The Zero PFAS II project is a collaboration within the Baltic Sea region to step up efforts to reduce PFAS emissions. The project focuses on sharing and spreading information on PFAS among stakeholders in the region.
Project description
PFASs are extremely persistent and resist biological degradation, and studies have shown that they can be linked to harmful health effects such as cancer. Still, they have been widely used in industrial and consumer products for years. This project notes that stricter guidelines will ultimately be implemented by the EU, banning around 200 PFAS substances from February 2023. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go to implement the ban. One reason is unknown sources of emissions, and another the lack of standard analytical methods, resulting in PFAS usage not being discovered in the supply chains.
Much research has been done on PFAS, but according to the ZeroPFAS II project, industries and municipalities are not paying enough attention to the issue. Against this background, the project wants to promote knowledge sharing and information exchange across the borders. In particular, it will strengthen the Baltic Sea PFAS network which has more than 90 members in seven countries in the region. The activities include three science roadshows and seminars, meetings, proposal preparations, website update and newsletter sending.
Activities
Throughout the project duration, ZeroPFAS II organizes three roadshows in Stockholm, Tartu, and Vilnius. The focus is on compiling the state of knowledge on PFAS in Estonia and Lithuania and bringing together different stakeholders who can initiate and lead PFAS work in these countries. The purpose of supporting the development of these networks is to promote further EU-wide projects to reduce PFAS.
The project also holds regular digital meetings, Baltic Sea PFAS Network Coffee Break. These casual meetups will provide a platform where PFAS experts can discuss diverse issues on PFAS, and where people can learn more from experts at the forefront of this field. The network is cost-free to join and open to all. More information is available on the network's platform Baltic Sea PFAS Network.
Lead partner: IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
Project partners: University of Tartu (Estonia), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, UBC Sustainable Cities Commission (Finland), KEMI Kemikalieinspektionen (Swedish Chemicals Agency)
Funding
The Zero PFAS II project is supported by the Swedish Institute's program to initiate projects that work with cross-border challenges in the Baltic Sea region and seek opportunities together with organizations from countries around the Baltic Sea. The project aims to create collaboration opportunities even after the project period.
Project information
The ZeroPFAS II project is about minimizing the spread of PFAS in the Baltic Sea. It focuses on sharing and spreading information on these toxic substances among stakeholders in the region.