From a SEVEN perspective, PFAS is not a separate environmental issue but part of the broader system transformation required for a just and sustainable future. PFAS pollution and climate change stem from the same structural patterns: fossil-based production systems, linear material use, and the externalisation of environmental and health risks. Sectors that are central to climate transitions—such as healthcare—are also major sources of persistent chemical pollution. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent “forever chemicals” that pose serious risks to environmental and human health due to their extreme resistance to degradation. While phasing out PFAS is a growing regulatory and public health priority, a substantial share of PFAS pollution—estimated at around one third—originates from the medical sector. Despite increasing awareness and emerging regulations, critical knowledge gaps remain about which medical products and applications contain PFAS and to what extent they can be safely substituted with sustainable, safe-by-design alternatives. These gaps hinder the development of effective policy, innovation, and transition strategies to reduce PFAS emissions. 

Working with Amsterdam UMC as a living lab, the project will systematically identify PFAS-containing medical products, assess their functional essentiality, and evaluate the availability and performance of safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) alternatives. By combining product-level analysis with institutional decision-making, the project will generate actionable insights for healthcare providers, regulators, and suppliers on how to phase out PFAS while safeguarding patient safety and care quality.  

Key research objectives include mapping PFAS use in medical tools, pharmaceuticals, and laboratories, assessing the feasibility of PFAS-free alternatives, and understanding barriers and facilitators to implementation.