5 months Ago
Companies and hotspots under scrutiny
Akkerman identified several PFAS hot spots in the Netherlands, from near Schiphol Airport to areas near landfills and plants like Chemours in Dordrecht. Chemours was penalised by the province of Zuid-Holland on Thursday for five lesser offences, which carried fines of 10,000 to 15,000 euros each per infraction. These ranged from improper storage of waste to poor record-keeping of backup systems.
These were the same concerns highlighted earlier this year by the DCMR, which checks companies on behalf of the province, which also warned that if the breaches continue, Chemours will be fined once more.
Health concerns and legal action
Those substances, known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have a reputation for not breaking down. They build up in the body over time and have been associated with significant health risks, including cancer, high cholesterol and reproductive issues.
Akkerman also advocated for a ban on PFAS in pesticides, as that's a direct way these chemicals enter the human body through food. The pesticides resorted to in agriculture were once again criticised by the Pesticide Action Network Nederland (PAN-NL). "It is simply unfathomable that PFAS pesticides continue to be sprayed on our food," the organisation said, adding that it might be too late for action.
Eleven parties, such as the Noord-Holland Nature and Environmental Federation, have brought cases against the Dutch state. Both pollution and its health consequences are the responsibility of the government, they say. "Unfortunately, we feel this is taking much too long," Akkerman said.
