The parties first wanted the investigations into the presence of the harmful substance PFAS to be completed. According to the minister, these investigations give no reason to stop depoldering. The Hedwigepolder, near the border with Flanders, is expected to be under water at the end of September or early October.
The chemicals PFAS (poly- and perfluoroalkyls) have been linked to cancer, elevated cholesterol, or immune system or reproductive problems.
On the Belgian side of the Scheldt, the chemical company 3M contaminated the water with PFAS. As a result, local residents have too high levels of the substances in their bodies. It is not recommended to often eat fish or shellfish from the Scheldt.
But according to Van der Wal, the concentrations of PFAS in the water are falling. Moreover, it looks like that decline will continue. Moreover, it is not allowed to swim, fish or extract drinking water in the Hedwigepolder.
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