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PFAS

PFAS, a well-known but poorly managed problem

The toxicity and persistence of PFAS are cause for concern, yet monitoring standards are not yet in place in Europe. The inclusion of these substances in legislation is recent and still incomplete.

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What are PFAS?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances) are persistent chemical pollutants, often referred to as "eternal pollutants". They are found in drinking water as a result of industrial processes, plastics and surface treatments. PFOA and PFOS are among the best-known and most dangerous.PFAS, including PFOA, are emerging pollutants present in drinking water, but still poorly regulated.

They accumulate in the body, disrupt the hormonal system, and are associated with certain cancers.
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PFAS in drinking water: European threshold deemed too high

The European threshold of 100 ng/L per PFAS is a political compromisenot a "zero danger" threshold

The European threshold

100 ng/L per substance (PFOA, PFOS, etc.)

‍500ng/L for the sum of 20 PFAS

Implemented by 2026

‍Issuefrom European Directive 2020/2184

What science says

Health effects (fertility, hormones, immunity) observed at much lower dosesµ

TheEPA (United States) recommends a threshold of 0.004 ng/L for PFOA
, i.e. 25,000 times stricter.

What some countries do

Denmark takes a position of maximum precaution with a limit of 2 ng/L for the sum of 4 PFAS

‍Othercountries (Germany, Netherlands) are considering lower thresholds depending on the zone

Regulations are slow in coming, as implementation is complex at the national level

PFASs, including PFOA, are emerging pollutants present in drinking water, but still poorly regulated.
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1980

1st European directive with 66 parameters.

Directive 80/778/EEC
1998

New simplified directive (up to 48 parameters), focused on public health.

Directive 98/83/EC: introduction of lead, nitrates, pesticides, bacteria (E. coli).
2003

The EU begins discussions on PFAS, drugs, endocrine disruptors...

Debate on emerging contaminants not yet included in regulations
2009

Tighter regulations on certain PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)

Inclusion of Benzopyrene
2015

Citizens and NGOs call for new pollutants to be taken into account in the Drinking Water Directive

EU public consultation with 5,908 responses from citizens and 138 contributions from key organizations and stakeholders.
2020

Complete overhaul of the directive

Directive (EU) 2020/2184
- Adds PFAS, chlorate, chlorite, pathogenic micro-organisms, etc.
- Takes into account the vulnerability of populations
‍-Encourages analysis of drug residues
2023

Start of enhanced surveillance

First national campaigns on PFAS (e.g. France, Belgium)
2026

All member states must test drinking water for the 20 PFAS listed, including PFOA.

PFAS analysis obligation
2028

The EU is planning an update to include other substances (e.g. drug residues, microplastics).

aqooa reverse osmosis: your best defense against PFAS

Reverse osmosis removes up to 99% of PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS
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Independent studies by government agencies and leading scientific journals confirm the extreme effectiveness of reverse osmosis in removing PFAS from drinking water.
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EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

"Reverse osmosis membranes are among the most effective technologies for removing PFAS, with retention rates typically above 90%, and up to 99% for PFOA and PFOS."
Link to EPA study (2023)

Study published in Nature - npj Clean Water (2023)

Tests carried out on various domestic reverse osmosis systems have shown efficiencies in excess of 98% for long-chain PFASs (PFOA, PFOS), and very high efficiencies even for some short-chain PFASs, which are often more difficult to capture.
Read the article on nature.com

Study published in Water Research (2025)

"Reverse osmosis membranes have demonstrated PFAS removal capacity in excess of 99%, although efficiency can vary depending on membrane characteristics, PFAS type and operating conditions."
Read the article on ScienceDirect