Remediating PFAS pollution in Europe could cost €100 billion a year

By Hugh Ryan2026-07-06T12:48:00

Diagram showing PFAS movement through environmental pathways, with legacy and emerging remediation scenarios targeting contaminated soils, drinking water, wastewater, sludge and landfill leachate

Source: © zimmytws/Getty Images

Analysis highlights the enormous financial burden of remediating long- and short-chain PFAS contamination

A new study suggests Europe could spend more than €100 billion (£85 billion) a year remediating PFAS pollution while still capturing less than 2% of current emissions. Researchers say the findings reinforce the need to prioritise reducing PFAS use and releases at source rather than trying to clean up contamination after it occurs.