“PFAS Contamination in Zwijndrecht: A Landmark Case against 3M”

2023-05-15 20:49:56

The family lives regarding a kilometer from the 3M factory in Zwijndrecht. During excavation work carried out for the Antwerp bypass site, it appeared that the soil near the site was contaminated with PFAS, potentially harmful to health. Members of this household were tested and found amounts of PFAS up to 100 times higher than the accepted threshold. These chemicals were also found in their vegetable garden.

The family contacted the justice of the peace to claim compensation from the chemical company on the basis of article 3.101 of the civil code, “excessive neighborhood nuisance”. The justice of the peace considered that the responsibility of the company was well engaged in this nuisance to the neighborhood and ordered 3M to pay provisional compensation of 2,000 euros to the family, or 500 euros per member.

This decision might set an important precedent for other residents living near the plant who would also like to take legal action. However, an appeal procedure is still possible.

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