New strategy launched to tackle ‘forever chemicals’

Jersey sets out action plan to address airport chemical contamination

The Government of Jersey has unveiled measures to support islanders affected by historic pollution linked to firefighting foam used at Jersey Airport.

The action plan follows the discovery of high levels of so-called “forever chemicals” – Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – which do not easily break down in the environment and can accumulate in the body.

Under the new scheme, islanders tested for PFAS in 2022 will be offered colesevelam, a drug shown to lower PFAS levels in the bloodstream. For those unsuitable for medication, therapeutic phlebotomy – controlled blood removal – may be considered.

The government also confirmed that blood testing would be expanded to include more residents and workers who may have been exposed.

Independent experts have linked PFAS exposure to serious health risks, including kidney and testicular cancers, as well as high cholesterol. Tests carried out in 2022 revealed that many of the 88 islanders screened had PFAS concentrations well above international averages, indicating even greater exposure in previous decades.

Health Minister Tom Binet described the government’s response as “swift, proportionate and evidence-based,” stressing that Jersey’s mains water continues to meet both EU and UK safety standards. He added that further research will now examine the presence of PFAS across the wider environment.