After studying previous research, RIVM concludes that people in the Netherlands ingest too much of the harmful PFAS through food and drinking water.
PFAS is a collective term for such a four thousand chemicals that are difficult to degrade in the environment. For example, PFAS is used in the non-stick coating in pans and to make rainwear waterproof.
More harmful
from research shows that PFAS is more harmful to health than previously thought. “If people ingest small amounts of PFAS over a long period of time, this can have a negative effect on the immune system,” RIVM now says. “The immune system protects the body against diseases. If that works less well, people can get sick more quickly or more often. It is impossible to say to what extent health effects actually occur.”
People who grow fruit and vegetables within a kilometer of the chemical companies Chemours in Dordrecht and Custom Powders in Helmond should therefore not eat those products. The new knowledge about the substances was the reason for RIVM to review the previous recommendations.
In 2018 RIVM concluded that the products from vegetable gardens around Chemours could be eaten, but in limited quantities. And in 2019 it came to the same conclusion for crops from the Sluisdijk allotment complex in Helmond.
Tap water safe
RIVM is now working on a European project for the production of PFAS on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. “But because the fabrics are very break down slowly, they will remain in our environment for years to come.”
Because PFAS is found in so many different foods, there’s little people can do to avoid it. RIVM recommends that you continue to drink tap water and eat a varied diet, “even if you ingest small amounts of PFAS”. RIVM advises the ministry to adjust the standards for PFAS in tap water and to reduce the quantities where possible.
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