The soil of the vegetable gardens in the dune area of Egmond contains slightly elevated concentrations of the toxic substance PFAS. This is according to research commissioned by the province of North Holland and drinking water company and nature manager PWN. “This may mean that more PFAS ends up in the crops of these gardens than is desirable,” reports the Province of Noord-Holland.
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) enter the environment in different ways. For example, in emissions and in waste from products containing PFAS. It spreads through water, soil and air.
These toxic substances can also enter the body through, for example, drinking water and food. PFAS can cause health damage. For example, it can damage your immune system and cause cancer.
PFAS is in products such as paint, fire-fighting foam, pans, clothing and cosmetics.
The reason for the soil investigation of the dune lands are results from previous studies. It showed that PFAS concentrations in the coastal areas are higher than in other places.
The findings in the dune gardens are in line with previous studies: higher concentrations are found in gardens closer to the coast.
The results of the study give no reason to remediate the soil or to free it from soil contamination.
‘Sea Spray’
The cause is being looked at as ‘sea spray’, in which PFAS is transported in small water particles from the sea via the air. This results in higher concentrations in the coastal strip than inland.
“We do not yet know how the PFAS content in the soil compares to the content in crops,” the province writes. The crops in the dune lands of Egmond are therefore also being studied.
‘Limit risk’
Gardeners who want to limit the risk of increased PFAS intake are advised by the GGD to alternate vegetables from the dune lands in Egmond with vegetables from the supermarket. At least until the investigation is completed.
The crop research will take place in the first half of 2023.
The dune lands have existed since the 19th century and are passed on from generation to generation. In this earlier report horticulturist Gerrit Zwaan talks about ‘his little paradise’: