The Forever Chemicals Lobby: A Disinformation Campaign to Delay Regulation
A new investigation by The Forever Lobbying Project reveals a sophisticated disinformation campaign orchestrated by the plastics industry and its allies to undermine a proposed EU ban on PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." These persistent chemicals, used in everything from non-stick cookware to medical devices, contaminate the environment and have been linked to serious health problems. The proposed ban, a landmark effort to address this pervasive pollution, has been met with fierce resistance from industry lobbyists deploying misleading and fear-mongering tactics straight from the corporate disinformation playbook.
The investigation focused on the lobbying efforts aimed at securing exemptions for fluoropolymers, a lucrative class of high-performance plastics. The industry’s core arguments, scrutinized by journalists and academics, are largely based on flawed science and economic scare tactics. One of the most egregious claims, repeated nearly 1,000 times in lobbying documents, is that fluoropolymers are "Polymers of Low Concern" based on OECD criteria. However, the OECD has confirmed that no such criteria exist and that they have not conducted any assessment of fluoropolymers. This blatant misrepresentation of scientific information highlights the lengths to which the industry will go to protect its profits.
The industry also employs the "not all PFAS are the same" argument, a tactic designed to downplay the inherent risks associated with these persistent chemicals. While it’s true that PFAS vary in their properties and toxicity, the unifying factor is their persistence, which allows them to accumulate in the environment and living organisms, increasing the likelihood of harmful effects. Lobbyists further claim that PFAS emissions and waste can be effectively managed, promoting self-regulation as a viable alternative to stricter measures. However, scientific evidence suggests that existing incineration technologies cannot guarantee the complete destruction of PFAS, and emissions, although potentially reduced in some cases, have not been eliminated.
Another key lobbying tactic is the "there is no alternative" argument, deployed to create a sense of urgency and indispensability. The industry claims that fluoropolymers are irreplaceable in critical applications, ranging from medical devices to green technologies, and that the ban would cripple these sectors. However, an independent analysis of industry claims found potential alternatives for nearly two-thirds of the specified applications. This discrepancy reveals a pattern of exploiting policy actors’ relative ignorance and prioritizing short-term economic interests over long-term sustainability and public health. Furthermore, historical documents demonstrate that the industry has been using these same "critical application" arguments for decades to delay regulation, despite having ample time to develop and implement safer alternatives.
The economic scaremongering employed by the plastics industry paints a dystopian picture of job losses, plant closures, and economic devastation. These dire predictions, often based on questionable assumptions and limited data, echo similar tactics used by other industries facing regulation, such as tobacco and fossil fuels. A closer look at the industry’s economic modelling reveals inconsistencies and a lack of transparency, raising doubts about the validity of their claims. Furthermore, the industry conveniently ignores the substantial economic benefits of reducing PFAS exposure, which include lower healthcare costs and fewer deaths.
The Forever Lobbying Project’s investigation exposes a deliberate attempt to manipulate public discourse and obstruct meaningful regulation of these harmful chemicals. By dissecting the industry’s key arguments, the investigation demonstrates how these arguments rely on misrepresentation, exaggeration, and the exploitation of scientific uncertainty. This campaign of disinformation, if successful, will have far-reaching consequences for public health and the environment. The investigation calls for greater scrutiny of industry lobbying efforts and emphasizes the urgent need for evidence-based policymaking that prioritizes public well-being over corporate profits.
The investigation’s findings highlight the critical role of independent research and investigative journalism in holding powerful industries accountable. By exposing the tactics used to obstruct progress on critical environmental and public health issues, this work empowers policymakers and the public to demand transparency and advocate for effective solutions. The fight against forever chemicals is a fight for a healthier and more sustainable future, and it requires a collective effort to resist the influence of those who prioritize profit over people and the planet.