Setting up a network of experts for developing a guidance document on how to deal with human biomonitoring in PFAS hotspots

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a widely-used class of persistent chemicals, has been linked to an array of adverse health outcomes. While most individuals in Europe are exposed to background-levels of PFAS, some populations living near contaminated sites (‘PFAS hotspots’) are exposed at moderate, high or extremely high levels. Several PFAS hotspots have been identified in various regions in the EU, and new PFAS hotspots continue to be discovered. There is a large public health concern within several of these PFAS hotspots. In order to address the health concern of citizens living in the neighbourhood of PFAS hotspots, human biomonitoring in hotspot regions have been conducted, or are ongoing or planned. Within the HBM4EU project, the need for a network of experts addressing PFAS exposure in hotspots in EU has been recognised.

The collaboration within the network resulted in four main outcomes, reported in this document:

• An inventory of human biomonitoring studies in PFAS hotspots in Europe was created: overview the exposure levels, type and source of the contamination, exposure determinants, health research and policy impact of PFAS contamination at various hotspots across Europe
• A workshop on PFAS hotspots was organized (2 May 2022). During this half-day workshop, the knowledge and  challenges related to PFAS hotspots across Europe were presented and discussed with European, regional and local risk managers of contaminated sites, environmental health care workers, scientists, and regulatory authorities involved in chemical risk assessment.
• A guidance document on identification and monitoring, human biomonitoring, and risk communication in PFAS  hotspots has been drafted via collaboration within the network. The guidance aims to be useful for policy makers and scientists confronted with new PFAS hotpots (guidance document: see chapter 5 of this report).Recommendations for  further research and policy recommendations.
• Recommendations for further research and policy recommendations