Zwijndrecht –
The 3M factory in Zwijndrecht operates in full accordance with the environmental permit. The company said so in a statement. According to 3M, the substance FBSA is indeed present in wastewater from certain production processes, but it is said to be in low concentrations with no indication of toxicity.
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3M operates with an environmental permit obtained in accordance with applicable law and in consultation with the appropriate authorities, the company said on Tuesday. “The environmental permit was renewed in 2020, and sets limits for substances for which the law prescribes a limit.”
3M does not manufacture FBSA, the company states. “However, FBSA is present in low concentrations in the treated wastewater from certain production processes. The treated wastewater is strictly monitored and there is no indication of acute or chronic toxicity at these low concentrations.”
On Tuesday afternoon, 3M came to explain during a hearing of the environmental inspectorate. “No immediate measures were imposed after the hearing,” the company said. On Wednesday, the inspection will still be together with Flemish Minister for the Environment Zuhal Demir (N-VA), after which actions against the company can still follow.
3M says it will continue to work with authorities and is taking steps to work as safely as possible. “We are investing in the further expansion of our state-of-the-art water purification system with techniques such as reverse osmosis, activated carbon filters, ion exchange and other technologies.”
However, 3M was unable to answer all questions during the hearing, the Environment Department said on Tuesday evening. “As a result of the hearing, the Environmental Inspectorate has requested additional information from the company,” it sounds. “Because there are still questions, a coordinated enforcement action (Environmental Inspectorate, VMM and OVAM) is planned at 3M tomorrow.”
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