Although the latest RIVM report is quite negative about the effects of the Tata Steel measures against the emission of toxic substances, the local residents hardly showed their teeth on the special residents’ evening. A few critical questions aside, they seem to trust Tata Steel, the province and the Environment Agency that things will get better in the coming years.
“I’m sorry,” a concerned local resident apologises. The atmosphere at the residents’ evening in the council chamber of the municipality of Beverwijk about the latest RIVM report, which was negative for Tata Steel, is still fairly pleasant in the first hour. And now he comes with a ‘fanatical question’.
The man: “There have now been three measurements, all with approximately the same result. When can we expect a deposition study that will have a positive effect? In a year, in three years?”
Read about the RIVM report here
‘Familiar faces’
Earlier in the evening, about thirty residents of Tata Steel had quietly blown into the council chamber blowing into cardboard coffee cups. They greet each other calmly and often settle down in the back of the congregation hall on the more comfortable chairs in the hall. The forty folding chairs in the middle of the council chamber remain almost empty.
Last week, the RIVM published for third time the results of a measurement of the number of toxic substances and metals in coarse dust that settles around Tata Steel. In all three measurements, one in 2020 and two in 2022, the amount of carcinogenic PAH substances is too high.
Tata Steel has spent hundreds of millions in recent years on massive filter installations and other on-site measures. In addition, the company already says compared to 2019 half less PAHs to emit. But yes: “This is not yet visible in the settled coarse dust in Wijk aan Zee, Beverwijk, IJmuiden and Velsen-Noord”, RIVM researcher Janneke Elberse repeats tonight.
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We have always adhered to the environmental rules at Tata, but health is not properly guaranteed. That’s a reality we’re dealing with.”
It is therefore logical that the fanatical question arises: when can the effect of the measures be seen? Tata Steel itself is not there to answer the question, but the Environment Agency knows the answer: part of a large dedusting installation must be completed by the end of this year, and with regard to toxic coarse dust it will still make a difference.
“So a new study in January 2024,” the questioner assumes aloud, focusing on Jeroen Olthof of the province and Elberse of RIVM. That still needs some thought, ‘but there will certainly be follow-up research,’ promises environmental deputy Jeroen Olthof. He also says he is ‘disappointed’ that Tata Steel’s measures are not yet reflected in the results.
It’s coming off anyway
The people in the room seem to be satisfied with that explanation and don’t ask questions about it. But the evening after that still loosens up a bit in a civilized way, and the evening schedule runs out due to the many questions from concerned citizens.
They want to know: the greening plan Groen Staal ‘has been calculated on economic feasibility, is it also calculated on health?’ Olthof agrees, that is part of the permit process for those new factory parts. This is on the agenda for the coming years.
‘What are we talking about?’
Of course, the increased risk of cancer in the area around Tata Steel is also discussed, and the infamous and polluting coke factory 2 of Tata Steel is also discussed. “It has been written off for twenty years, how is that possible?”
Olthof: “I cannot say whether a good policy has been pursued before. I do not have that information. I do know that health has been put on the agenda in the last six, seven, ten years. In the end, we have always adhered to Tata’s environmental rules, but health is not properly guaranteed in them. That is a reality that we have to deal with.”
Then one gentleman also takes a stand for the factory: “I have lived here for 75 years, with healthy children and grandchildren, who have all played on the beach here. So what are we talking about?”
More than half an hour later than planned, the moderator closes the evening. It will not be the last residents’ evening about a report: Elberse already announced a next RIVM report on Tata Steel and the surrounding area tonight. “We’re working on a so-called proof of concept. With this we try to visualize the chain: from emissions to health.”