PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ pose global health and environmental risks

A new documentary titled ‘Gift in unserem Alltag – Die Plage der PFAS’ will premiere on ORF 1 and ORF ON on September 2, 2026, examining the global environmental and health risks posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Known as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their inability to degrade, PFAS are found in products such as coated pans, outdoor clothing, and firefighting foam. The substances are linked to cancer and hormonal disruption, remaining in soil and water for centuries. The film explores the impact of these chemicals through the perspectives of researchers, activists, and those affected.

The documentary highlights various international incidents, including the 2025 sentencing of managers at a PFAS supplier in Italy and reports of significant soil and groundwater contamination following the closure of a Solvay chemical plant in Salindres, France. In Germany, the city of Rastatt has increased water prices to fund expensive purification processes and has implemented strict agricultural monitoring to prevent further contamination. While legal actions against manufacturers have been ongoing in the United States for decades, the film notes that Europe has been slower to respond.