Antwerp’s emergency services have initiated a pilot project using hemp plants to naturally purify soils contaminated with PFAS.
This innovative project employs industrial hemp, not cannabis plants, and is a collaboration between the University of Ghent, Phytolutions, and the fire station in the Antwerp port village of Lillo. The soil at this location has been historically contaminated by PFAS from firefighting foam exercises and needs cleaning before the construction of a new fire station on the same site.
"The plant is not only good for our circular economy but also has the potential to extract PFAS from contaminated soils. Therefore, research in this area deserves our full support," said Antwerp’s Mayor and Head of Emergency Services, Bart De Wever.
Hemp plants appear able to extract significant amounts of PFAS from the ground, storing the pollutants in their leaves. Upon harvest, the contaminated and clean parts of the plant can be separated. Those containing PFAS are destroyed, while the rest of the plant can still be used as raw material.
This process involves industrial hemp, containing very little THC, the psychoactive substance found in cannabis plants. The tested method is both sustainable and cost-effective.
Similar projects have been conducted by the chemical company 3M in Zwijndrecht. If successful, the system could be deployed nationwide across Belgium. Results are expected by autumn.
