Zembla dives into the PFAS scandal in the first episode of the new season. In Zeeland, the water has become so severely polluted with toxic PFAS substances that fish from the Westerschelde can no longer be eaten. PFAS, also called "forever chemicals" because they virtually do not degrade in the environment, can be harmful to the immune system even at very small doses and carcinogenic at higher exposures.
In Belgium, there was great commotion last year when it was revealed that chemical company 3M in Antwerp had been discharging huge amounts of PFAS into the Scheldt River for years, severely polluting the environment as far away as Zeeland. The scandal led to a parliamentary investigation and the shutdown of the plant. So far, all fingers were pointing at 3M, but despite the intervention at this company, PFAS levels in the Westerschelde are not decreasing. How can that be? Zembla follows the PFAS trail and discovers another major source of PFAS pollution, with major consequences for the Netherlands.
See the PFAS scandal episode. (ENGLISH)