Since PFAS were found in the south of Lyon, Pierre-Bénite has become a European symbol in the fight against forever chemical pollution.
But what are these substances exactly, and why are they causing concern across Europe?
But what are these substances exactly, and why are they causing concern across Europe?
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00:00This area in the south of Lyon, France, is known as the Chemical Valley, and its name
00:10is no coincidence.
00:12Chemical and petrochemical industrial giants have facilities here.
00:16Many of these sites have been classified as presenting the risk of causing major accidents,
00:21and worrying levels of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, have been discovered.
00:27But what are PFAS exactly, and why are they causing concern, not only here, but all over
00:32Europe?
00:33This is European Stories.
00:38Bare and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals,
00:44and they are everywhere.
00:46From rain jackets to pizza boxes, to guitar strings, waterproof makeup, and even dental
00:52floss.
00:54PFAS are also used to produce technologies that are key for the green and digital transitions,
01:01such as semiconductors, electric car batteries, and even wind turbines.
01:07They are highly resistant, and very good at repelling water, grease, and oil.
01:12But what makes them so useful, also makes them potentially harmful.
01:16They are called forever chemicals because they don't naturally break down in the environment.
01:21Today, they can be found in water, soil, animal feed, and even in our blood.
01:29Research conducted across nine European countries found PFAS in the blood of teenagers in every
01:34single country studied.
01:38Scientific studies have linked PFAS to cancer, cardiovascular and thyroid diseases, infertility,
01:45and immune system disorders.
01:48Most technologies for PFAS treatment used today only serve to remove them from water,
01:53and they are expensive.
01:54Currently, only a few PFAS are banned in the European Union, but this could change.
02:01In 2023, five European countries proposed restricting PFAS under REACH, the European
02:07Union's chemical regulation.
02:10The European Chemicals Agency is now evaluating the proposal.
02:14It will then share its opinions with the European Commission, which, together with
02:18member states, will decide on the restriction.
02:25In France, PFAS have been making the headlines.
02:28The National Assembly and Senate recently adopted a bill to ban forever chemicals by
02:322026 in cosmetics, most clothing, and ski waxes.
02:37And here in Lyon, the Greater City Council is taking two giants of the chemical valley
02:42to court.
02:43The Japanese air conditioning manufacturer Daikin and the French firm Arkema are world
02:48leaders in specialty materials such as adhesives and fluorochemicals.
02:53Both groups are accused of releasing massive amounts of forever chemicals.
02:57Pierre-Benit, just outside of Lyon, is one of the most affected areas.
03:04Many residents here are concerned.
03:08Thierry, who's lived in Pierre-Benit for 70 years, is one of them.
03:13A journalist told him about PFAS in 2021.
03:18Thierry now heads a citizen group to raise awareness about them.
03:28Thierry takes us to a vegetable garden, a plot of land that the chemical manufacturer
03:34Arkema gave to its workers.
03:42At the entrance, there is no visible indication of the controversy surrounding what is produced
03:47in this garden.
03:48Thierry shows us around.
04:00We are joined by Fabien, also a resident of the chemical valley.
04:04In his commune, Saint-Symphorien-de-Zon, high levels of PFAS were found in drinking water.
04:10In the Rhône Valley, the local health authority estimates that around 150,000 people's tap
04:16water is polluted with PFAS.
04:19The state ordered Arkema to stop using PFAS by end 2024, but this doesn't solve the issue
04:25of those already in the environment.
04:41I ask Thierry and Fabien if they still eat vegetables from the area.
04:52As for Thierry, he no longer eats local.
05:20Thierry might be right.
05:21Local authorities and even Arkema have advised people not to eat what is produced in this
05:27garden.
05:28Locals are also recommended not to eat eggs here.
05:33Back at Thierry's, I asked him if he thought European institutions could help.
05:37Here's what he told me.
05:51Can we do without PFAS in our daily lives?
06:01And is a ban at the EU level realistic?
06:05I contacted the European Chemicals Agency, which is currently studying a proposal from
06:10five European countries to restrict PFAS.
06:16We have two independent scientific committees, and they will evaluate this proposal that
06:21we have received from the five countries.
06:23So that's Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.
06:27And they have proposed a ban with EU-specific and time-limited derogations.
06:32That means that derogations are proposed for uses where PFAS-free alternatives are not
06:38yet available or suitable, or where the societal impacts are significant.
06:43For example, they have proposed a 12-year transition period for implantable medical
06:48devices.
06:49Whether it is easy or not to replace the PFAS, it really depends on the type of use.
06:54In some types of uses, it may be rather straightforward because there are alternatives available.
07:01But in other uses, it might be quite complex, and maybe the alternatives are not yet available.
07:08But again, that's all in the proposal, and that's being evaluated by the scientific
07:12committee.
07:13So at this point in time, I cannot really give you a final answer on what the opinions
07:17will be and what exactly the periods will be, but this is what has been considered in
07:22the proposal.
07:24So it's not yet clear whether there will be a restriction and what the conditions would
07:29be.
07:30The European Commission and the member states will have the final say.
07:34But if this happens, it could be a milestone in European chemicals regulation, as it would
07:39cover the whole family of PFAS substances.
07:42This would prevent industries from replacing PFAS with other PFAS.