The Map of Forever Pollution - The Forever Pollution Project

The Forever Pollution Project, led by Le Monde and a coalition of European outlets, maps PFAS contamination across Europe. The investigation identified nearly 23,000 confirmed sites and a further 21,500 presumptive sites linked to current or past industrial activity, illustrating how forever chemicals permeate the continent. The map was last updated on 6 November 2023, with an enhanced version built by the PFAS Data Hub at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS); inquiries can be directed to pdh.cnrs@proton.me. The project began with Le Monde, NDR, WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany), Le Scienze (Italy), The Investigative Desk and NRC (Netherlands), and expanded with many partners, supported by Journalismfund.eu and IJ4EU, and Arena for Journalism in Europe.

Scope and findings

The Forever Pollution Map reveals PFAS contamination across Europe, with nearly 23,000 confirmed sites and an additional 21,500 presumptive sites linked to current or past industrial activity, highlighting widespread exposure to forever chemicals.

https://foreverpollution.eu/map/

Data updates and accessibility

The dataset was last updated on 6 November 2023. An updated map is maintained by the PFAS Data Hub at CNRS, and inquiries can be directed to pdh.cnrs@proton.me.

Origins and collaboration

The cross-border investigation originated with Le Monde and partner outlets, including NDR, WDR, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Le Scienze, The Investigative Desk and NRC, with continued collaboration across Europe and support from Arena for Journalism in Europe, funded by Journalismfund.eu and IJ4EU.

Implications and access

The project demonstrates the scale of PFAS pollution in Europe and provides data for researchers, policy makers and the public, with map access through the CNRS PFAS Data Hub.