Germany warns of PFAS in bathing lake, advises limits for young children

Authorities in Rastatt, Germany, have issued a warning regarding the presence of PFAS, a persistent chemical, in the Weitenung quarry lake near Bühl. The district office recommends that young children, typically weighing around 10 kilograms (about 14-18 months old), limit their swimming days to approximately 50 per year at this location.

This advisory comes after the State Office for Environmental Protection detected slightly elevated levels during its annual surface water monitoring for PFAS. The monitoring program examines numerous rivers, lakes, and designated bathing waters within the district. Officials noted a rising trend in PFAS concentrations at the Weitenung quarry lake's measurement point over the past few years.

Currently, there are no federal guidelines in Germany for PFAS levels in bathing lakes. It remains unclear if other bathing waters in southwestern Germany also exhibit critical PFAS concentrations. The chemical has been contaminating groundwater and agricultural land in the region for years, with compost potentially mixed with PFAS-laden paper sludge suspected as a source. Approximately 1,100 hectares of land and groundwater in the region, as well as areas near Mannheim, are affected by PFAS pollution.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are valued for their water- and grease-repellent properties and are found in a wide range of products. Due to their extremely slow degradation, these "forever chemicals" can enter rivers and lakes through wastewater, groundwater, firefighting foam, or contaminated soil, according to the Federal Environment Agency.