Pas op! RIVM says to avoid eating fish and shrimp from the Westerschelde area

The coast is NOT clear. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) advises everyone to avoid eating any seafood from the Westerschelde area in the Netherlands.

The fish, shrimp, oysters, and mussels from the region contain too many PFAS. How many are too many? Between eight and 10 times more than the average seafood product. 😳

The RIVM warns hobby fishermen in particular who sometimes take their catch home for dinner, the NOS reports.

What are PFAS?

PFAS stands for poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances. It is a collective name for up to 5,000 different chemical substances that don’t occur naturally in the environment.

Not everything is known about PFAS, however, they are bad for the environment because they are not biodegradable and affect the immune system.

Quite a few PFAS are carcinogenic (have the potential to cause cancer) if someone is exposed to them for a long time.

Unrest in Zeeland

The chemical company 3M, located in Zwijndrecht in Belgium discharged thousands of kilos of PFAS in the Scheldt per year, which flows to the sea in Westerschelde, the Netherlands.

Since then, the average amount of PFAS in the area increased significantly. Ingesting fish and other seafood only contributes to the already-high PFAS exposure people experience in the Netherlands.

Monitoring exposure

Municipalities in Westerscheldt argue for a PFAS screening to determine the exposure of the chemicals to the local residents.

GGD Zeeland thinks it’s too early to screen, as they are waiting for a food safety study. However, they maintain the advice to not eat any seafood caught in the area.

They advise everyone to buy fish and shrimp products in stores as it’s less likely they come from such polluted areas.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

Feature Image:Depositphotos
Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
Third culture kid Katrien has been working as a writer and editor at DutchReview for over two years, originally moving to the Netherlands as a tween. Equipped with a Bachelor’s in communication and media and a Master’s in political communication, she’s here to stay for her passion for writing, whether it’s current Dutch affairs, the energy market, or universities. Just like the Dutch, Katrien lives by her agenda and enjoys the occasional frietje met mayo — she just wishes she could grow tall, too.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related posts

Latest posts

Open a Dutch bank account without a BSN at these banks

So, you need to open a Dutch bank account without a BSN? You'll be happy to hear that that's geen probleem — but only...

After a korting? The ultimate guide to cheap shops in the Netherlands

Looking for the equivalent of a dollar store, a euro shop, or a pound shop in the Netherlands? Here's what we know about shopping cheaply...

17 Dutch towns with the funniest names

The Netherlands has countless cities and villages, each with its unique atmosphere. While some towns have gained fame due to their attractions, others are...

It's happening

Upcoming events

The latest Dutch news.
In your inbox.