PFAS timeline
by Fundamental Right 1938 to today
1938
Roy Plunkett, a DuPont employee, while researching improved production methods for Freon gas, accidentally discovers the first PFAS compounds as a by-product.
source DuPont
the origin
1947
3M is starting mass production of C8 or PFOA, one of the best-known of the thousands of possible per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals in the PFAS family.
source American Chemical Society
start production
1951
DuPont begins production of PFOA-based Teflon in Parkersburg, West Virginia in the US.
see the documentary The Devil We Know.
source Wikipedia
DuPont introduces Teflon
see the documentary The Devil We Know.
1954
The first rumors about the possible toxicity of PFOA and other PFAS are emerging.
toxic rumors
1955
A study from Stanford University shows that PFAS binds to proteins in the human body.
The compound does not break down biologically, and accumulates in the body throughout life.
The term 'forever chemicals' is a fact.
source Department of Chemistry, Stanford University
study Stanford University
The compound does not break down biologically, and accumulates in the body throughout life.
The term 'forever chemicals' is a fact.
1961
DuPont's in-house toxicologist states in an internal document that PFAS chemicals are harmful and should be handled with extreme caution.
The big cover-up begins.
source DuPont
toxicologist DuPont determines
The big cover-up begins.
1963
US Navy scientists are working with 3M to develop fire-fighting foam (AFFF) based on PFOS.
A development that would later prove responsible for enormous PFAS pollution around fire stations and airports worldwide.
source US National Institutes of Health
3M opens its European headquarters in Diegem.
source 3M
fire retardant foam
A development that would later prove responsible for enormous PFAS pollution around fire stations and airports worldwide.
3M in Europe
1971
3M is starting a production unit in Zwijndrecht, where mainly semi-finished products are produced for other 3M locations.
Among other things, adhesives for Scotch tape, synthetic rubbers for the automotive and chemical industries and coolants for the electronics sector roll off the production line.
source 3M
3M
Among other things, adhesives for Scotch tape, synthetic rubbers for the automotive and chemical industries and coolants for the electronics sector roll off the production line.
1998
Wilbur Tennant, a farmer from Parkersburg, West Virginia, whose cattle were dying with strange symptoms, files a lawsuit against DuPont.
The somewhat atypical environmental lawyer Rob Bilott gets his teeth into the case and pursues it to the bone. The lawsuit results two decades later in a multi-million settlement with thousands of victims.
The Tennant case is the direct reason for the documentary The Devil We Know and later the movie Dark Waters.
source The New York Times
the Tennant case
The somewhat atypical environmental lawyer Rob Bilott gets his teeth into the case and pursues it to the bone. The lawsuit results two decades later in a multi-million settlement with thousands of victims.
The Tennant case is the direct reason for the documentary The Devil We Know and later the movie Dark Waters.
1999
Richard Purdy, an environmental specialist at 3M in the US, writes a fiery resignation letter before leaving, accusing the company of acting unethically and endangering the environment with PFOS and PFOA.
A quote from his letter:
"I was constantly faced with blockages, delays and indecisiveness. For weeks I was assured that my samples would be analyzed soon, but never saw any results. There was always an excuse and hardly anything was achieved."
source Richard Purdy
Richard Purdy
A quote from his letter:
"I was constantly faced with blockages, delays and indecisiveness. For weeks I was assured that my samples would be analyzed soon, but never saw any results. There was always an excuse and hardly anything was achieved."
2000
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces, after reviewing 3M documents, a worldwide cancer alert off for PFOS.
Under pressure from pending lawsuits and the EPA, 3M announces to 'spontaneously' phase out the production of PFOS and PFOA. New PFAS variants, whose toxicity has not yet been proven, will take the place of the targeted PFOS.
source The Morning
Despite the reduction in production, PFOS is still flowing into the Scheldt, due to the enormous amount of chemicals dumped in the soil under the 3M site, Blokkersdijk and the Oosterweel area.
