The Dutch state is acting within the law in its work on preventing the spread of chemicals known as PFAS, judges in The Hague ruled on Wednesday, in a case brought by five environmental groups.

The five environment and clean water campaign groups said they were holding the state responsible for the spread of PFAS pollution and its impact on health. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they take so long to break down.

The groups want the the state to stop issuing PFAS discharge licences, map existing pollution and begin clean-up operations. They argue the government had failed in its duty of care and asked the court to recognise the fundamental right to a healthy living environment.

But the court said it is up to the government to decide how to tackle the PFAS problem and that the measures being taken are “appropriate and sufficient”.

In addition, the situation is extremely complex, involving housing construction, waste processing and the production of drinking water, and “it is not up to the courts to dictate the choices that have to be made”, the judges said.

There is currently no complete overview of where PFAS pollution exists in the Netherlands and dozens of companies have refused to cooperate with research projects.

At the same time, research by public health body RIVM suggests almost everyone in the Netherlands has too much PFAS in their blood. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are cancer-causing and found in various products, including non-stick coatings and food packaging materials. They are also used in pesticides.

Research by the Financieele Dagblad and Investico last year suggested that cleaning up PFAS pollution in the Netherlands is set to cost billions of euros, given the “forever chemicals” could be present in up to 1,000 locations.

In 2024, government officials issued stronger warnings against allowing children to play in sea foam at the beach, as it may contain high concentrations of PFAS.

High levels of the chemicals have also been detected in eggs from hens kept as a hobby, as well as in fish, shrimp, oysters and mussels caught in the Westerschelde estuary.