• A study by UFC-Que Choisir and Future Generations revealed dangerous levels of “forever chemicals,” specifically trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), in tap water across many French cities, including Paris.
• Paris’ 10th district ranked second in contamination levels, with 6,200 nanograms per liter of TFA—far above the EU’s proposed limit of 500 nanograms per litre for all PFAS combined.
• PFAS exposure is linked to health issues like birth defects, kidney disease and cancer. The study criticized France’s current PFAS regulations as “far too unprotective” compared to stricter standards in other countries.
• A U.S. study linked PFAS-contaminated drinking water to higher cancer incidences, suggesting the need for stricter regulations and comprehensive testing worldwide.
• A bill restricting PFAS manufacture and sale, which passed its first reading, will be voted on again, with advocates hoping for stricter national regulations to address the contamination crisis.

A shocking new study has revealed that drinking water in many French cities, including Paris, is contaminated with dangerous levels of “forever chemicals,” raising urgent concerns about public health and regulatory oversight. The findings, released by consumer rights organization UFC-Que Choisir and environmental group Future Generations, highlight the pervasive presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), in tap water across the country.

The scope of contamination

The study analyzed 30 water samples from cities and towns across France, with TFA detected in 24 of them. Alarmingly, 20 samples exceeded European regulatory limits for PFAS, which are set to become stricter in 2026. Paris’ 10th district ranked second in contamination levels, with a staggering 6,200 nanograms per liter of TFA—far above the EU’s proposed limit of 500 nanograms per liter for all PFAS combined. Moussac in southern France topped the list, while Bruxerolles in western France came in third.

PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breaking down in the environment, have been linked to a range of health problems, including birth defects, kidney disease and cancer. Despite their known risks, TFA is rarely tested for in France’s drinking water controls, leaving millions of citizens unknowingly exposed.

“There is no miracle solution to offer consumers,” said Pauline Cervan, a toxicologist at Future Generations. “Bottled water is also contaminated, and filters are not effective.”

A call for stricter standards

The study also criticized France’s current PFAS regulations as “far too unprotective” compared to stricter standards in countries like the United States and Denmark. If France were to adopt the most stringent standards and include TFA in its testing, 80% of the samples analyzed would be deemed non-compliant.

Olivier Andrault of UFC-Que Choisir emphasized the need for immediate action: “We therefore need to act. At an individual level, it is impossible to escape PFAS. So we need collective action by the public authorities.”

A bill aimed at restricting the manufacture and sale of PFAS, which passed its first reading in 2024, is set to be voted on again next month. Advocates hope this legislation will mark a turning point in addressing the contamination crisis.

The global cancer connection

The French findings come on the heels of a groundbreaking U.S. study linking PFAS-contaminated drinking water to a higher incidence of rare cancers. Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that communities exposed to PFAS in their water supply experienced up to a 33% higher incidence of certain cancers, including digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and mouth and throat cancers.

“These findings allow us to draw an initial conclusion about the link between certain rare cancers and PFAS,” said Shiwen (Sherlock) Li, PhD, the study’s lead author. “This suggests that it’s worth researching each of these links in a more individualized and precise way.”

The study estimated that PFAS contamination contributes to over 6,800 cancer cases annually in the U.S. alone. Males in affected areas showed higher rates of leukemia and urinary system cancers, while females had elevated rates of thyroid and soft tissue cancers.

A path forward

The mounting evidence underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and comprehensive testing for PFAS worldwide. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to enforce limits on six types of PFAS by 2029, experts argue that even these measures may not go far enough.

“Certain PFAS that were less studied need to be monitored more, and regulators need to think about other PFAS that may not be strictly regulated yet,” Li added.

In France, the battle for cleaner water is just beginning. As citizens and advocacy groups demand action, the question remains: will policymakers rise to the occasion, or will the invisible threat of forever chemicals continue to poison our water and our health?

The stakes could not be higher. As Cervan aptly put it, “We need collective action by the public authorities.” The time to act is now—before the contamination crisis becomes irreversible.

Sources include:

NationalPulse.com

InsiderPaper.com

Kecek.usc.edu