PFAS in Wine, Water & Makeup: How We Can Ban Forever Chemicals From Our Lives

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of over 10,000 man-made chemicals used in many everyday products. They’ve been around since the 1940s, mainly because of their unique ability to resist water, oil, stains and heat. This resistance has made them popular in products like non-stick cookware, rainproof clothing, food packaging and cosmetics. But these same properties are what make PFAS dangerous: they don’t break down easily in the environment or in the human body.

Known as “forever chemicals“, PFAS have now spread across the planet. We find them in our soil, our water, our food, and even into our bloodstreams. Scientists are concerned and governments are starting to take action. But these chemicals are still in thousands of products, from your favourite lipstick to the glass of wine you drink at dinner.

Why are PFAS so dangerous?

One of the biggest problems with PFAS is their persistence. These chemicals stay in the environment for years — often decades — without breaking down. That means once they get into rivers, lakes or soil, they’re very difficult to remove. Rain can carry them into groundwater and, from there, into our drinking water.

Research shows PFAS are linked to serious health problems, like:

• liver damage
• thyroid issues
• obesity
• fertility problems
• and even cancer.

But even low levels of these chemicals exposure over long periods can lead to health risks. This is especially worrying because most people are exposed without even knowing it – through drinking water, food or common products, like skin creams and non-stick pans.

Why are PFAS not being regulated?

Governments and scientists are now debating just how much exposure to PFAS is dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission are working on stricter safety guidelines.

The European Union is planning to take strong steps to tackle the threat of chemical pollution through tighter regulations. They plan to ban over 10,000 PFAS chemicals under the EU’s REACH chemicals regulation. This would be one of the largest chemical bans in EU history. 

The goal is to phase out PFAS use in most consumer products, including cosmetics, food packaging, textiles and firefighting foams, with limited exceptions where no alternatives exist. Some countries, like France, are going even further by proposing national bans on PFAS in specific sectors, such as cosmetics and clothing by 2026. 

The European Commission is also working on stricter drinking water standards to limit PFAS exposure. They have added several substances to the list of priority pollutants under the Water Framework Directive.

But the chemical industry is lobbying to delay or weaken these measures. Help us to keep up the pressure by signing our petition to protect public health and the environment from these persistent and toxic substances.

Forever chemicals in our nature and in water: what’s at risk?

One of the main ways people are exposed to PFAS is through drinking water. These chemicals have seeped into water sources near factories, airports, and military bases, where firefighting foams or industrial waste have been used. Once they enter water systems, they are extremely difficult to remove.

Water filters can help to reduce personal exposure to PFAS in drinking water but not all filters remove it reliably. This is why it is still important to advocate for stronger PFAS regulations. This way we can force polluters to clean up contaminated water in your local area.

PFAS have a serious and long-lasting impact on nature and the environment. They accumulate in soil, rivers, lakes, and even in remote ecosystems far from where they were originally used. Wildlife, including fish, birds, and mammals, can absorb the chemicals through contaminated water or food. This leads to harmful effects such as reduced fertility, hormone disruption, and weakened immune systems. This kind of pollution can also affect entire food chains, as these chemicals move up from smaller organisms to larger predators. In agricultural areas, PFAS-contaminated water and sludge can enter the soil and be absorbed by crops, further spreading the pollution. This widespread and invisible contamination threatens biodiversity and puts ecosystems under long-term stress, making it one of the most dangerous forms of modern chemical pollution.

Here are only a few examples of how PFAS pollution is harming nature and the environment:

• Contaminated rivers and lakes: PFAS have been detected in surface water bodies across Europe, including the Rhine and the Danube, affecting aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources.
• PFAS in fish and wildlife: Studies have found high levels of chemicals in fish in Scandinavian lakes and rivers, making them unsafe to eat and disrupting aquatic life.
• Soil contamination from sewage sludge: In Germany and the Netherlands, PFAS from industrial waste and sewage sludge have polluted farmland soil, leading to long-term damage to crops and groundwater.
• Arctic pollution: PFAS have been found in the blood of polar bears and Arctic foxes, showing that these chemicals travel long distances through air and ocean currents.
• Bird population health: PFAS might reduce hatching success and developmental problems in bird species such as gulls and ospreys near contaminated wetlands.
• Bioaccumulation in marine animals: Seals, dolphins, and whales in European coastal waters have been found with forever chemicals in their tissues, raising concerns about the health of marine ecosystems.

