The sea foam along the Dutch coast contains PFAS. This is evident from measurements that the provinces of Zeeland, North and South Holland have carried out. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) analyzed these measurements on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
“It is unclear what the concentrations of PFAS in sea foam mean for the health of swimmers, surfers or beach walkers, for example,” reports the RIVM, the Dutch counterpart of Sciensano. “Information about how much sea foam people ingest during various activities in the sea or along the beach is lacking.”
The measurements in the Netherlands followed research in Flanders into PFAS in sea foam. In Flanders, the PFAS concentrations in the seawater samples were much lower than in the sea foam samples. This also applies to the samples taken from Dutch seawater. Swimming in seawater is therefore no cause for concern for health, according to the province of Zeeland.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are chemicals that are barely biodegradable. They are linked to cancer, increased cholesterol and reproductive defects. Recent research by the RIVM has shown that a large part of the Dutch population already ingests too much PFAS through food and drinking water. This means that in principle any additional exposure is undesirable.
No measures for swimmers
Measures for swimmers near the coast are not necessary at the moment, resigning Minister Mark Harbers (Infrastructure and Water Management) wrote to the House of Representatives after consultation with various governments. “PFAS occurs everywhere in our environment. It therefore comes as no surprise that these substances are also found in seawater and sea foam.” Still, he recommends showering after swimming and not letting children swallow sea foam.
The three provinces had samples of the sea foam taken at fourteen different locations on the Dutch coast on two occasions.
The Zeeland representative – member of parliament of the province of Zeeland) Dick van der Velde (VVD) is pleased that sea foam is also included in this research. “But the most important thing remains that the PFAS tap is turned off. That is why the province of Zeeland supports the European proposal for a ban on PFAS.”
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