PFAS in sea foam

NLGA information as of May 2024

What do I need to know about sea foam?

Sea foam is formed naturally when proteins, gelatin and other components from dead algae (e.g. Phaeocystis) are whipped up by waves.

What does naturally occurring foam look like?

Sea foam has a yellowish to brownish color. It can smell earthy or fishy. Sea foam can be found on coasts, among other places.

What do I need to know about sea foam that contains PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated chemicals)?

Sea foam can also contain PFAS. The amount of PFAS in sea foam varies greatly depending on location and time, but it is still unclear what influences the PFAS concentration in sea foam.

How can PFAS in sea foam get into my body?

• By oral ingestion/swallowing the foam.
• PFAS does not penetrate directly through the skin.

How can I protect my health?

As a precaution:

• Do not play in or with sea foam.
• Do not put sea foam in your mouth or swallow it.
• If sea foam is accidentally swallowed, the absorption of PFAS is very low and there is no health risk.
• After a day at the beach: shower your body, wash your hands, especially before eating.

Are there also PFAS in the sea?

Due to the ubiquitous distribution of PFAS, they can also be found in seawater. However, the concentration of PFAS in seawater is highly diluted and therefore many times lower than in sea foam.

Can I still swim, bathe and play in sea water?

Due to the very low concentration of PFAS in the sea, swimming, bathing and playing in sea water do not pose a health risk.

Where can I find more information about PFAS?

Further information on PFAS can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection at:
https://www.bmuv.de/faqs/per-und-polyfluorierte-chemikalien-pfas

Imprint

Editors:
Lower Saxony State Health Office
Roesebeckstr. 4 - 6, 30449 Hanover
Phone: 0511/4505-0, Fax: 0511/4505-140

www.nlga.niedersachsen.de

May 2024