The European Waste Management Association (FEAD) has announced the publication of a landmark scientific article titled The Presence of PFAS in Wastes and Related Implications on the Current and Proposed European Regulatory Framework: A Systematic Critical Review in the multidisciplinary journal Detritus.
This comprehensive study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Padova, was commissioned by FEAD in response to the PFAS ban proposal submitted by several European Union Member States to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in 2023. The research provides a state-of-the-art review of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their presence in various waste streams, including paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles, and metal.
Authored by the late Alberto Pivato, Giovanni Beggio, Stefano Maggi, Francesco Marrone, Tiziano Bonato, Federico Peres, Wei Peng, and Maria Cristina Lavagnolo, the article represents the culmination of months of rigorous research. The team collected nearly 5000 single concentration values from various waste streams, finding that only a small number of cases exceeded the considered limit.
The research is particularly significant given the widespread use of PFAS and the scarcity of knowledge on its impact in waste management. The recent restriction on the placing on the market of food contact packaging containing PFAS above certain thresholds, agreed between the Council and the Parliament for the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, underscores the pressing need for understanding and managing PFAS.
The publication of this article marks an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to understand and address the challenges posed by PFAS contamination in wastes, according to FEAD. FEAD community mourns the loss of a dear friend and colleague, Professor Alberto Pivato, his contributions to this study and his joyful spirit will forever be remembered.
FEAD secretary general Paolo Campanella said: “This article is the result of months of collaborative effort between researchers and FEAD. FEAD is proud to have been a part of this initiative, which contributes valuable insights into the complex issue of PFAS in wastes.”
The organisation added it remains committed to advancing knowledge and promoting sustainable solutions in this critical area.
It also said it mourns the loss of a dear friend and colleague, Professor Alberto Pivato, with his contributions to this study and his joyful spirit forever remembered.
