High levels of poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been found at the former Vilvoorde Fire Brigade training ground on the Cyriel Buyssestraat, the municipal authorities reported on Monday.
PFAS has previously been discovered on other sites in the city, in the Faubourg district and on the CAT and AKZO industrial sites.
The area around the former fire brigade site, now home to the inter-municipal company INCOVO, has been examined by the Flemish Waste Agency (Ovam).
Excessive levels of PFAS were detected in the groundwater at several measurement points. Residents living within a radius of 500 metres were asked to take so-called “no-regret” measures, i.e. not to drink tap water, not to consume or consume in moderation home-grown produce, not to eat water from garden hens, to avoid driving in and around the site concerned, etc.
"There is no reason to panic," says Hans Bonte (Vooruit), Mayor of Vilvoorde. "The main aim of the precautionary measures, pending clearer information, is to encourage people to stop using groundwater or water from cisterns."
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Bonte also called for "this uncertain situation to be clarified as quickly as possible. We are asking OVAM to give absolute priority to the promised investigation, and it is also imperative that the contamination identified is dealt with as quickly as possible," he added.
In Flanders, the issue of PFAS contamination has been in the news regularly since the discovery of widespread pollution caused by the 3M chemical company at Zwijndrecht (Antwerp).
