PFOA maps suggest contamination could cover twice the known area

Preliminary maps suggest that land potentially affected by PFOA in Altötting district could cover up to 380 square kilometres, double the area previously identified. The maps were released by the district authority after a court ruling, BR reported.

PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, is a cancer-causing “forever chemical”. The newly mapped areas could include parts of Altötting, Neuötting, Polling, Garching and Reischach. The boundaries are not final, and further investigations are needed. Contamination cannot be ruled out beyond the marked areas.

The maps indicate where PFOA in soil could potentially affect groundwater. They do not show whether direct contact with the soil poses a health risk or whether food grown there is contaminated.

PFOA was used for decades at Gendorf

PFOA was produced and used for decades at the Gendorf chemical park, with its use ending in 2008. The chemical entered the environment and contaminated soil and groundwater in the region. Dyneon, then a subsidiary of US company 3M, was among the companies involved.

PFOA belongs to the PFAS group of chemicals, which break down very slowly in the environment. It was used in products including water- and grease-repellent materials and firefighting foams. Its production and use have since stopped at Gendorf, and it is now banned across the EU.

Dispute over the release of data

The publication of the maps followed a legal dispute over newer PFOA measurements held by Dyneon. The citizens’ initiative Network Drinking Water, known as BINT, sought access to the data, which the district authority had not been allowed to publish. Dyneon had challenged their release.

In late October, the Munich Administrative Court proposed a settlement under which BINT would receive the raw data and Dyneon would submit a new analysis and an expert report by the end of January 2027. The company rejected the proposal. On Wednesday, the court ruled that the district authority could publish the preliminary maps. Dyneon did not comment on the ruling when contacted by BR.

Landowners and municipalities consider claims

Potential contamination could bring costs for landowners. BINT says it wants to help private individuals pursue possible claims against the companies responsible, including for reduced property values, soil testing and the disposal of contaminated earth.

The issue has gained urgency following the sale of Dyneon. 3M sold the company to Swiss investment firm Capmont in summer 2026 but remains responsible for certain obligations linked to past PFOA contamination. A legal deadline for securing possible claims against 3M falls at the end of the year.

The city of Burghausen is preparing a lawsuit against Dyneon, initially seeking about one million euros for costs already incurred, mainly for testing and disposing of contaminated soil. It also wants to secure possible further claims of up to 100 million euros against 3M. Neuötting and Altötting district plan legal action, while Burgkirchen is considering a possible lawsuit.

The Bavarian Farmers’ Association is also working with the Maschinenring, a farmers’ self-help organisation, to help owners of agricultural land secure possible claims against 3M. The association is working with a law firm on the effort.