PFAS in your make-up and skincare

You might be surprised to learn that many beauty products contain PFAS. In fact, studies have found the chemicals in foundations, mascaras, lipsticks, eyeliners, and even sunscreens. These chemicals are often added to make products waterproof or long-lasting. But when you apply them to your skin or accidentally swallow them from lip products the toxic chemicals can be absorbed into your body.

The good news is that more brands are now offering PFAS-free cosmetics. Look for makeup labeled “PFAS-free” or “free from toxic chemicals.” If you’re unsure, check the ingredients list for chemical names like PTFE, perfluoroalkyl, or anything with “fluoro” in the name. Choosing cosmetic brands without these chemicals is one of the simplest ways to reduce exposure and protect your health.

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Lena Schilling (@lena.ats)

Chemicals in wine: what’s really in your glass?

You may not think of wine when you think of pollution, but chemicals like PFAS can make their way into wine through water, soil and wine-making equipment. While they aren’t directly added to wine, they can contaminate vineyards through pesticides, polluted water or the winemaking process itself. A recent study on PFAS has shown that these pesticides can be found in wine from 10 EU countries, including wine from Italy.

In some cheap wines, leftover residues from chemicals used in wine-making may remain in the final product. These can include sulfites, stabilizers and other synthetic additives. And while not all of these are harmful, there is growing concern about toxic wine and chemical residues in red wine—especially for people who drink it regularly.

That’s why consumers are increasingly looking for chemical-free wine or non-toxic wine options. Organic and biodynamic wines, for instance, are often made without synthetic pesticides or industrial additives. They may be a safer choice if you’re worried about wine making chemicals or PFAS in your food and drink. 

Wine is part of our European culture and heritage. A lot of local communities thrive off wine production. If European wine were to become unsafe, and wine-makers were unable to sell it, it could cause irreparable damage to local economies. If you want to help us to protect our Merlot or Chardonnay – and our wine-making communities – sign our action here.

Chemicals in clothing and food packaging

PFAS aren’t only in water and beauty products, they’re also often part of waterproof jackets, carpets, and even pizza boxes. The same properties that make these chemicals so useful, like resisting stains or grease, mean they’re added to everything from hiking gear to fast food wrappers. But they don’t stay in these products forever. Over time, PFAS can wear off, end up in household dust, or leach into your food.

Many fast food items come wrapped in PFAS-treated packaging. Items like microwave popcorn bags often contain coatings made with the toxic chemicals. Unless labeled “PFAS-free,” they may expose you to these chemicals when heated.

To avoid unnecessary exposure, more and more people consider buying chemical-free clothing and skip non-stick, stain-resistant or water-repellent labels unless the product is clearly marked as PFAS-free. Choosing fresh foods over packaged ones is always better (where possible). Cooking at home can also limit exposure from takeout containers and food wrappers.

So, when are PFAS being banned?

Some types of PFAS, like PFOA and PFOS, are already banned in Europe. The EU has introduced restrictions through the REACH regulation, and a broader proposal to ban thousands of these chemicals is under consideration. France, for instance, plans to ban PFAS in cosmetics and textiles from 2026, with wider bans by 2030.

We in the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament have been actively pushing for stronger laws. We support a complete ban on PFAS in consumer products and we want chemical companies to pay for cleaning up pollution. 

PFAS: Forever Chemicals, Lasting Impact

PFAS are one of the most pressing chemical threats of our time. Found in everything from drinking water to makeup, wine, and clothing, they pose serious risks to both human health and the planet. Because they don’t break down, their impact can last for generations.

But it’s not too late to act. Governments are finally starting to respond, and consumers have more choices than ever. By staying informed and choosing safer alternatives, we can reduce exposure, demand accountability, and help clean up our world.