The regulation is expected to take effect by the end of summer. Associations will have six weeks to review the rule and raise objections. Goldschmidt emphasized that the so-called forever chemicals are now detectable everywhere in the north.
Specifically, the minister plans to immediately ban 19 PFAS-containing pesticides for which alternatives already exist. For eight other substances, a transition period until 2035 is planned. The ban applies to all 38 water protection areas in the state. According to the ministry, the affected farmland accounts for 2.3 percent of the total arable land.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are difficult to break down and accumulate in the environment, food chain, and humans. Since drinking water in Schleswig-Holstein is sourced entirely from groundwater, the ministry says PFAS cannot be removed with reasonable effort during treatment.
Source: www.ndr.de