The current remediation procedure consists of pumping away the groundwater through filter installations with limited capacity, the remaining chemicals are discharged freely into the Scheldt.
Meanwhile, there is 110 times more PFOS in the Scheldt than permitted.
reduction of PFOS and PFOA production
Under pressure from pending lawsuits and the EPA, 3M announces to 'spontaneously' phase out the production of PFOS and PFOA. New PFAS variants, whose toxicity has not yet been proven, will take the place of the targeted PFOS.
Despite the reduction in production, PFOS is still flowing into the Scheldt, due to the enormous amount of chemicals dumped in the soil under the 3M site, Blokkersdijk and the Oosterweel area.
The current remediation procedure consists of pumping away the groundwater through filter installations with limited capacity, the remaining chemicals are discharged freely into the Scheldt.
Meanwhile, there is 110 times more PFOS in the Scheldt than permitted.
2001
Professors Giesy and Kannan report for the first time on the widespread distribution of PFOS in nature.
The same Giesy was later charged in 2018 for allegedly helping 3M block academic research into the harmful effects of PFAS.
source Giesy and Kannan report
A 3M epidemiologist examines blood samples from 3M employees three times, both in Zwijndrecht and in Alabama.
He sees a connection between the amount of fluorochemicals in their blood and their cholesterol levels, which are much higher in employees with a lot of fluoride in their blood.
“This increases the risk of heart disease,” he concludes.
A conclusion that he later, in 2003, while still employed by 3M, toned down, saying that it was a “minimal effect”.
source The Morning
Giesy and Kannan
The same Giesy was later charged in 2018 for allegedly helping 3M block academic research into the harmful effects of PFAS.
internal 3M report
He sees a connection between the amount of fluorochemicals in their blood and their cholesterol levels, which are much higher in employees with a lot of fluoride in their blood.
“This increases the risk of heart disease,” he concludes.
A conclusion that he later, in 2003, while still employed by 3M, toned down, saying that it was a “minimal effect”.
2004
The UA discovers unprecedented PFOS concentrations in mice, birds and fish from the vicinity of the 3M site in Zwijndrecht.
In the period around this discovery (4 years before and after), it became clear that there was a huge amount of PFOS in the soil, under the 3M grounds, but also in the Blokkerdijk nature and bird reserve, as well as in the wider area.
source MIRA Environmental Report Flanders
PFOS concentrations in mice
In the period around this discovery (4 years before and after), it became clear that there was a huge amount of PFOS in the soil, under the 3M grounds, but also in the Blokkerdijk nature and bird reserve, as well as in the wider area.
2006
The EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, or the US Federal Environmental Agency, forces through the PFOA Stewardship Program eight producers in the PFAS industry to restrict the use of PFOA.
DuPont is also one of the eight participants to 'voluntarily' stop using PFOS and PFOA in its production methods.
source EPA
DuPont phases out use of PFOA
DuPont is also one of the eight participants to 'voluntarily' stop using PFOS and PFOA in its production methods.
2008
3M warns about the extreme (and dangerous) pollution around Blokkersdijk.
Who is at the table? OVAM and BAM nv / Lantis.
Lantis was aware of the PFOS pollution but did not take it into account when drawing up the budget for the Oosterweel connection.
Recently, Luc Hellemans, CEO of Lantis, claimed that PFOS is a fairly new discovery for them.
Blockersdijk
Who is at the table? OVAM and BAM nv / Lantis.
Lantis was aware of the PFOS pollution but did not take it into account when drawing up the budget for the Oosterweel connection.
Recently, Luc Hellemans, CEO of Lantis, claimed that PFOS is a fairly new discovery for them.
2009
The Flemish government receives the results of the study on PFAS pollution.
Extremely high concentrations of PFOS are found in the blood serum of people around both the ports of Antwerp and Ghent.
source summary report BFRISK: UA
PFOS in Flemish ports
Extremely high concentrations of PFOS are found in the blood serum of people around both the ports of Antwerp and Ghent.
