Nordrhein Medical Association discusses sponge cities and PFAS risks

At the 30th anniversary meeting of the Environmental Medicine Network of the Nordrhein Medical Association, experts discussed the intersection of urban planning and public health. A primary focus was the ‘sponge city’ concept, which aims to mitigate heat and heavy rainfall by storing rainwater locally through surface unsealing, increased greenery, and the use of ponds or cisterns.

Alongside urban adaptation, the discussion addressed the risks of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). Environmental medicine specialists noted that higher exposure to these persistent industrial chemicals may correlate with a weakened antibody response following vaccinations.

Regarding water management, the network emphasized that infrastructure changes must be paired with hygiene concepts to protect water quality. This includes managing water temperatures to prevent the proliferation of Legionella, with recommendations to keep water temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius when entering household networks.