Greenpeace: Huge PFAS pollution in sea foam on German coasts

12.02.2025 | Fundamental right

Greenpeace analysis of PFAS pollution in sea foam on German North and Baltic Sea coasts

Introduction

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are known as 'forever chemicals' because of their persistence in the environment. These man-made substances have been widely used in both industrial processes and consumer products because of their water, grease and heat resistant properties. Examples of applications are ski wax, water-repellent outdoor clothing, grease-resistant packaging such as pizza boxes and baking paper, and dirt-repellent treatments for carpets and car seats. PFAS are also popular in technical applications because of their chemical and thermal stability.

Despite these beneficial properties, PFAS harmful to both humans and the environmentThey do not break down in the environment (persistence), move easily (mobility) and can accumulate in living organisms (bioaccumulation). As a result, PFAS enter the human body through drinking water and food, such as fish, shellfish and vegetables, and lead to long-term health problems.

Since their introduction more than fifty years ago, PFAS have spread worldwide, especially in the production and processing of PFAS-containing waste these substances are released, after which they are found via air, water and soil even in remote areas and in people. The highest concentrations are usually measured near industrial pollution sources or at locations where PFAS-containing products such as fire-fighting foam have been used intensively.

New insights and research approach

Recent studies from Sweden and the Netherlands have shown that PFAS that reach the sea via rivers can return to land via sea foam and splashing foam. Because PFAS surfactants are, they concentrate in the foam on the coast. Studies on beaches in Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark have shown extremely high PFAS concentrations in sea foam. On the Danish west coast, for example, PFAS-4 concentrations (PFOA, PFNA, PFOS and PFHxS) ranged from 17,000 to 250,000 ng/L, well above the Danish limit value for bathing water of 40 ng/L.

This high concentrations increase the risk of exposure to PFAS through direct contact or incidental ingestion, especially in childrenIn addition, PFAS can contaminate soil and groundwater via the foam, and aerosols in coastal areas increase the risk of inhalation of these harmful substances.

Until recently, data on PFAS concentrations in sea foam were lacking in Germany, despite the presence of similar foam formation on the coasts. Greenpeace therefore took samples at popular German beaches in 2024 and 2025 to gain insight into the PFAS load.

Sampling and analysis methodology

The sampling took place in November 2024 at the North Sea and in January 2025 to the Baltic Sea, periods when windy conditions promote the formation of sea foam. Monsters were collected from the North Sea beaches of St. Peter Ording, Sylt and Norderney and from the Baltic Sea beaches of Kühlungsborn and Boltenhagen. A total of nine samples were collected.

It foam was scooped directly from the beach in PFAS-free polyethylene (PE) bags, which had previously been tested for contamination in the laboratory. Where possible, only foam was collected, without seawater. At some locations, such as Sylt and Boltenhagen, the foam was unstable and mixed more easily with seawater. In Kühlungsborn, both fresh and aged, stable foam was sampled.

The samples were kept refrigerated to allow the foam to dissolve in water, after which the liquid was transferred to pre-purified glass bottles and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The laboratory analysis was performed according to the DIN 38407-42:2011-03 standard and focused on 31 PFAS substances, including the PFAS-20 group that in the German Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV, 2023) is regulated.

Results of the analysis

The laboratory results showed that in all nine samples significant amounts of PFAS were present. Of the 31 substances tested, 14 were detected. Ten of these substances belong to the PFAS-20 group, with concentrations ranging from 18.1 ng/L (PFUnA) to 61,300 ng/L (PFOS).

In addition, alternative PFAS substances such as GenX and ADONA found, which are used industrially to replace the more regulated substances PFOA and PFOSDespite their alternative status, these substances exhibit similar environmental and health risks, such as persistence and mobility. The concentrations of these substitutes ranged from 24.3 to 1040 ng/L.

The four most studied and regulated PFAS substances (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA) were detected in all samples and formed at least 92% of the total PFAS loadThe highest concentrations were measured in aged foam from Kühlungsborn (KÜHL-A), with 161.349 ng/L for total PFAS. Fresh foam from Sylt Nord also showed high values (96,362 ng/L total PFAS), while the lowest level was found in a sample from Sylt Westerland (12,327 ng/L total PFAS).

Legal and environmental implications

There are currently no specific environmental quality standards for PFAS in sea foam, but the concentrations far exceed the existing limit values for drinking and bathing water. According to the German Drinking Water Ordinance, which will come into effect from 2026, a limit value of 100 ng/L applies for the PFAS-20 group and 20 ng/L for PFAS-4. The measured concentrations exceed these limits by factors ranging from 123 to 1,590 for PFAS-20 and from 580 to 7,555 for PFAS-4.

Compared to international standards, such as the Danish limit value of 40 ng/L for bathing water, the concentrations in German samples are up to almost 3,800 times higher. This raises serious questions about public health and environmental protection.

Conclusion and recommendations

This study is the first of its kind to investigate the presence of PFAS in sea foam on German coasts shows. The results confirm previous findings from the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium, and highlight sea foam as a important route of exposure for these harmful substances.

The detection of high concentrations of PFOS and PFOA, both known to pose serious health risks, is of particular concern. Contact with sea foam should be considered a significant route of exposure in addition to the already known sources such as contaminated food and drinking water.

Given the results, we recommend, following the advice of health authorities in the Netherlands (RIVM) and Denmark, to avoid contact with sea foam. This applies in particular to children and pets, who are extra susceptible to accidental ingestion. Showering after a visit to the beach is also recommended.

Finally, the findings underscore the need for stricter regulations and further monitoring of PFAS in the marine environment. Emissions of these persistent substances must be drastically reduced to prevent further damage to humans and nature.