Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) — often called “forever chemicals” — are a large group of synthetic compounds used for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Found in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, textiles, and industrial applications, these chemicals do not easily break down and can accumulate in the environment and human body.
Across Canada, PFAS have become a growing environmental and public health concern. Communities located near facilities with firefighting training areas, such as military bases and airports are increasingly discovering PFAS contamination in groundwater and private wells, raising questions about long-term exposure and private residential property impacts.
At Mann Lawyers LLP, our Environmental Law Group is closely following PFAS developments, regulatory updates, and government reports to help homeowners and communities understand their rights and explore potential legal remedies.
This page brings together key Canadian PFAS resources, including government reports, public advisories, and recent research, to help you stay informed.
Understanding PFAS: The Science & the Risk
Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada — Final State of PFAS Report (March 5, 2025)
- Report recommends designating PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers, as “toxic” under Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
- Report notes that many PFAS contaminated federal sites are in areas where local communities rely on private groundwater wells for drinking water
- Report states that despite PFAS being ubiquitous in the environment, certain locations—particularly sites where PFAS has been used, such as firefighting training areas—are considered “hot spots” where elevated PFAS levels may be present
- Report identifies the consumption of drinking water contaminated by PFAS migrating from impacted sites as a key pathway for human exposure to PFAS
- Report states that PFAS are difficult to remediate from contaminated sites and cannot be fully removed from the broader environment
- Report states that “people living in the vicinity of sites contaminated with PFAS (for example associated with the use of AFFF) may also be disproportionately exposed to higher levels of PFAS”
- Report highlights several key concerns regarding PFAS and human health, including significant health impacts linked to PFAS exposure, health effects at lower PFAS concentrations than previously understood, and impacts of bioaccumulation and long-term persistence of PFAS in the human body
PFAS in Canada: Current Ontario and Federal Guidelines
Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks — Overview of PFAS (September 14, 2021)
- Provides interim drinking water advice recommending that the combined level of 11 specific PFAS compounds in drinking water should not exceed 70 nanograms per litre (ng/L).
Health Canada Objective for Canadian Drinking Water Quality for PFAS (August 9, 2024)
- Updated Objective sets a “precautionary group-based” threshold of 30 ng/L for the sum of 25 specific PFAS, replacing previous drinking water guidelines that set screening values for only 9 individual PFAS
- Updated Objective states that PFAS concentrations in drinking water should be maintained “as low as reasonably achievable”
- Aims to minimize environmental and human exposure to PFAS as much as technically and economically feasible through a phased strategy approach
Environmental Impact of PFAS
Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory
- Identifies over 100 federal sites across all provinces and territories with confirmed or suspected PFAS contamination due to activities such as firefighting training
Recent PFAS News Coverage
CBC News — PFAS “Forever Chemical” Hotspots Map (May 15, 2025)
- Provides an interactive map pinpointing PFAS “hotspots” across Canada.
- Highlights areas where communities relying on private groundwater wells are located near PFAS-contaminated sites.
Learn More About PFAS Class Actions
To understand how PFAS contamination impacts property owners and how Mann Lawyers is supporting affected communities that pursuing legal action, visit our PFAS “Forever Chemicals Environmental Class Actions Lawsuit page.
For further insights, explore our PFAS-focused blog series, including:
