First-Ever Air Study Reveals PFAS Presence in Lyon Region
Lyon, April 13 – For the first time in France, a study conducted by the Atmo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes observatory has confirmed the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as 'forever chemicals,' in the ambient air around Lyon and Pierre-Bénite. While PFAS contamination in soil and water has been well-documented, this new research marks a significant step in understanding the extent of their environmental presence.
The observatory initiated this pioneering research in February 2025, aiming to develop a method for estimating PFAS levels in breathable air. The initial investigations were carried out in the Lyon basin between October 2023 and December 2025, specifically in central Lyon and Pierre-Bénite. Pierre-Bénite is an urban site known to be under the industrial influence of fluoropolymer producers located north of the measurement site.
In total, 38 different PFAS compounds were analyzed, both in particulate and gaseous phases. The selection of these compounds was based on those typically sought in water measurements or identified in industrial emissions, according to the observatory.
Significant Disparities in Concentrations
The study's findings indicate a clear presence of PFAS, but with 'significantly different proportions' depending on the environment. In central Lyon, air concentrations averaged around 25 pg/m³ during the measurement period. In stark contrast, Pierre-Bénite recorded an average concentration of 244 pg/m³ over the same period, with peaks reaching up to 1,280 pg/m³. This area hosts the facilities of two major industrial companies, Arkema and Daikin, which have been implicated in PFAS pollution south of Lyon.
PFAS are a family of over 4,700 synthetic molecules produced by humans since the 1940s. Their unique physicochemical properties – resistance to intense heat, acids, water, and grease – make them ubiquitous in a wide range of consumer products and industrial applications. These include textiles, food packaging, cosmetics, non-stick pans, fire-fighting foams, waterproofing agents, floor waxes, varnishes, and paints. Their widespread use, coupled with their slow degradation, leads to their omnipresence in the environment, particularly in waterways. They are termed 'forever chemicals' because they can persist in the environment for decades, even centuries. The Rhône River, from downstream Lyon to the Mediterranean, is particularly affected by this pollution. Scientific literature suggests that perfluorinated compounds may promote cancer in humans and impair children's immune defenses.
The molecules PFHxA and 6:2FTS were found at 'higher levels than other compounds' (averaging 61% in central Lyon and 88% in Pierre-Bénite of the total sample mass), as specified by Atmo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. PFOA and PFOS, whose use has been banned since 2009 and 2020 respectively due to their classification as carcinogens, were also detected but in 'much smaller proportions (approximately 2%).' The observatory notes that PFOA, PFOS, PFHxA, and 6:2 FTS have a lifespan of several years, explaining their continued presence.
While incinerators and wastewater treatment plants can also influence ambient air measurements, their concentration levels at discharge points are 'up to 100 times lower than those of fluoropolymer manufacturers.'
Call for Vigilance and Further Research
Atmo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes emphasizes in its report that a reference sampling method for airborne PFAS does not yet exist, and the current number of available results is limited (17 samples for central Lyon and 26 for Pierre-Bénite).
The observatory urges 'vigilance,' stating that these findings are not 'representative' of residents' overall exposure, but 'provide very valuable, previously unavailable information.' Collaborative work with the National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS), as part of an inter-ministerial plan to establish a reference method and contribute to an AFNOR standard, 'should enable the validation of a sampling protocol, and subsequently the deployment of new measurements in the region,' the observatory concluded.
