Finland

Overview of Risk Reduction Approaches

Finland addresses risk reduction of certain PFAS through EU regulations. Actions have been largely concentrated on PFOS phase-out and the risks related to its alternatives. There is no PFOS production in Finland. Finland has conducted a survey on the use of PFOS and related substances as well as their alternatives in metal plating.

In the past, the largest open application in Finland is assumed to have been the use of PFOS containing firefighting foams (inventory established in 2006 and 2008), which has been prohibited since 2011. Consequently, Finland has carried out a screening study on the possible sites with ground water and surface water contamination from use of AFFF with a view to evaluate the possible risk on drinking water supplies. A proposal of a limit value for PFOS in drinking water is under consideration. Finland has also done sporadic screening of PFAS compounds in fish since 2009 and surface and ground waters since 2014. Voluntary awareness raising campaigns to representatives of various sectors has also been accomplished.

Table with Key Elements of Risk Reduction Approaches

Action	Path taken	BEPs Implemented	Category of PFASss addressed	Articles covered?	Life cycle stage(s) addressed	Method of approach	Public- private partnership encouraged?	Level of constraint
See European Union actions
Screening of PFASs in the environment	Continuous screening	Not relevant	Primarily PFOS and PFOA	Not relevant	Discharges from all life cycles are addressed	Analysis	No	None
Screening of PFAS polluted soil at airport fire drill sites	Screening/Risk assessments	No	PFOS and other relevant PFASs	No	End use	Anlysis/ voluntary		None
Mapping of uses of PFOS and the alternatives on the hard metal plating	Survey	Not relevant	PFOS and its salts	No	Use in the production	Interview		None