2010
In Minnesota, USA, the then state attorney general, Lori Swanson, starts a lawsuit against the local factory of 3M (Minesota Mining and Manufacturing corporation).
She accuses the company of polluting natural water supplies with PFAS in east Minneapolis and St. Paul. Swanson cites in her complaint, among other things, the growing scientific evidence about the potential health effects of this group of PFAS chemicals.
3M goes on the defensive, including by citing the blood test in which a number of employees of the Zwijndrecht factory participated.
source The Minnesota Attorney General
Minnesota vs 3M
She accuses the company of polluting natural water supplies with PFAS in east Minneapolis and St. Paul. Swanson cites in her complaint, among other things, the growing scientific evidence about the potential health effects of this group of PFAS chemicals.
3M goes on the defensive, including by citing the blood test in which a number of employees of the Zwijndrecht factory participated.
2014
Former mayor of Zwijndrecht, Willy Minnebo, is informed by Wendy d'Hollander, researcher at the UA, about the results of her doctoral study on PFOS.
d'Hollander measured exceptionally high concentrations of PFOS in the vicinity of the 3M factory, up to three times higher than was considered safe by Europe in 2014.
The results are shared with various government authorities.
Zwijndrecht receives PFOS study
d'Hollander measured exceptionally high concentrations of PFOS in the vicinity of the 3M factory, up to three times higher than was considered safe by Europe in 2014.
The results are shared with various government authorities.
2015
DuPont spins off its Performance Chemicals division into a separate company, Chemours Company.
This also includes the fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) processing plant in Mechelen.
source Chemours
DuPont becomes Chemours
This also includes the fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) processing plant in Mechelen.
2017
A 'communication advice' by Professor Tytgat, from 2017, is buried until 2021.
Lantis only forwarded the advice in mid-June of this year (2021).
It is true that there is increasing scientific insight into the dangers of PFOS and other PFAS chemicals, but it is not true that this knowledge did not yet exist in 2017.
In 2017, Lantis ignored all current knowledge from the RIVM and the EFSA, in favor of ancient EPA values.
VITO uses a reference dose from the American EPA from 2016.
DuPont and Chemours pay $671 million to settle thousands of lawsuits over PFAS leak in local water supply.
source Reuters
communication advice Tytgat
Lantis only forwarded the advice in mid-June of this year (2021).
In 2017, Lantis ignored all current knowledge from the RIVM and the EFSA, in favor of ancient EPA values.
VITO uses a reference dose from the American EPA from 2016.
leak DuPont
2018
Lantis signs a secret settlement with 3M, in which both parties make mutual concessions to avoid future dispute.
It is in this context that 3M is paying €75,000 of the €63 million remediation costs to BAM nv / Lantis for the construction of a toxic dump in the form of a safety berm.
source...is still behind a openness of government lock
Release of the must see documentary The Devil We Know, about the impacts of PFAS discharges around the DuPont plant in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
source The Devil We Know – home page
settlement Lantis 3M
It is in this context that 3M is paying €75,000 of the €63 million remediation costs to BAM nv / Lantis for the construction of a toxic dump in the form of a safety berm.
The Devil We Know
2019
Release of Dark Waters.
A film based on the long legal battle that attorney Robert Bilott waged in the late 1990s in the Tennant case against DuPont.
source IMDB
Dark Waters
A film based on the long legal battle that attorney Robert Bilott waged in the late 1990s in the Tennant case against DuPont.
2020
In an October 2020 report, OVAM opts for the old American EPA reference dose of 20 ng/kg/day from 2016, instead of the European EFSA reference dose of 0.63 ng/kg/day, which was officially established on September 17, 2020.
The correct values, of which VITO was indeed aware:
The new EFSA reference dose is more than sixty times stricter than the old EPA reference dose from 2016.
Who made this choice and on what basis? We would like to know.
