PFAS – Research and Delivery Center
Working to protect Danes from PFAS. Denmark’s PFAS Center was established to generate the knowledge that makes it easier to prevent, contain, and remediate PFAS pollution.
Leader of the PFAS Center, Professor Anders Baun, DTU
“The environment is full of PFAS, and the problem is so extensive that we cannot clean it all up. More knowledge is needed to ensure that the solutions we propose are long-term and that society makes the right investments.”
Write to Anders BaunAbout the PFAS Center
The PFAS Center conducts research on how to prevent, contain, and remediate widespread PFAS pollution. PFAS is problematic because the more than 10,000 chemical substances do not degrade in nature, and many of them can accumulate in humans and animals with subsequent harmful effects. The center, funded by the Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality, focuses on impacts on the environment, health, food, and feed.
The PFAS Center is a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen (KU), University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Aarhus University (AU), and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), where it is located.
PFAS: What is it?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made chemicals comprising over 10,000 different substances. They are known for their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which make them very stable and difficult to break down. Therefore, they are often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) is a specific type of PFAS. It is one of the most well-known and widely used PFAS substances. PFOS was previously used in many products such as firefighting foam, water-repellent coatings, and cleaning agents.
How dangerous are PFAS substances?
PFAS is problematic because even low levels of exposure can have long-term consequences for the environment and human health. PFAS has been linked to cancer development, reduced fertility and low birth weight, weakened immune response, liver damage, and increased cholesterol levels. The substances can accumulate in humans and animals due to their high mobility in the environment and resistance to degradation. In 2022, threshold values were significantly lowered as PFAS substances were found to be far more harmful than previously assumed.
Explore the Center’s Research
Get an overview and insight into the PFAS Center’s research.