Serious PFAS contamination has been detected on the site of the former fire extinguisher manufacturer SICLI in the Brussels municipality of Uccle, according to Brussels Environment. Local residents are advised not to eat anything from their own gardens for the time being.
The soil and groundwater on the premises of SICLI are contaminated with "forever chemicals" per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS), according to an "exploratory soil investigation" (ESI) carried out as part of the procedure for granting an environmental permit.
The premises of the manufacturer's production site are located in the Stalle district of Uccle.
"The pollution at the site itself is considerable," said Brussels Environment spokesperson Pascale Hourman in a press statement. "The soil standard has been exceeded by up to 708 times for a total of 31 types of PFAS values. For groundwater, the standard has been exceeded by up to 1058 times for a total of 20 PFAS values."
The severity of the contamination in the soil and groundwater of the surrounding areas is currently unclear and requires further investigation.
PFAS contamination has often been found at sites where fire extinguishing agents are frequently used, such as fire stations. While most fire extinguishers in Europe contain PFAS extinguishing agents, this group of plastics is very difficult or impossible to break down in the environment.
Mapping the pollution
The contamination came to light during an exploratory soil investigation, which was necessary for the granting of SICLI's environmental permit. In the meantime, however, the company has been declared bankrupt. The receivers have not continued with the necessary analyses, even though these fall under the responsibility of the polluter, according to Brussels Environment.
"In order to protect the health of local residents and the environment, Brussels Environment is now taking over the case, in close cooperation with the municipality," the agency said in a press release.
The regional environmental agency wants to map the pollution in detail with a view to taking protective measures. As a precaution, a perimeter has been set up around the Sicli site.
This concerns the block of flats between Rue du Merlo, Rue Baron Guillaume van Hamme and Chaussée de Neerstalle in Uccle. The row of houses on the Chaussée de Neerstalle and Rue Zwartebeek directly opposite the Saint-Paul primary school also fall within the affected zone.
In the meantime, as a precautionary measure, a perimeter has been marked out around the SICLI site (see map).
Perimeter around the SICLI site. Credit: Brussels Environment
The Brussels Environment agency and the municipal council of Uccle have now drawn up a joint action plan to assess the environmental situation in the neighbourhood and make recommendations to local residents.
"In collaboration with Brussels Environment, which informed us of the suspected contamination, we are doing everything we can to ascertain the exact nature of the situation, take the necessary measures and keep local residents closely informed," said Uccle mayor Boris Dilliès (MR).
Various analyses are currently being carried out on and around the site of the polluting company. Brussels Environment has taken a sample from the groundwater extraction site near Uccle Sport, but no exceedance of the applicable PFAS standards was found.
Polluter pays?
Brussels Environment and the Environment Department of the municipality of Uccle will carry out additional analyses outside the site, subject to the agreement of those concerned (neighbouring school, surrounding gardens, etc.).
Additionally, local residents will be informed via a neighbourhood flyer (distributed to all letterboxes) and a public information meeting, scheduled for 2 July at 19:00 in the cafeteria of the Neerstalle sports complex, Rue Zwartebeek 23.
During this meeting, the situation will be explained, initial recommendations will be made and questions from local residents will be answered. A second information meeting will also be organised later to share the results of the analyses with local residents and, if necessary, adjust the measures and recommendations.
Blood tests for PFAS. Credit: Belga/Jonas Roosens
"The Region and the municipality are closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary measures to protect the health of our residents. That is, of course, our top priority," said Brussels outgoing Environment Minister Alain Maron (Ecolo).
Pending the results, as a precautionary measure, people in the area are advised not to use well water, not to consume fruit or vegetables from private gardens within the perimeter (see map), and in particular within the precautionary perimeter. It is also not recommended to consume eggs from chickens or small farm animals within this area.
Additionally, Brussels Environment has formally urged the curators to take responsibility and carry out the necessary soil analyses. "The Region wants the polluter to take full responsibility, in accordance with the 'polluter pays' principle, and will undertake all necessary investigations and any legal action against the responsible persons and/or companies."
