Protecting Ecaussinnes: Municipality Takes Action Against PFAS Contamination

2023-11-09 10:38:02

The municipality of Ecaussinnes indicated on Thursday that it had taken a series of measures “to guarantee a healthy environment” for its inhabitants, following having become aware of the analyzes of the content of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances carried out as part of the program “#Investigations » broadcast on Wednesday.

In its report, RTBF points to concentrations of 560 ng/l of these substances which are ultimately dangerous for the environment and health measured at the discharge point of the company TotalEnergies Petrochemicals. Concentrations of 637 ng/l, potentially coming from the company Chemviron, were also noted in a storm basin.

“These values ​​are more than five times higher than the threshold of 100 ng/l commonly accepted to qualify a ‘hot spot’, i.e. a level that experts consider problematic”, underlined the local authorities, recalling that “PFAS constitute a group including more than 4,700 widely used man-made chemicals that accumulate over time in the human body and the environment.

In response, a campaign to measure the PFAS content will be carried out around the economic activity zone, primarily in areas close to homes, announced the municipality of Ecaussinnes. The results of these measures will be transmitted to regional authorities and made public.

Also read The tap water in Chièvres was contaminated with Pfas

Furthermore, a request for a risk assessment was sent to the competent regional authorities for supervising industrial activities. Finally, the municipality requested from the Region that measurements of contamination in the bodies of residents be carried out to assess the possible presence of PFAS.

The municipal authorities of Ecaussinnes are due to meet the Minister of the Environment, Céline Tellier, on Thursday followingnoon to address these various requests during a meeting bringing together, in particular, the municipalities concerned by the file.

Also read Pfas pollution: Wallonia strengthens its monitoring system

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