▪︎ Restrictions, PFAS
A cross-generational comparative study from France underscores the importance of strict PFAS regulation
PFAS have been the focus of regulatory agencies, the scientific community, and industry for years. A recent, cross-generational comparative study from France now provides further evidence that regulatory measures can indeed be effective. At the same time, the results make it clear that exposure to PFAS remains widespread. From the researchers’ perspective, this underscores the need to move beyond the regulation of individual substances toward a more comprehensive approach for the entire PFAS class of compounds.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a broad group of more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals used in a wide range of industrial applications and consumer products due to their unique performance characteristics. They are highly resistant to water, grease, heat, and chemical degradation, making them valuable in products such as textiles, food packaging, firefighting foams, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, and numerous industrial processes.
However, these same properties also make PFAS a growing environmental and regulatory concern. Many PFAS are extremely persistent and degrade very slowly, if at all, in the environment, which has led to their common designation as “forever chemicals.” Some PFAS can accumulate in living organisms and have been linked to adverse health effects. The sheer size and diversity of the PFAS chemical family further complicate efforts to assess risks and develop effective regulatory approaches.
Regulation Is Delivering Results: Findings from a French Intergenerational Study
A study published in the journal Environment International has provided the first direct comparison of PFAS exposure levels over approximately three decades using a French mother-daughter cohort. Researchers from Paris-Saclay University analyzed blood samples from 236 women collected between 1994 and 1999 and compared them with samples from their daughters, who are now roughly the same age their mothers were at the time of the original sampling.
The findings are striking. Concentrations of the well-known PFAS compounds PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) were substantially lower in the second generation. Similar reductions were observed for several other PFAS. Particularly notable was the decline in substances historically used as precursors in the production of PFOA and PFOS, which had once been detected in nearly all samples.
According to the researchers, these changes are likely linked to regulatory measures, including the inclusion of PFOA (2019) and PFOS (2010) under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and related European restrictions. The study therefore provides valuable real-world evidence that regulatory action can successfully reduce human exposure to hazardous chemicals.
A Positive Development, but Challenges Remain
Despite these encouraging results, the study also highlights the ongoing challenges associated with PFAS. PFOA and PFOS remained among the most frequently detected PFAS compounds, even in the younger generation.
The researchers also identified associations between PFAS exposure and changes in specific biological markers, including elevated testosterone levels and reduced concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). These findings are consistent with scientific evidence suggesting that certain PFAS may act as endocrine disruptors.
For the study authors, the results demonstrate not only the effectiveness of existing regulatory measures but also the need for further action. In particular, they advocate for a broader, class-based regulatory approach that addresses PFAS as a group rather than focusing solely on individual substances.
PFAS Regulation Beyond the EU
The findings of the French study clearly demonstrate the impact that regulatory measures can have on reducing human exposure to PFAS. At the same time, they highlight the increasing momentum behind PFAS regulation worldwide. New legal and compliance requirements are emerging not only within Europe but also across other key global markets.
In our upcoming free webinar, “PFAS Regulation Outside the EU – Current Status and Emerging Developments,” taking place on October 2, 2026, we will provide an overview of current and upcoming PFAS regulatory requirements in major international jurisdictions. Join us to learn which developments global businesses should already be monitoring and how to prepare proactively for evolving compliance obligations.
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