United Nations Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights issued a global call for input on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, to inform a 2026 thematic report to the UN Human Rights Council. An independent expert appointed under the UN Special Procedures system, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 54/10. The initiative focuses on the growing human rights implications of PFAS, a highly persistent and bioaccumulative class of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer applications. Due to their resistance to degradation, PFAS remain in the environment for decades or longer, contaminating water, food chains, soil, and household environments. Scientific evidence links exposure to certain PFAS with cancers, immune suppression, endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental harm, and reduced vaccine effectiveness. PFAS have been detected in human blood globally, including in pregnant women and children, raising concerns about intergenerational impacts. The Special Rapporteur highlights that PFAS contamination threatens multiple human rights, including the rights to health, physical integrity, safe drinking water and sanitation, a healthy environment, and safe and healthy working conditions. The impacts disproportionately affect low-income communities, developing countries, Indigenous Peoples, and workers, raising significant environmental justice concerns and reinforcing global inequalities in the chemicals economy. The call seeks inputs on exposure pathways, adverse impacts, ethical and legal responsibilities of producers and States, transboundary movements of PFAS and PFAS-containing waste, existing regulatory responses, and access to justice and accountability. The resulting report aims to identify regulatory gaps and provide recommendations to strengthen human rightsbased approaches to managing PFAS and preventing future harms. Comments By Date:09/Jan/2026
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