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A broad medical analysis raises concerns about the health of residents of the Zwijndrecht site. The political world increases the pressure on the company.
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Blood tests performed on nearly 800 residents of Zwijndrecht living within a three kilometer radius of the 3M factory showed that 59% had too much PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) in the blood, said the Flemish Agency for Care and Health.
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According to the researchers, exceeding these values does not mean that there is an immediate health risk. However, long-term effects cannot be ruled out.
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Minister Demir called on 3M to prove that it does not expose residents to additional risks, under penalty of having to stop production.
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Furthermore, only 9% of the people tested present “safe” rates compared to the reference values, reveal the samples. On average, higher values were measured in those living closer to the 3M plant, although other risk factors were identified.
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PFOS are chemicals classified as endocrine disruptors. An old pollution with these substances was discovered a few months ago in and around the 3M plant in Zwijndrecht following infrastructure works.
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Demir raise his voice
Following the publication of these results, the so-called “no regret” (no regrets in French), that restrict the sale of commercial agricultural products, are extended and widened, the agency also announced. The radius in which vulnerable people must not consume locally grown vegetables has been extended to three kilometers.
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These new developments prompted the Flemish Minister for the Environment, Zuhal Demir (N-VA) to raise the tone. She called on the 3M company to prove that it does not expose residents to additional risks, under penalty of having to stop production.
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