The party accountable for PFAS pollution is under investigation.

In the picturesque region of Alsace, France, authorities have issued a warning against consuming tap water due to elevated levels of 20 forever chemicals known as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). These chemicals, often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their extreme resistance to degradation, have been detected almost everywhere and pose a significant global concern.

PFAS were first discovered in 1938 by the American chemical giant DuPont and were initially used in the development of the atomic bomb. Since then, they have found their way into households worldwide under the brand name "Teflon" in the form of coated pans, marking the beginning of the commercial rise of these chemicals.

PFAS are used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including waterproof outdoor clothing, makeup, stain-resistant carpets, medical devices, semiconductors, and wind turbines. However, their use has been linked to a host of health issues, such as liver and kidney damage, increased cholesterol levels, diseases of the lymph nodes, reduced fertility in men and women, low birth weights in babies, reduced effectiveness of vaccinations, and cancer in high concentrations.

Studies suggest that high levels of PFOA, a specific PFAS substance, in the Trissino region of Italy are linked to cases of kidney and testicular cancer. A court in Rome concluded that the region has been contaminated with extremely toxic chemicals from a local chemical facility. The contamination could affect around 350,000 people in the northern Italian region of Veneto.

In Dalton, Georgia, a lawsuit is being filed against a carpet manufacturer, Chemours, and the chemical company 3M due to fears of PFAS contamination. In Europe, 23,000 sites are known to be contaminated with PFAS, and 2,300 of these are so heavily contaminated that they pose a health risk.

The European Union aims to completely abolish PFAS in the long term, with exceptions for products whose use of PFAS is "essential for society". However, the use of PFAS has been a contentious issue in the United States, with legally binding limits for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water being adopted under former US President Joe Biden, only to be reversed by the subsequent Trump administration for four of them.

In a significant move, DuPont and the company Chemours have agreed to pay $671 million in compensation to 3,550 people affected by PFAS contamination. In 2023, the 3M Group agreed to pay around $10 billion to local water suppliers to settle lawsuits over PFAS pollution and those that could arise.

As the battle against PFAS continues, it is clear that these "forever chemicals" pose a significant threat to human health and the environment. It is crucial for authorities and industries to take decisive action to limit the use of PFAS and ensure the safety of our communities.