ZeroPM is at the forefront of tackling the critical issue of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals” - substances that persist in our environment and accumulate in human bodies. This initiative is driven by the urgent need to address the presence of these pollutants in our water and their insidious spread into the global population. ZeroPM's holistic approach unites prevention, prioritisation, and removal efforts, aiming to shield both the environment and human health from these hazardous chemicals. The project is dedicated to finding safer alternatives, innovating in risk assessment, and discovering effective cleanup methods. As ZeroPM advances towards creating a world free from these persistent pollutants, it underscores its commitment to the European Green Deal's aspiration for a non-toxic environment.
Description of success
ZeroPM's achievements are a testament to its innovative approach to tackling the pervasive issue of persistent and mobile substances. Central to its success is the project's comprehensive strategy which interweaves prevention, prioritisation, and removal efforts.
A notable highlight is the development of practical tools for industry stakeholders, including an alternative assessment database and the PFAS Guide, aimed at identifying safer substitutes and detecting PFAS in products or supply chains. For policymakers and enforcers, ZeroPM has introduced the Regulatory Watch to keep on top of policy developments, and is advancing methodologies for substance grouping to enhance the risk assessment of hazardous substances. The project also focuses on empowering the water sector with innovative solutions to effectively remove these substances and safeguard water quality.
Highlights
- Development of practical tools for industry, such as the Alternative Assessment Database and the PFAS Guide, to facilitate the adoption of safer chemical alternatives.
- Creation of prioritisation and prevention resources for policymakers, including the Regulatory Watch and tools for substance grouping, to inform and guide regulatory actions.
- Advancement of removal strategies for the water sector, setting realistic expectations and goals for the treatment of persistent and mobile substances.
Outputs
ZeroPM has published or contributed to a large body of PFAS-related resources that can be used by a various range of actors. The project has published the PFAS Guide, which enables companies to verify whether PFAS chemicals are present in their products and make business decisions based upon this information. ZeroPM has also published the Alternative Assessment Database which can be used in conjunction with the PFAS Guide to find functional alternative chemicals to PFAS.
In collaboration with PubChem, ZeroPM has also worked on the PFAS and Fluorinated Compounds in PubChem Tree, which constitutes a library of all chemicals in PubChem that fall in line with the definition of PFAS. The project team has also produced a video that walks through the PubChemTree for further insight.
ZeroPM has had a paper published in the ACS Publications journal on the topic of safe limits of PFAS in the environment and whether they have been surpassed.
The project also regularly updates its Regulatory Watch, which provides updates on the political activity of the EU in relation to PFAS.
Impact
ZeroPM's initiatives have garnered attention from a wide array of stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, water utilities, and the chemical industry, reflecting the project's broad impact. The project's advocacy for the phase-out of substances like PFAS under international agreements such as the Montreal Protocol highlights its influential role in shaping global environmental policies.
Lessons
More effort is needed to form connections between various stakeholder groups, as silos of stakeholders are all too common. There also needs to be more discussion taking place between stakeholders in order to maximise success.
Other information
Whilst the focus on PFAS and their phase-out is important, there are other persistent and mobile substances that need attention too. As tools and methods are designed as part of the ZeroPM project, the team will strive to link their prevention, prioritisation and removal strategies to other relevant substances.
