PFAS: the reason that hobby chicken eggs are dangerous to your health

This article is published on the Weeffouten website. Amsterdam, 30 January 2024 – PFAS, the “forever chemical”, is now everywhere: in our food, in the water and even in the eggs of backyard chickens. How did it come to this? Transparency International Netherlands (TI-NL) is searching for the root causes of this problem within the framework of its project "weeffouten in de democratie" (systemic flaws in democracy). In 2023, the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) investigated how the government deals with emissions from three polluting companies, including Chemours, a user of PFAS. The OVV concluded that the Dutch government does not sufficiently protect citizens against emissions from polluting industry. Emissions of PFAS and the role of the company Chemours reached a peak after Zembla revealed in 2023 that the chemical giant had known for more than three decades that they were seriously polluting groundwater in the area with PFAS. However, Chemours decided not to conduct additional research. The reason: finding PFAS would “only cost more money”. In 2003, it is established that the pollution has only increased. Clean-up is again deemed “financially and technically unfeasible”. Following, among other things, the revelations of Zembla and the subsequent media storm, the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) conducted an investigation into the approach to emissions from polluting industry. There is also an EU procedure underway to ban PFAS, with both the multi-billion industry and local action groups presenting their interests in Brussels. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is an umbrella term for thousands of substances that make products water- or grease-repellent. The problem with these substances is that they hardly degrade, if at all, and therefore accumulate in both the human body and the environment. Even at low concentrations, PFAS is harmful to the immune system and hormone balance, while high exposure to the substances can even be carcinogenic, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Focus must shift from permits to emissions Responsibility for monitoring compliance with health standards lies with the government. In its report “industry and local residents”, the OVV states that a complete picture of emissions is often lacking because the government does not systematically measure emissions. In addition, the OVV emphasises that both companies and governments focus too much on permits, and too little on the damage of actual emissions. Issued permits are also not always adequate. As a result, excessive exposure to harmful substances can still occur, even if a company complies with the permit. This finding is not new. Earlier, the Netherlands Court of Audit concluded that some environmental services hardly have their data in order. In addition, action is only taken by the government after pressure is exerted by local residents and local action groups. This reactive approach does not contribute to trust in the government. The OVV also points out that media attention is the primary reason for political involvement in the Chemours file. Only after political involvement is attention paid to fulfilling responsibilities and duties. The damage is often already done by then. This makes the files extra complicated because a clean-up task is added and a possible compensation scheme must be established once damage has also been legally proven. Will there be a ban on PFAS? For the first time, there seems to be momentum in protecting citizens against the harmful effects of PFAS. In February 2023, the RIVM and four other European health authorities published a proposal for a total ban on the production, import and sale of all products containing PFAS. Manufacturers are resisting this, and Chemours, among others, has hired lobby firm FTI to set up a lobbying strategy, according to research by NRC. At the same time, the company is trying to mobilise all its customers, from car manufacturers to electronics companies, to convince Brussels of the indispensability of PFAS. The primary goal of these arguments is to prevent or delay an EU-wide ban on PFAS. Chemours encourages its customers and trade associations to emphasise that PFAS is safe and that these substances are indeed degradable and non-toxic. They provide two scientific articles to support these arguments. Striking detail: according to the NRC, the co-authors of both articles are Chemours employees. Although they are at a major disadvantage compared to large companies, citizen action groups are also making their voices heard in Brussels. The local action group ‘Gezondheid voor Alles’ from Sliedrecht has been opposing further emissions of PFAS by Chemours for years. One of the founders of the action group states that the chemical lobby wants a transition period of 12 to 15 years before the ban on PFAS takes effect. This was the main reason they travelled to the European Parliament last month to counter the PFAS lobby. In talks with MEPs, Gezondheid voor Alles argues for a significantly shorter transition period than the lobby has in mind. It remains to be seen whether they, who have suffered the burden of PFAS for years, will find a listening ear in politics.

