The perpetual chemicals PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) could be banned in Europe in the coming years. However, environmentalists, politicians and industry representatives are arguing about a possible ban. The population in Germany, on the other hand, has a clear opinion on the subject.
A large majority of people in Germany who are familiar with PFAS are in favour of an EU-wide ban on perpetual chemicals. In a representative survey commissioned by the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), more than three quarters of respondents (75.2 per cent) were in favour of Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) campaigning for a ban. For the survey, the opinion research company Civey interviewed around 1,000 people who are generally aware of PFAS at the end of September.
Some PFAS harbour health risks: cancer, organ damage and diabetes are documented consequences. The eternal chemicals are accumulating more and more in our bodies and in the environment. Luise Körner, BUND chemicals policy expert: ‘The results of the survey clearly show that most people who have dealt with PFAS are aware of the danger to health and the environment. The population urgently needs to be protected from the health risks.’
The opinion research company Civey surveyed around 1,000 people who know what PFAS are online for BUND from 20 to 28 September 2024. All data was collected in Civey's own panel with verified participants. The results are representative of the specified population, taking into account the statistical error of 5.7 percentage points.