BERLIN, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The German government rejects a total ban on toxic "forever chemicals" found in many household and everyday items, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday.

Speaking at a chemical industry conference, Scholz said that where there are no alternatives, the use of so-called PFAS substances must remain possible, for example in the case of medical products, semiconductors and electrolysers.

Forever chemicals are used in thousands of products and machines, including drugs, cars, textiles and wind turbines due to their long-term resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion.

In February last year, the EU started to consider a ban of the substances, in what could become the bloc's most extensive piece of regulation of the chemical industry.

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https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/german-government-rejects-total-ban-forever-chemicals-says-scholz-2024-09-13/