PFAS detected in 99 percent of all Swiss soils
Nationwide study identifies specific sources for particularly high concentrations of perpetual chemicals
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PFAS are found throughout Switzerland, but elevated levels are only found at specific locations. A new evaluation combines over a thousand measurements of PFAS contamination in Swiss soils and thus provides a more accurate picture of the pollution situation.
For the overview, researchers from the ZHAW and ETH Zurich compiled and evaluated 1070 PFAS soil measurements on behalf of the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN. The evaluation shows that PFAS are detectable in over 99 percent of soil samples. Elevated levels are found in areas with suspected use of extinguishing foam or sewage sludge. The measurements originate from cantonal investigations and the National Soil Monitoring.
The mean PFAS content (median) is 2.4 micrograms per kilogram and therefore higher than the median of 1.4 micrograms per kilogram in the ZHAW study from 2022. The difference can be explained by the methodology: While the 2022 study depicted the basic contamination of Swiss soils, the new evaluation also includes measurements from cantonal studies on settlement soils or suspected areas. "The evaluation paints a more comprehensive picture of the pollution situation in Swiss soils and underlines that PFAS are present in soils across the board," says ZHAW expert Basilius Thalmann, co-author of the study.
Hotspots in extinguishing foam and sewage sludge
The study confirms that areas with specific sources such as the use of extinguishing foam have significantly higher concentrations than, for example, woodland or grassland in mountainous areas. The spreading of sewage sludge is also considered a risk factor for increased pollution. Nevertheless, there are also sites where sewage sludge has been applied that do not show elevated levels.
The results represent a significant addition to our knowledge of the contamination situation in Swiss soils. "We are not surprised by the results, but consider them to be a cause for concern. They provide an important decision-making basis for federal and cantonal enforcement," says Thalmann.
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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