On the site of the former AAF factory on the Kapitein Nemostraat in Emmen, various chemicals in the soil have been discovered, including formaldehyde, barium and toluene. There is also asbestos, which was released during a fire in March 2023.
This is evident from answers from the municipality of Emmen to questions from councilor Robart de Jong from Hart voor Emmen.
At that fire, asbestos was released in and around the former air filter factory. Research showed that the asbestos belongs to risk class 2A. That is the highest risk category. This means that separate asbestos particles can blow around and cause health risks in contact or inhalation.
Soil investigations from 2019 and 2020 (conducted after the factory was closed) show that there are contamination in several places, to varying extent. In some parts, the pollution is light, on others strongly raised. It is striking that traces of Formaldehyde have also been found in the groundwater, a substance that can be carcinogenic in the event of prolonged exposure.
Due to this situation, a construction and demolition stop has been imposed. Entering the site has been prohibited since then, until a certified company declares it as safe.
But the factory attracted unwanted attention in the recent period. There were reports of, among other things, vandalism, broken windows and unauthorized persons came to the site. This previously led to enforcement action by the municipality. A gap in the fence was recently discovered. The owner has been instructed to recover this immediately.
The building is further aware of the Drenthe Environment Agency, the municipal enforcement and the police. The location is on the so -called hotspot list, which means that it is regularly included in surveillance rounds.
Despite the risks present in the field itself, according to the municipality there is no direct danger to the environment. But it is important that the site remains closed.
In 2024 the site was sold to a developer, but it is still unknown what its plans are. It is true that soil remediation is first required in the event of demolition or redevelopment.