Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Welcome to CL:AIRE's PFAS webpage - a compilation of information relevant to the understanding and management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are a broad group of synthetic fluorinated chemicals widely applied for bulk industrial uses and in consumer applications since the 1930s. It has been estimated that the PFAS family may include many thousand chemical substances. Due to their persistence in the environment and link to various health issues, PFAS are the subject of environmental concern globally.
On this page you will find PFAS resources and publications sorted by publisher, and PFAS news sorted by the date the article was published on CL:AIRE's website. The material has been sourced from across the world and we would like your help to keep the site up to date. If you have additional documents or news that should be included on this page please let us know via the Helpdesk, noting we are not looking for commercial publications.
CL:AIRE cannot be held responsible for any loss, however arising, from the use of, or reliance on, the information contained in these documents, nor does it assume responsibility or liability for errors or omissions in these publications. Users are advised to use the information contained purely for reference only and if used must be satisfied that the information meets their requirements. Please refer to our website Terms & Conditions for more information.
PFAS resources and publications
A list of PFAS resources and publications, organised by publisher. They are free to access unless indicated by *.
CL:AIRE
Concawe
- PFAS Soil Treatment Processes – A Review of Operating Ranges and Constraints. Report No. 8/24. Concawe. 2024.
- Review of water treatment systems for PFAS removal. Report No. 14/20. Concawe. 2020.
- Environmental fate & effects of poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Report No. 8/16. Concawe. 2016.
Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Environment Agency
- Rapid evidence assessment of PFAS incineration and alternative remediation methods: report. Environment Agency. 2025.
- Environmental risk evaluation reports: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - summary. Environment Agency. 2023.
- Environmental risk evaluation report: Perfluoropropane [PFP]. Environment Agency. 2023.
- Environmental risk evaluation report: Hexafluoropropene [HFP]. Environment Agency. 2023.
- Environmental risk evaluation report: Perflunafene [PFD]. Environment Agency. 2023.
- Environmental risk evaluation report: Perfluoroisohexane [PFiHx]. Environment Agency. 2023.
- Environmental risk evaluation report: Trideca-1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-fluorohexane [1H-PFHx]. Environment Agency. 2023.
- Environmental risk evaluation report: 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-Heptafluy]propane [PPVE]oro-3-[(trifluorovinyl)ox. Environment Agency. 2023.
- Environmental risk evaluation report: 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-Nonafluorohexene [Perfluorobutylethylene; PFBE]. Environment Agency. 2023.
- Environmental risk evaluation report: Perfluoro(2-ethoxy-2-fluoroethoxy)-acetic acid, ammonium salt [EEA-NH4]. Environment Agency. 2023.
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC)
UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
PFAS news
A list of PFAS news articles that have been published on CL:AIRE's website, sorted by date.
-
2025
-
CL:AIRE launches PFAS webpage
(News)
30 September 2025
CL:AIRE has launched a PFAS webpage - a compilation of information relevant to the understanding and management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). On this page you will find PFAS resources and publications sorted by publisher, and PFAS news sorted by the date the article was published on CL:AIRE's website. The material has been sourced from across the world and we would like your help to keep the site up to date. If you have additional documents or news that should be included on this page please let us know via the Helpdesk, noting we are not looking for commercial publications.
-
Environment Agency publishes rapid evidence assessment of PFAS incineration and alternative remediation methods
(News)
26 September 2025
The Environment Agency Chief Scientist's Group has recently published a Rapid evidence assessment of PFAS incineration and alternative remediation methods report. This review assessed the effectiveness, feasibility and environmental suitability of current and emerging technologies for treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with a focus on high temperature incineration. It examined the operating conditions needed for effective PFAS destruction, the risks of producing products of incomplete combustion, and the potential of alternative treatment methods. Download the report here.
-
ECHA to consult on PFAS draft opinion in Spring 2026 plus information webinar
(News)
24 September 2025
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) plans to launch an online consultation on the draft opinion of its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) on the proposed EU-wide restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the Committee’s meeting in March 2026. To learn more about the purpose and structure of the consultation, as well as how to prepare your data, ECHA are hosting a webinar on 30 October 2025 at 11:00-13:00 EET. Further information is available here.
-
European Parliament reaches agreement to update priority substances in surface and groundwater
(News)
24 September 2025
The Council presidency and the European Parliament’s representatives reached a provisional political agreement on a proposed directive to review and update the lists of pollutants affecting surface waters and groundwater and corresponding regulatory standards. This agreement updates environmental quality standards for a number of pollutants and adds new ones (e.g. 24 PFAS, TFA), aligning EU water policy with the latest scientific evidence. The provisional agreement will now be endorsed by the Council and the Parliament, before being formally adopted and entering into force. Member states will have to transpose the directive into national law by 21 December 2027 and will have until 2039 to achieve compliance with the new standards. Read more here...
-
EPA publishes practical PFAS groundwater science guide
(News)
26 August 2025
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development has published an easily digestible information guide for site assessment and remediation practitioners who work on PFAS-contaminated sites. Topics covered include PFAS evaluation of site-specific groundwater vulnerability from PFAS-impacted soil, groundwater sampling for PFAS, and ways that surface chemistry and surfactant properties of some PFAS may impact their transport and fate. The document compiles information from three technical briefs that were originally released internally by EPA. The intended audience includes geologists, hydrogeologists, risk assessors, stakeholders such as state and federal regulators and others who work on PFAS-contaminated sites. Users should have a basic understanding of PFAS. Further information is available...
-
Denmark establishes a PFAS hub for knowledge and research
(News)
26 August 2025
Denmark has established the "PFAS Center" to generate knowledge and conduct research into how to prevent, contain and clean up extensive contamination with PFAS. The initiative has been funded by the Danish Ministry of the Environment and Gender Equality and focuses on effects on the environment, health, food and feed. Further information is available here.
-
OVAM expands its list of PFAS suspected activities
(News)
26 August 2025
OVAM (Public Waste Agency of Flanders/Belgium) has published a report which expands the list of PFAS-suspected activities - highlighting growing contamination risks across production, processing, product use, and waste management. Discover which (industrial) activities could result in soil, groundwater and sediment contamination. Further information is available here.
-
ECHA publishes updated proposal to restrict PFAS substances under REACH
(News)
26 August 2025
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published the updated proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the EU’s chemicals regulation, REACH. Further information is available here.
-
HSE consults on restricting PFAS in firefighting foam
(News)
19 August 2025
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the Agency for UK REACH, has assessed the risks linked with using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fire fighting foams, and the risks they pose to human health and the environment. HSE is now seeking views from interested parties. Further information is available here. Consultation closes 18 February 2026.
-
Defra publishes interim approach to the PMT concept to support UK REACH risk management of PFAS
(News)
30 July 2025
The Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper setting out an interim approach to the persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) or very persistent, very mobile (vPvM) concept to support PFAS risk management. Download the policy paper here >>>>.
-
EAC launches new inquiry to address the risks of PFAS within the UK's regulatory approach
(News)
10 April 2025
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched an inquiry looking at the risks of PFAS within the UK's regulatory approach. EAC requests written submissions by 5.00pm on 26 May 2025. Further information is available here.
-
POST is seeking inputs about PFAS pollution
(News)
8 January 2025
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is a research and knowledge exchange service based in the UK Parliament. It works to ensure that the best available research evidence and information is brought to bear on the legislative process and scrutiny of Government. It primarily supports the select committees of both Houses. POST is collating a guidance note for politicians to outline the challenges and options for addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance pollution. These notes are published, open access and available to an international audience. At this point in time POST is open to submissions and inputs until 17 February 2025. If you wish to contribute, further information is available here.
