There is little interest in the special consultation hours of the GGD Brabant-Zuidoost about PFAS pollution in Helmond. So far, only one person came by, the GGD said after questions from Omroep Brabant. In April, the TV program Zembla revealed that the company had illegally discharged PFAS into the sewer for fifteen years.
It was previously known that the environment of the now bankrupt company was contaminated with the carcinogenic substance. PFAS particles had escaped through the chimney and ended up in the area.
The GGD, together with the municipality, opened a counter where concerned residents of Helmond can go with questions about PFAS pollution. A special telephone number was also created and walk-in consultation hours were organized to allay concerns among residents.
By opening the walk-in consultation hours, the GGD hoped to lower the threshold for residents who are concerned. Interested parties had to register in advance.
Consultation hours near a contaminated location
But the response was disappointing. “We have had one registration for the consultation hour and this conversation took place last Friday,” explains a spokesperson for the GGD.
The last consultation hour was scheduled for Wednesday. “But no registrations have been received for this so far.”
Consultation hours were open at these times:
- Friday October 24 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. GGD location Rijpelberg, Twijnsterhof 161, Helmond
- Monday October 27 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. GGD location Rijpelberg, Twijnsterhof 161, Helmond
- Wednesday October 29 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. GGD location De Callenburgh, De Callenburgh 2, Helmond
The GGD and the municipality of Helmond deliberately chose two consultation locations. The location in the Rijpelberg district of Helmond is close to the location where Custom Powders used to be. The Callenburgh is a central location in the municipality of Helmond. “We wanted to be in the neighborhood, so that it is accessible to people from the neighborhood.”
Reason unknown
The health service has no idea why there was so little interest in the consultation hours. “Is there no need for it? Didn’t people know? Have they been sufficiently informed? It’s all speculation, but we don’t know. This makes it difficult for us to hear what concerns there are.” The GGD emphasizes that the telephone number and the website with information about PFAS remain accessible.
The municipality had previously also asked the GGD to make individual blood tests possible for residents who want to have their blood tested for PFAS. But according to the GGD, that is not possible. Soon after Zembla’s revelations, the service announced that it was not planning to conduct a major health survey in Helmond. New research by the RIVM shows that everyone in the Netherlands has PFAS in their blood.
Two reports against Custom Powders
Earlier this year, the municipality of Helmond and Waterschap Aa en Maas filed a report against the now bankrupt Helmond company. Responsible councilor Arno Bonte spoke at the time of ‘criminal behavior’.
The functional public prosecutor’s office previously announced that the report is still being examined and assessed. It is still unclear whether an investigation will be launched.