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Bans appear to be working, but seven in ten adults still have too much PFAS in their blood

Recent RIVM research indicates that while PFAS levels in the blood of Dutch adults are lower than in previous years, seventy percent still exceed recommended health safety limits. The institute suggests that current European bans on specific substances are contributing to this decrease, though further restrictions are needed to manage ongoing environmental exposure.

A new study by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reveals that seventy percent of surveyed adults still have PFAS levels in their blood exceeding health guidelines. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 967 donors collected in 2025 and found that while concentrations of certain substances are lower than those recorded in 2016 and 2017, these levels remain a significant health concern. The decline in specific substances like PFOS and PFOA is attributed to existing European bans, suggesting that legislative restrictions on these chemicals are having a measurable positive impact.

Despite these improvements, the RIVM notes that caution is required, as the study participants and methodologies differed from previous assessments. Regional variations persist, with higher concentrations detected near the Westerschelde and around the Chemours plant in Dordrecht. Because PFAS substances are persistent in the environment and individuals continue to be exposed through food and water, experts emphasize the need for continued emission reductions. The RIVM advocates for stricter regulations on all PFAS types to ensure that levels in the general population continue to fall over time.

Health Netherlands

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Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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