According to a January 2024 article in the newspaper Le Monde, NGOs have revealed the presence of perfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) in the blood of eleven European politicians, including former Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans. This discovery highlights the widespread contamination by these “forever chemicals,” found in the environment and used in numerous everyday products.
According to the article, every participant in the study, who donated a few drops of their blood, was found to have PFAS in their system. As Tatiana Santos from the EEB points out, “We are all victims. No one is safe from chemical pollution.“
The article notes as well that Frans Timmermans, who was found to have seven different PFAS in his blood, is calling for a ban on these substances. A European-wide ban is expected to be implemented by 2026.
Exposure to PFAS is linked to various health issues, such as cancers, cardiovascular and thyroid disorders, infertility, and immune system disruptions.
In France, the Esteban study detected PFAS in the blood of the entire population. The HBM4EU study shows that one in seven teenagers exceeds the weekly tolerable intake set by the European Food Safety Authority.
For more information, read the full article on Le Monde’s website.
