Chemical companies lobbying MPs not to ban PFAS

By Tess Coley and Pippa Neill | The Guardian | August 29, 2025

Read the full article by Tess Coley and Pippa Neill (The Guardian)

“Chemical firms are lobbying MPs not to ban ‘forever chemicals’ in the same way as proposed in the EU, using arguments disputed by scientists and described as ‘big tobacco playbook’ tactics, it can be revealed.

Pfas, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and commonly known as forever chemicals owing to their persistence in the environment, are a family of about 10,000 chemicals, some of which have been linked to a wide range of serious illnesses, including certain cancers. They are used across a range of industries, from cosmetics to firefighting.

In May, MPs on the environmental audit committee (EAC) launched an inquiry into Pfas, with a call for evidence on the uses and risks of the substances, and options for how to regulate them.”

This content provided by the PFAS Project.