PFAS hidden risks in industrial real estate
Understanding Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
On 3 February 2026, the UK Government published its inaugural ‘PFAS Plan’ setting the stage for a more proactive stance on the research, monitoring and regulation of PFAS. Will this landmark policy paper and emerging global trends reshape the industrial real estate sector?
Here’s what property owners, investors, and operators need to know:
What are PFAS?
PFAS, often dubbed ‘forever chemicals’, comprise more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals used for their resistance to heat, water and oil. Their durability, however, comes with a cost. PFAS persist in both the environment and human body, accumulating over time and resisting breakdown due to their robust carbon-fluorine bonds. Linked to liver, kidney, immune and reproductive issues, and classified as carcinogenic, PFAS represent a growing health concern that cannot be ignored.
Where are PFAS found?
These chemicals permeate a vast array of products including textiles, furniture, electronics, semiconductors, printing facilities, firefighting foams, plastics, coatings, and much more. PFAS hotspots typically include sites where these substances are manufactured or used in bulk, but contamination is far-reaching, affecting soil, groundwater and surface water at and near industrial sites, airports, fire training grounds and landfills.
Why should industrial funds take notice?
Global regulatory scrutiny is intensifying. While the UK has yet to impose a blanket ban, restrictions on certain PFAS substances are in place and the recent PFAS Plan signals further reviews are imminent.
Environmental guideline values exist for select PFAS compounds, but this space is rapidly evolving, thresholds will likely tighten as scientific knowledge expands. Investors face mounting litigation risks and reputational hazards tied to contaminated sites, with PFAS liabilities threatening asset valuations.
