Dutch authorities flag 57 PFAS hotspots for urgent cleanup

At least 57 sites across the Netherlands are so badly contaminated with PFAS “forever chemicals” that they need urgent cleanups, according to a first inventory published by the infrastructure ministry. Officials say the figure is only “the tip of the iceberg”.

The 57 sites emerged from a wider screening by provinces and local authorities that has so far identified some 4,000 potentially contaminated locations, around 600 of which have been selected for deeper investigation, broadcaster NOS reported.

Most of the worst-affected sites are contaminated by PFAS-containing firefighting foam, with others linked to former carpet factories, paper mills, fire brigade and defence training grounds, and waste tips. Around three-quarters of the sites are still awaiting the start of cleanup work.

Provinces and local authorities told the broadcaster that a key obstacle is their inability to compel companies to allow soil testing on private land – an issue the ministry had previously denied was a problem. Asked whether the government would now act, the ministry could not say, according to NOS.

The provincial body IPO put the cost of cleanups already under way at around €68 million – “probably a fraction” of the total bill. Earlier reporting put the cost of the first
28 cleanup projects at almost €70 million.

Junior environment minister Annet Bertram said the ministry aims to have a “sharper picture” of the affected sites and likely cleanup costs by 2028, with a “programmatic approach” beginning after 2030. The ministry has not released the locations of the 57 sites.

PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a group of thousands of synthetic compounds known as “forever chemicals” because they barely degrade in the environment. They have been linked to cancer, immune system damage, and harm to fertility and unborn children.