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Eternal “toxic” pollutants in the blood of a European commissioner

by AI | 29.Sep 2025 | Europe in brief AI

To symbolically raise awareness about the danger of “forever chemicals” (PFAS), the European Commissioner for the Environment conducted a blood test during the summer, the results of which she revealed on Monday.

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for the Environment, arrives at a meeting of the College of Commissioners at the EU headquarters in Brussels on May 21, 2025. (Photo: Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)

Brussels – Commissioner Jessika Roswall tested positive for six of the 13 PFAS analyzed, including three considered toxic to reproductive health, and above the recommended threshold for some of these pollutants, her team indicated.

 “ I am not an exception (…) the results show me that I indeed have PFAS in my blood, particularly toxic substances for reproductive health ,” said the commissioner, on the sidelines of a press conference on the state of nature in Europe.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of synthetic chemicals that take a very long time to break down.

Used in many items (textiles, food packaging, kitchen utensils, cosmetics…) for their non-stick, water-repellent, or heat-resistant properties, they can have deleterious effects: increased cholesterol levels, cancers, effects on fertility and fetuses…

The EU plans to put forward a proposal to ban PFAS in everyday consumer products in 2026. (September 29, 2025)