This article is published on the Weeffouten website.

Amsterdam, 30 January 2024 – PFAS, the “forever chemical”, is now everywhere: in our food, in the water and even in the eggs of backyard chickens. How did it come to this? Transparency International Netherlands (TI-NL) is searching for the root causes of this problem within the framework of its project "weeffouten in de democratie" (systemic flaws in democracy). In 2023, the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) investigated how the government deals with emissions from three polluting companies, including Chemours, a user of PFAS. The OVV concluded that the Dutch government does not sufficiently protect citizens against emissions from polluting industry.

Emissions of PFAS and the role of the company Chemours reached a peak after Zembla revealed in 2023 that the chemical giant had known for more than three decades that they were seriously polluting groundwater in the area with PFAS. However, Chemours decided not to conduct additional research. The reason: finding PFAS would “only cost more money”. In 2003, it is established that the pollution has only increased. Clean-up is again deemed “financially and technically unfeasible”. Following, among other things, the revelations of Zembla and the subsequent media storm, the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) conducted an investigation into the approach to emissions from polluting industry. There is also an EU procedure underway to ban PFAS, with both the multi-billion industry and local action groups presenting their interests in Brussels.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is an umbrella term for thousands of substances that make products water- or grease-repellent. The problem with these substances is that they hardly degrade, if at all, and therefore accumulate in both the human body and the environment. Even at low concentrations, PFAS is harmful to the immune system and hormone balance, while high exposure to the substances can even be carcinogenic, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

Focus must shift from permits to emissions

Responsibility for monitoring compliance with health standards lies with the government. In its report “industry and local residents”, the OVV states that a complete picture of emissions is often lacking because the government does not systematically measure emissions. In addition, the OVV emphasises that both companies and governments focus too much on permits, and too little on the damage of actual emissions. Issued permits are also not always adequate. As a result, excessive exposure to harmful substances can still occur, even if a company complies with the permit.

This finding is not new. Earlier, the Netherlands Court of Audit concluded that some environmental services hardly have their data in order. In addition, action is only taken by the government after pressure is exerted by local residents and local action groups. This reactive approach does not contribute to trust in the government. The OVV also points out that media attention is the primary reason for political involvement in the Chemours file. Only after political involvement is attention paid to fulfilling responsibilities and duties. The damage is often already done by then. This makes the files extra complicated because a clean-up task is added and a possible compensation scheme must be established once damage has also been legally proven.

Will there be a ban on PFAS?

For the first time, there seems to be momentum in protecting citizens against the harmful effects of PFAS. In February 2023, the RIVM and four other European health authorities published a proposal for a total ban on the production, import and sale of all products containing PFAS. Manufacturers are resisting this, and Chemours, among others, has hired lobby firm FTI to set up a lobbying strategy, according to research by NRC. At the same time, the company is trying to mobilise all its customers, from car manufacturers to electronics companies, to convince Brussels of the indispensability of PFAS.

The primary goal of these arguments is to prevent or delay an EU-wide ban on PFAS. Chemours encourages its customers and trade associations to emphasise that PFAS is safe and that these substances are indeed degradable and non-toxic. They provide two scientific articles to support these arguments. Striking detail: according to the NRC, the co-authors of both articles are Chemours employees.

Although they are at a major disadvantage compared to large companies, citizen action groups are also making their voices heard in Brussels. The local action group ‘Gezondheid voor Alles’ from Sliedrecht has been opposing further emissions of PFAS by Chemours for years. One of the founders of the action group states that the chemical lobby wants a transition period of 12 to 15 years before the ban on PFAS takes effect. This was the main reason they travelled to the European Parliament last month to counter the PFAS lobby. In talks with MEPs, Gezondheid voor Alles argues for a significantly shorter transition period than the lobby has in mind. It remains to be seen whether they, who have suffered the burden of PFAS for years, will find a listening ear in politics.

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