-
CL:AIRE launches PFAS webpage
(News)
30 September 2025
-
2024
-
Interim PFAS C4SL published
(News)
28 May 2024
CL:AIRE is delighted to publish the next Phase 2 C4SL report on PFAS. It can be downloaded directly from the dedicated C4SL web page here. A short webinar is available to remind people how C4SLs have been derived and the background to the project. People are encouraged to watch the webinar before reading any of the Phase 2 reports.The C4SL project has been a collaborative industry initiative, and huge thanks must be given to the project team members that are helping on this project. The team is working hard to move more reports forward and get them ready for publication.
-
Concawe publishes PFAS soil treatment processes report
(News)
22 May 2024
Concawe has published a report titled PFAS soil treatment processes - A review of operating ranges and constraints. The report looks at 13 treatment technologies that have been systematically evaluated. These include destructive, non-destructive and pathway management approaches for each treatment technology. Technical, operational and commercial factors as well as current knowledge gaps have been taken into consideration. The evaluation was informed by a literature review of published scientific research and other documents as well as a vendor liaison process incorporating current implementation experience and results. The report is free to download here.
-
HSE calls for evidence relating to firefighting foams which contain PFAS
(News)
20 May 2024
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is gathering evidence relating to firefighting foams which contain per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). HSE is seeking stakeholders to identify themselves (particularly from Great Britain) who are willing to engage in further dialogue. It is interested in all aspects of firefighting foams, especially those that include PFAS. The call for evidence targets companies and professional users of firefighting foams, trade associations, environmental organisations, consumer organisations, and any other organisations and members of the public holding relevant information. Further information is available here. The call for evidence closes 24 June 2024.
-
Interim PFAS C4SL published
(News)
28 May 2024
-
2023
-
Environment Agency publishes environmental risk evaluation reports for PFAS
(News)
20 April 2023
The Environment Agency’s Chief Scientist’s Group has recently published nine environmental risk evaluation reports on the environmental hazards and risks from certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) being made or used in the UK. This work contributes to the UK Government’s action plan to address concerns arising from PFAS by providing an informal assessment of the available data to gain a better understanding of the hazards, exposure and risks these substances may pose to the UK environment.
-
CL:AIRE publishes new Technical Bulletin (TB22) on the uses of PFAS to assist with identification of sites of concern
(News)
27 March 2023
CL:AIRE is pleased to publish a new technical bulletin (TB22) on the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to assist with identification of sites of concern. It has been written by Ian Ross from CDM Smith and aims to provide an overview of some of the bulk, legacy and/or dispersive uses of PFAS, to act as a guide to site investigations of land by assisting with identification of activities which may lead to PFAS being present at concentrations which could pose a risk to environmental or human health receptors.
-
ECHA to consider the restriction of PFAS under REACH
(News)
26 January 2023
The national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) under REACH, the European Union’s (EU) chemicals regulation. ECHA will publish the detailed proposal, one of the broadest in the EU’s history, on 7 February 2023.
-
Environment Agency publishes environmental risk evaluation reports for PFAS
(News)
20 April 2023
-
2022
-
German Federal Environment Agency publishes PFAS Guidance in English
(News)
24 March 2022
German Federal Environment Agency (Umwelt Bundesamt) has recently translated into English their PFAS guidance "Remediation management for local and wide spread PFAS contamination". It is available to download here. The guidance has been adopted by the German Conference of Environment Ministers at the beginning of 2022 and provides for an evaluation framework including relevant background information. The primary purpose is to assist competent authorities in their evaluation of PFAS inputs into water bodies and soil.
-
ITRC PFAS Guidance Document Updated
(News)
23 February 2022
Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) has released an updated Technical and Regulatory Guidance as an online resource. This update includes a broad expansion in the discussion of PFAS in several contexts, including naming conventions, bioaccumulation, treatment technologies and sampling and analytical methods. Other sections of the document have also been selected for additional content, including information in regarding the health effects of PFAS, the mechanisms of fate and transport of PFAS, and the change to fluorine free firefighting foams. The free resource is available here.
-
German Federal Environment Agency publishes PFAS Guidance in English
(News)
24 March 2022
-
2021
-
RSC publishes a Policy Position on PFAS
(News)
15 December 2021
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has recently published a Policy Position on PFAS. It is available to download here
-
HSE - PFAS Regulatory Management Options Analysis :call for evidence
(News)
2 December 2021
The UK, Welsh and Scottish Governments have asked HSE and the Environment Agency to prepare a regulatory management options analysis (RMOA) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This RMOA will investigate the risks posed by PFAS and recommend the best approach to protect human health and the environment from any identified risks. This call for evidence aims to gather information and evidence that will support HSE and the Environment Agency with the preparation of the RMOA. They are interested in all aspects of the manufacture, import, hazard profile, use and exposure; these include environmental fate, waste and its disposal requirements, recycling opportunities for these substances and products that contain these substances, and any legislation and standards that apply, including product-specific legislation and standards. Further information is available here Closing Date 31 January 2022.
-
Environment Agency publish PFAS: sources, pathways and environmental data
(News)
15 September 2021
The Environment Agency has recently published PFAS: sources, pathways and environmental data which can be downloaded here.
-
DEFRA hosted UK PFAS Workshop April 2021 - Presentations and outputs now available
(News)
9 June 2021
Defra hosted a two day PFAS workshop in April 2021. The workshop covered a range of PFAS topics from risk assessment to key PFAS policy questions and shared the work and thinking that DEFRA Chemicals Policy, the Environment Agency and other Government bodies have undertaken on PFAS. The presentations and summary outputs are now available to download:
-
RSC publishes a Policy Position on PFAS
(News)
15 December 2021
-
2020
-
Concawe Publish Review of Water Treatment Systems for PFAS removal
(News)
2 September 2020
Concawe has recently published ''Review of water treatment systems for PFAS removal” . The report has been prepared by DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (TZW) at the request of Concawe Special Task Force on Soil and Groundwater (WQ/STF-33).
-
ITRC publish PFAS Guidance Document and Training Videos
(News)
16 April 2020
The Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) has recently published a online document which includes the PFAS Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document, PFAS Fact Sheets and Explainer Videos. These are all free of charge and available to access and download here.
-
PFAS in the news - ‘Forever chemicals’ get the Hollywood treatment
(News)
26 February 2020
To coincide with the UK release of Hollywood film Dark Waters on 28 February, we’d like to bring to your attention some useful resources on the subject matter: per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) or colloquially 'forever chemicals'. Dark Waters tells the real-life story of the lawyer who took on a chemical company after discovering it was knowingly contaminating drinking water with PFAS. Although set in the US, the issue of PFAS is a global concern.
-
EEA report on emerging chemical risks in Europe - PFAS
(News)
7 January 2020
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has recently published a briefing summarising the known and potential risks to human health and the environment in Europe posed by persistent chemicals the per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). The report is available to download here
-
Concawe Publish Review of Water Treatment Systems for PFAS removal
(News)
2 September 2020
-
2019
-
CL:AIRE publishes new Technical Bulletin (TB19) on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)
(News)
26 February 2019
CL:AIRE is pleased to announce that a new Technical Bulletin TB19: Managing Risks and Liabilities associated with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) is now available to download. This Technical Bulletin provides a short summary of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and highlights approaches to effectively and pragmatically manage risks and liabilities associated with PFASs impact to the environment, such as soil and groundwater, in the UK and globally.
-
CL:AIRE publishes new Technical Bulletin (TB19) on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)
(News)
26 February 2019
-
2016
-
New Concawe report published on poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
(News)
21 July 2016
Concawe has recently published a report entitled, Environmental fate and effects of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (report no. 8/16). The report is available to download from the Concawe website, or directly from this link: https://www.concawe.eu/uploads/Modules/Publications/rpt_16-8.pdf
-
New Concawe report published on poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
(News)
21 July 2016