An episode of the BBCâs Panorama programme aired on 1 Dec 2025 with the title The Truth about Forever Chemicals.  While EBNetâs PFAS WG and the EBIC Hub obviously take this issue very seriously indeed, we are not sure some of the apparent messages here were very helpful. The programme was long on horrified reaction shots, but short on some important details, in ways that could cause unjustified alarm and anxiety.
In discussion with EBNet colleagues Prof Frederic Coulon commented âThe programme repeatedly referred to âPFASâ as a broad category but offered little clarity on toxicological variability, exposure thresholds, or the substantial scientific uncertainty that still exists. What we really need is a stronger evidence base and more nuanced communication rather than alarmist messaging, in my viewâ.
For an excellent brief introduction to some of these issues, see Dr Hans Slenderâs AquaConSoil 2025 keynote presentation, kindly made available on our YouTube channel. (The video has no sound, but the points made are crystal clear; and you can freeze frames to pick up more detail where needed).
Prof Coulon also responded to the recent EU enquiry on PFAS safety and regulation:Â for an update on the current status see here, and for a wide range of supporting information see the CL:AIRE PFAS Resources page.