeniable, but rarely easy to prove.
However, studies have shown that the presence of micropollutants, particularly in aquatic environments, can disrupt the food chain, cause imbalances (hormonal substances) and have effects on the reproduction of species.
Concerning the toxicity of micropollutants on human health, the multiplication of studies has made it possible, among other things, to highlight the adverse effects of endocrine disruptors and to establish links between exposure to pesticides and the onset of cognitive disorders or cancer.
The health impact of PFAS
As far as the health impact of PFAS is concerned, the current state of knowledge is unfortunately insufficient, even if the reality of their toxicity is a certainty. In addition, among the 10,000 listed, barely thirty of these substances have been the subject of extensive environmental, toxicological and epidemiological studies.
The two most well-known examples of PFAS are PFOA and PFOS, which are classified as carcinogens by the National Institute for Research and Safety.
Why do these substances end up in water?
As we said earlier, there are many sources of contamination. In fact, most human activities generate micropollutants and these substances end up polluting water, in the short or long term:
- Domestic wastewater – our detergent, cosmetic or medication residues are discharged with the wastewater;
- Industry – poorly controlled industrial effluents may contain chemicals and heavy metals;
- Agriculture – pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers seep into waterways and groundwater;
- Urban runoff – rainwater that runs off roads and rooftops carries all kinds of pollutants including paints, hydrocarbons and tire residues.
Is the content of micropollutants and PFAS in water regulated?
Aquatic environments are therefore to be monitored. As far as water intended for human consumption is concerned, the monitoring of the sanitary quality of drinking water is governed by Directive 2020/2184, led by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS).
This monitoring is based both on the people responsible for the production and distribution of water (PRPDE) and on a health control carried out by the Regional Health Agencies (ARS).
PFAS soon to be integrated into water health analyses.
The analysis of micropollutants is not yet a strict legal obligation, but it will become one from January 2026.
Local authorities are subject to the parameters analyzed as part of the health control. It is the ARS that choose the parameters to be followed. Other substances will also have to be tested for during the controls: halo acetic acids, bisphenol A, chlorates, chromium IV and uranium.
Is it possible to eliminate micropollutants from water?
But as the choice of the right decontamination method will have to be adapted to the nature of the pollutants that will have been detected during the mandatory inspections, we advise local authorities not to wait until 2026 to conduct these analyses.
In conclusion, the proliferation of micropollutants, and in particular PFAS, represents a major environmental and health challenge on a global scale. These substances, although present in low concentrations, have deleterious effects on ecosystems and human health, in particular through bioaccumulation and the cocktail effect. Legislation is evolving to restrict the use of PFAS, but monitoring and analysis of micropollutants in water remains crucial. Local authorities must anticipate these issues by adopting appropriate depollution measures now, in order to protect our environment and our health in the long term.