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Wind turbines poison humans and animals: PFAS "eternity chemicals" and "nasty fibers" from rotor blades as an invisible time bomb 30. April 2026 by Dr. Peter F. Mayer 6.1 min read At advertising events, attempts are made to present the abrasion of rotor blades as harmless and minor, it consists only of "hardened synthetic resins (e.g. polyester and epoxy resin)" and amounts to only a few grams. The glass fibers or carbon fibers contained therein, known as "nasty fibers," are embezzled, as are the PFAS-containing coatings. And the quantities are understated. The official narrative is simple: wind power is clean, green and without alternative. Anyone who doubts this "energy transition" is quickly put in the corner of the enemy of progress. But behind the shiny façade of the rotors lies a technological and ecological problem that is systematically played down by politicians and industry. It's about the creeping poisoning of our environment through abrasion: PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) and the so-called "nasty fibers". Here's one of the wind industry's claims: The wind turbines are located in the middle of agricultural or forestry areas, the abrasion is distributed directly there as ours grows and livestock and wild animals are looking for food. At the Bremerhaven site, Fraunhofer IWES offers the entire range of mechanical tests on rotor blade structures. Fraunhofer IWES writes about abrasion in its brochure: "The rotor blade tips of a wind turbine reach a speed of over 300 km/h in full-load operation. Even minor damage causes selective roughening of the surfaces, which reduces the yield and impairs the profitability and service life of the entire turbine." The "small damages" become big ones over time and sometimes the leading edges of rotor blades look like this: The invisible toxic load: PFAS in rotor blades and lubricants The state-of-the-art rotor blades are not simple plastic parts. To make them weather-resistant and aerodynamically efficient, coatings are applied to the surfaces, often containing PFAS. These "forever chemicals" are known to be barely degradable in nature and accumulate in the human body as well as in the food chain. When the blades are eroded by wind, rain and sand at speeds of up to 400 km/h on the front and rear sides of the rotor blades, these toxic particles are released into the atmosphere and distributed over wide areas. We are not talking about a theoretical danger here, but about a massive, continuous emission of micro- and nanoparticles directly into our habitats. The presence of PFAS in wind infrastructure is not an accidental by-product; it is a fundamental part of the durability and maintenance of this technology. Sheet coatings: Wind turbine blades are exposed to extreme environmental stresses, including rapid erosion from rain, ice and dirt. To withstand these stresses, they are coated with sophisticated polymers, often containing PFAS (such as fluoropolymers) to provide the necessary hydrophobic, anti-icing and UV-resistant properties. Weathering and degradation: Because these massive rotor blades rotate for years, they are subject to mechanical wear. The coating system degrades and releases micro- and nano-sized particles of these fluoropolymers directly into the surrounding atmosphere and soil. Maintenance and lubrication: Industrial gearboxes and bearing systems in the nacelles require high-performance lubricants and hydraulic fluids. Many of these specialized industrial chemicals are based on PFAS compounds to remain stable under high friction and thermal loads. Through leaks or intentional draining during maintenance cycles, these "forever chemicals" enter the local ecosystem. "Nasty fibers": The danger from within In addition to the chemical additives, the basic structure of the blades is usually made of glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP). When the material is worn down by the relentless mechanical stress, these fine glass and plastic particles are released into the environment. Researchers have begun to investigate the effects on marine ecosystems, for example on the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). Initial research shows that the abrasion is not only a physical nuisance, but also promotes an accumulation of metals such as barium and chromium. Science is already warning of possible long-term disorders of the metabolism and the endocrine system (hormonal balance) – both in animals and potentially in humans, who consume these organisms. A recent review by Hengstmann et al. (2025) in Marine Pollution Bulletin lists over 200 potential chemical emissions from offshore wind farms – including numerous PFAS compounds from coatings and anodes. The authors emphasize that varnishes and coatings of rotor blades are among the main sources. A system under pressure: health effects The debate about wind power is often reduced to noise and "infrasound" in order to limit the discussion. But the symptoms reported by people near wind farms — from sleep disturbances and headaches to depression and cognitive dysfunction — can't simply be dismissed as "imagination" or the "nocebo effect," according to the Health Effects Study, NIH/PMC. The combination of physical stress from noise and the chemical stress from the continuous release of abrasion particles creates a toxicological environment that has hardly been independently researched so far. Institutions such as the NIH often point to the lack of a "direct causal link", but this is precisely where the problem lies: If you don't look for the right substances, you won't find them. The systemic trivialization is strongly reminiscent of the tobacco or asbestos industry of past decades, in which "no scientific evidence" was also found for a long time while the population was already getting sick. Time for transparency instead of propaganda We are experiencing a classic form of regulatory imprisonment here. The interests of the wind energy lobby and the political agenda of "climate neutrality" prevent an open-ended investigation of the long-term health risks. It's time for us to: Independent measurements of particle abrasion in the vicinity of wind farms are required. Systematically check the PFAS contamination in soils and waters around wind farms. Stop discrediting citizens' legitimate health concerns as "ideologically motivated". The energy transition must not be carried out on the back of health – neither humans nor animals. If you are looking for the truth behind the rotors, you have to take your eyes off the marketing brochures and turn to the microscopic residues that rain down on our fields and in our lungs every day.