DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

25 July 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Government faces legal action over “forever chemical” failings

April 25, 2024
An aerial drone view of an industrial installation that produces PFAS. Photo: Depositphotos.com

Eleven campaign groups, including the fire brigade union, have joined forces to take the government to court for failing to prevent pollution from chemical compounds known as PFAS.

The case, due to start on August 7, says the government has “failed in its duty of care for Dutch citizens, animals and the environment by showing major shortcomings in protecting them against PFAS pollution”. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) do not occur in the environment naturally but are found in various products, including non-stick coatings and food packaging materials. They are also used in pesticides.

The case marks the first time the government has faced legal action in connection with the forever chemicals but not the first mass case to focus on PFAS. 

Last year lawyer Bénédicte Ficq opened legal proceedings against all managers of Teflon factory Chemours since 1962 for allegedly knowingly releasing PFAS into the environment for years.

Ficq is representing at least 2,700 complainants who support the accusation of “deliberate and illegal” pollution of groundwater, air and soil, specifically through releasing the carcinogens PFOA and GenX.

Dordrecht, where Chemours is located, and nearby Sliedrecht, Papendrecht and Molenlanden have also started proceedings against Chemours, for damage done to the environment by the discharge of PFAS.

Earlier this year it emerged that PFAS-contaminated eggs are being found far away from the Dordrecht region where the chemical factory Chemours is based, suggesting pollution with the complex group of harmful chemicals is much more widespread than previously thought.

The EU plans to stop the use of PFAS chemicals in many industries but not their inclusion in pesticides.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Court cases Environment Pollution
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
MPs call for cabinet statement on Gaza as pressure mounts
Energy poverty rose sharply in 2024 as government support ended
39 "foreigners", 107 locals drowned in Dutch waters last year
Weekend weather: dry spells, some sunshine and some showers
Leiden microbiologists develop "poo pill" to treat gut disorders
NewsHomeEconomyPoliticsArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now