Calls for PFAS filters in schools rejected

Ministers have rejected calls for air and water filters to be set up in schools and public buildings.

A total of 1,146 people signed a petition asking for the regular monitoring, maintenance and funding of the filters which remove PFAS, which are also known as forever chemicals because they take a long time to break down.

In a response to the petition, ministers insisted the island's mains water was regularly tested by Jersey Water and was "safe, with PFAS levels below UK/EU guidelines".

The response added: "As schools and public buildings use the same monitored supply, PFAS air or water filtration is not considered necessary."

In the 1990s, foam containing PFAS leaked into private borehole water supplies after being used on the fire training ground at Jersey Airport.

Last year, it emerged the area affected by the chemicals, which have previously been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, was larger than initially thought.

Jersey Water said local water was "safe to drink" but agreed the island needed a framework to manage PFAS.

The petition said: "All children deserve equal protection, whoever they are and wherever they are, especially where they drink water."

But the government's response said any further treatment should be considered "only where there is clear evidence of need".

It noted there would be "practical, environmental and financial implications" from installing treatment systems across schools and other buildings.

It also said while PFAS can be present in indoor dust and air, "there is currently no recommendation or recognised standard that would support a requirement for such systems in schools and public buildings".

The government said it would "continue to maintain comprehensive monitoring of the public water supply" and consider further measures where evidence demonstrates they might be necessary.

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