Residents report complaints such as bloody noses, after they discovered that the gravel contains steel snails in their courtyard. That is a waste product from the steel industry that can cause symptoms such as bloody noses and irritated eyes.
Children at the hofje in Muiden played with it daily and got the stuff on their skin or even put it in their mouths. Since then it has been remarkably quiet on the hofje; Children hardly play outside.
Yet, according to the GGD, parents do not have to worry about lasting effects in their children. The health service says that there are no indications of long -term health damage.
More places polluted
The steel snails have now been found in several places in Muiden. Also on paths around a playground on the Rietpolderlaan, around Westbatterijpark and walking and cycling paths in the neighborhood are the steel snails. For those places, the municipality is still waiting for an advice from the Environment Service, which looks at the consequences for the environment.
According to Alderman Hugo Bellaart, the priority is now first in the health of local residents. That is why the places are first tackled where children immediately come into contact with the material, such as on the courtyards.
Municipality knew nothing about steel snails
The municipality and project developer KNSF say they have not known that it contained gravel steel slags in the construction of the neighborhood. According to both parties, this was not mentioned in the supplier’s sales documentation. If that had been the case, the material would not have been used, according to the municipality and the project developer.
The policy of Gooise Meren is that there should be no steel snail, says the alderman.