Danube: dangerous and long-lasting chemical found in water

A 2023 study revealed that so-called “forever chemicals” (or PFAS), which persist in nature for an exceptionally long time, can be found in the Danube and its tributaries.

On the occasion of World Water Day, Átlátszó analysed the findings of the international research that examined the rivers of Europe, including the Danube, for traces of PFAS.

What are PFAS and why are they dangerous?

As the French Le Monde explains in its report on the PFAS “contamination” of Europe, these chemical compounds first gained popularity in the 1940s due to their non-stick and water-resistant properties. A wide array of everyday items, such as paints, acne treatments, waterproof makeup, food wrappers, floss, prostheses, textiles and kitchen utensils are coated with these substances.

They are also used in industrial processes for their excellent sealing properties, as well as in the manufacturing of semiconductors and, somewhat ironically, medical equipment.

However, the very attribute that renders PFAS so useful is also their greatest peril: their robust carbon and fluoride chains can travel long distances intact, meaning that they can spread far from the original contamination site. Furthermore, sustained high emissions and slow degradation of the chemicals combined lead to a continual accumulation of PFAS in nature.

Indeed, investigative journalists from Le Monde found that

“From the beautiful Blue Danube to Lake Orestiada (Greece), from the Bilina River (Czech Republic) to the Guadalquivir Basin (Spain), PFAS are detected in water, air, and rain; otters and codfish; boiled eggs and teenagers. […] Biomonitoring studies show that these unwanted components permeate our blood.”

The effects of PFAS are yet to be fully researched, but Le Monde highlights the possibility of decreased fertility, reduced birth weight of children, increased risk of certain types of cancer, elevated cholesterol or high blood pressure, among others.