Between 2015 and 2022, emissions of one or more highly toxic substances increased at 125 Dutch companies, as revealed by research conducted by RTL Nieuws. This rise occurred despite stricter regulations implemented in 2016, which mandated companies to reduce their emissions of harmful substances.
RTL Nieuws examined self-reported emissions data from 224 companies regarding ‘Substances of Very High Concern,’ which, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), pose serious health risks. These substances, which include mercury, lead, and carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde, can impair reproduction, cause cancer, and accumulate in the food chain. However, the study focused only on companies with available emissions data for both 2015 and 2022, excluding some industries, such as asphalt plants, which are not required to report these emissions.
Since 2016, companies have been obligated to take all possible measures to prevent emissions of these harmful substances, but RTL reports that 56 percent of companies studied have been unable to meet this standard.
Growing Health Concerns
“I’m shocked by this,” toxicologist Paul Scheepers from Radboud University stated to RTL. He highlighted that even minor increases in emissions are concerning given their widespread release across the Netherlands. Scheepers is especially alarmed by the increase in emissions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which result from incomplete combustion and are linked to elevated cancer risk.