The ALERT-PFAS project, funded by the Interreg Sudoe programme, has successfully completed two key field sampling campaigns to address PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in Portugal and France. These campaigns are part of ongoing efforts to assess the presence of these pollutants in the environment and to find innovative solutions for their detection and remediation.
The first campaign was conducted in Serra da Estrela, Portugal, a region devastated by forest fires in 2024. During this study, researchers from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa collected water samples in natural areas to assess PFAS levels in water bodies. The campaign aims to provide crucial information on how fires and other human activities may be affecting water quality and local ecosystems.
The second sampling campaign took place in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park, France. Researchers from the Université Clermont Auvergne, in collaboration with SDIS 34 and the park authorities, collected water samples from foams used by firefighters and from uniforms after recent firefighting operations. They also took water samples from springs in the Tarn valley to measure PFAS concentrations and their impact on the region’s natural resources.
Both campaigns are crucial steps in ALERT-PFAS’ mission to advance PFAS contamination detection and prevention technologies. These field studies not only provide valuable scientific information, but also strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and public services across the Sudoe region.