Research shows PFAS pollution at military domain Ryckevelde

The exploratory soil investigation revealed the chemical PFAS in both the soil and the groundwater. PFAS is an umbrella term for very stubborn chemicals that occur in, among other things, non-stick coatings of pans, but also in fire extinguishing foam. Depending on the type of PFAS and the degree of exposure, the toxic chemicals can affect the immune system or liver and linger in the human body for a long time.

Information round

Together with OVAM and the Agency for Care and Health, the municipality of Beernem is now organizing an information round for all local residents. Local residents who just live on the territory of Bruges or Damme will also receive recommendations. For more thorough research to provide more clarity, they are advised not to fertilize with compost and to wash their hands more often, for example. If you grow your own fruit and vegetables and want to eat them, you should also limit that.

extinguishing exercises

For decades, the Belgian navy has been conducting fire-fighting exercises at the military site at ‘t Maanse in Beernem. As a result, remediation has already been necessary several times. In response to the large-scale PFAS contamination at the 3M plant in Antwerp, the Flemish government called on municipalities to indicate possible PFAS risk locations. Beernem had the Defense site investigated and the army itself put the area on a suspect list.

“OVAM is now asking the Ministry of Defense to appoint a soil expert who must determine the exact extent of the contamination with a view to remediation”, explains Groen Jan Vanassche’s environmental ships. Defense can still appeal against this, but Groen Beernem suspects that it will not do so.