A cross-border investigation claimed the cost of cleaning up per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment across Europe could be as high as €2trn (US$2trn) over 20 years.

The Forever Lobbying Project, coordinated by French daily newspaper Le Monde, accused the plastics industry of mounting a disinformation campaign to continue producing PFAS. The investigation involved 46 journalists and 18 experts across 16 countries and was supported by the Pulitzer Centre and the Broad Reach Foundation in the US, Journalismfund.eu and IJ4EU.

PFAS are a family of over 10,000 man-made chemicals. They are almost indestructible without human intervention and persist in living organisms, including humans. They have been linked to many illnesses, and have the potential to contaminate drinking water, indoor environments and the wider ecosystem. Textiles account for approximately 35% of total global PFAS demand, they are found in many synthetic textiles, as they offer durability and properties such as waterproofness.

According to scientists, regulators and civil society, the “poison of the century” has created the worst pollution crisis humanity has ever faced.

Stéphane Horel Investigative journalist at Le Monde and lobbywatcher for the Forever Lobbying Project told WTiN: “This unprecedented pollution crisis is a major opportunity for innovation.