The UK should prohibit the use of ‘forever chemicals’ in school uniforms, non-stick cookware and other everyday products, a cross-party committee of MPs said Wednesday. The Environmental Audit Committee Environmental Audit Committee warned that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose serious health and environmental risks due to their inability to break down in nature.

A report by the committee urged the government to phase out PFAS from consumer products starting with textiles like school uniforms and firefighting gear. Non-stick pans, food packaging and waterproof clothing were also highlighted as high-priority targets for restrictions. The chemicals, often called ‘forever chemicals’ because they accumulate in soil and water, have been linked to cancer, immune system damage and developmental issues in children.

MPs cite rising concerns over ‘forever chemicals’

Evidence submitted to the committee showed PFAS contamination is widespread in the UK, with measurable levels detected in rivers, soil and even human blood samples. The report pointed to studies linking PFAS exposure to increased risks of kidney and testicular cancer, as well as reduced vaccine effectiveness. Children wearing PFAS-treated school uniforms could face higher exposure risks, the MPs said.

The committee criticized the government’s slow response, noting that the UK has lagged behind the European Union, which has already moved to restrict certain PFAS under its REACH regulations. The European Chemicals Agency has proposed a near-total ban on PFAS, covering thousands of uses across industries.

Industry groups push back on proposed restrictions

Manufacturers of non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing argued that PFAS alternatives remain unproven or too costly. The British Coatings Federation said immediate bans could disrupt supply chains and leave consumers with fewer safe options. However, the committee dismissed these concerns, citing the availability of PFAS-free alternatives in other markets.

The report also called for stricter labeling requirements to help consumers identify PFAS-free products. It recommended that the government work with retailers to create a certification system for PFAS-free items, similar to existing eco-labels. Schools were urged to switch to uniforms made without PFAS-treated fabrics as soon as possible.

What happens next

The government has not yet responded to the committee’s recommendations but is expected to consult on a UK-wide PFAS strategy later this year. Environmental groups praised the report, calling it a step toward addressing a growing public health crisis. The Chemical Industries Association warned that any ban must allow sufficient time for businesses to adapt.

The committee’s chair, Philip Dunne, a Conservative MP, said the findings underscored the need for urgent action. ‘We cannot wait decades for these chemicals to degrade naturally,’ he said. ‘The government must act now to protect public health and the environment.’

The report comes as the UK prepares to diverge from EU chemical regulations post-Brexit. While the EU moves aggressively to restrict PFAS, the UK’s approach remains uncertain. Environmental campaigners argue that the country must not become a dumping ground for hazardous chemicals banned elsewhere.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: BBC News
  • Published: April 22, 2026 at 23:11 UTC
  • Category: Environment
  • Topics: #bbc · #environment · #climate · #school · #pfas-chemicals-ban · #forever-chemicals-uk

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Curated by GlobalBR News · April 22, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

A descoberta de que tecidos de uniformes escolares e frigideiras antiaderentes podem esconder um perigo invisível e persistente está acendendo alertas no Reino Unido — e, indiretamente, no Brasil, onde a importação de produtos similares é comum e a regulação ainda caminha a passos lentos. Parlamentares britânicos acabam de exigir a proibição imediata dos chamados “produtos químicos eternos” (PFAS), substâncias que não se degradam no meio ambiente e estão associadas a graves problemas de saúde, como câncer e distúrbios hormonais.

Os PFAS, usados para conferir resistência a manchas em tecidos e revestimentos antiaderentes, acumulam-se no corpo humano e no meio ambiente ao longo de décadas, daí o apelido “eternos”. No Reino Unido, a pressão política cresce após estudos revelarem concentrações preocupantes dessas substâncias em uniformes infantis, que entram em contato direto com a pele das crianças durante longas horas. No Brasil, onde a fiscalização de produtos químicos em importados muitas vezes depende de acordos internacionais e da capacidade de órgãos como a Anvisa, a notícia serve como um sinal de alerta: se o Reino Unido, com seus rígidos padrões, move-se para banir os PFAS, será que o país está preparado para lidar com a mesma ameaça?

A próxima batalha, tanto no Reino Unido quanto no Brasil, deve envolver não apenas a regulamentação desses produtos, mas também a busca por alternativas seguras — e a cobrança por transparência nas importações e na indústria nacional.