In a letter addressed to UK ministers, Ian Cousins, Professor at the Department of Environmental Science and a world-leading expert on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), calls for the UK to take bold and decisive action to regulate these hazardous chemicals more effectively. The letter, co-signed by a group of specialists in epidemiology, toxicology, and environmental chemistry, stresses the critical need for the UK to adopt stronger protective measures.

Professor Ian Cousins. Photo: Stockholm University

PFAS, a group of synthetic chemicals used in everything from non-stick cookware to waterproof clothing, are infamous for their persistence in the environment and the human body. Known as “forever chemicals” due to their inability to break down naturally, PFAS have been linked to a range of serious health problems, including cancer, immune system suppression, and developmental issues in children. Despite these alarming concerns, PFAS are still in widespread use, and current UK regulations lag far behind those in Europe.

“As a British citizen and environmentalist, I find it deeply disturbing that the UK continues to trail behind the rest of Europe in addressing the PFAS crisis,” says Cousins. “Given the significant risks posed by these substances to human health and the environment, it is vital that the UK takes a more ambitious approach to regulating them.”

The letter highlights the UK's opportunity to lead on PFAS regulation, pointing to recent actions taken by the European Union, where several countries have either banned or severely restricted PFAS use. Cousins and his colleagues are calling on the UK to implement similar measures, such as phasing out non-essential uses of PFAS and adopting a precautionary approach to new chemicals in the group, ensuring they are not introduced without thorough safety testing.

In addition to environmental concerns, the letter underscores the economic cost of inaction. Cleaning up PFAS contamination, which affects water supplies and ecosystems, is an expensive and complex process, and waiting to act could result in much higher costs in the future.

The letter is scheduled to be delivered to UK ministers today. Cousins and his fellow signees hope it will spark immediate action from the UK government, leading to stronger regulations to protect both public health and the environment from the dangers of PFAS contamination.

Letter to UK ministers (454 Kb)