Lantis has been aware of the PFAS problem for thirteen years, but it was only after nine years that it established environmental standards, coincidentally environmental standards that just made it possible to implement the plans, which had already been drawn up long ago.
BAM nv / Lantis never paused for a second to consider whether it was a good idea to dig next to the heavily polluted 3M site. They never warned anyone. To this day, they still have not ordered an in-depth and independent toxicological analysis.
The timeline of the citizen movements (stRaten-generaal, Ademloos and Ringland) refers to a study that states that the measured PFOS values in Flemish blood are in the lower middle range compared to other Western countries.
The blood serum values of residents of the 3M site, from the doctoral study by Wendy d'Hollander, give a different picture.
OVAM chooses old reference dose
The correct values, of which VITO was indeed aware:
- 4.5 nanograms per week
- 0.63 nanograms per day
not 20 nanograms per day (OVAM)
Who made this choice and on what basis? We would like to know.
Lantis up to date
BAM nv / Lantis never paused for a second to consider whether it was a good idea to dig next to the heavily polluted 3M site. They never warned anyone. To this day, they still have not ordered an in-depth and independent toxicological analysis.
The timeline of the citizen movements (stRaten-generaal, Ademloos and Ringland) refers to a study that states that the measured PFOS values in Flemish blood are in the lower middle range compared to other Western countries.
The blood serum values of residents of the 3M site, from the doctoral study by Wendy d'Hollander, give a different picture.
TODAY
In the VRT program De Zevende Dag, Antwerp mayor and parliamentarian assures Bart De Wever, that based on a number of recent measurements, there would be no problem on Antwerp territory.
To this end, he uses the results of twelve measurements at four different locations that the city had carried out in recent weeks.
However, based on the new insights of the EFSA and the previously quoted 4.4 nanograms per kilogram of body weight, that standard should be almost five times lower.
The drinking water from Waterlink, which is active in Antwerp and Zwijndrecht, among other places, was found to contain 38 nanograms of PFAS per liter.
The fact that the new European Drinking Water Directive sets the bar at 100 nanograms per liter, instead of 22 nanograms per liter, despite the EFSA findings, is attributed to economic motives by specialists.
Precisely because drinking water and groundwater contain higher concentrations in many places, this would significantly increase the costs for drinking water companies.
In the local biomonitoring that is being set up on the Left Bank, no questions are asked about medical history.
Refusing to record medical history prevents the possibility of later establishing a link between certain medical conditions and PFOS pollution in the environment.
In this way, claims for damages to 3M are made impossible. Thanks to our Flemish government, 3M can continue to claim that there is no evidence.
To date, we still do not know what the current soil and groundwater concentrations are at the 3M site.
It is striking that there is no information about PFOS and PFAS airborne transmission, no one talks about air emissions.
PFOS and PFAS are the most dangerous in soil and water, but how do the chemicals end up so far from the 3M site in Zwijndrecht?
This is only possible through the air, the groundwater flows away from the centre towards the Scheldt.
statements in the media
To this end, he uses the results of twelve measurements at four different locations that the city had carried out in recent weeks.
However, based on the new insights of the EFSA and the previously quoted 4.4 nanograms per kilogram of body weight, that standard should be almost five times lower.
drinking water
The fact that the new European Drinking Water Directive sets the bar at 100 nanograms per liter, instead of 22 nanograms per liter, despite the EFSA findings, is attributed to economic motives by specialists.
Precisely because drinking water and groundwater contain higher concentrations in many places, this would significantly increase the costs for drinking water companies.
biomonitoring
Refusing to record medical history prevents the possibility of later establishing a link between certain medical conditions and PFOS pollution in the environment.
In this way, claims for damages to 3M are made impossible. Thanks to our Flemish government, 3M can continue to claim that there is no evidence.
To date, we still do not know what the current soil and groundwater concentrations are at the 3M site.
It is striking that there is no information about PFOS and PFAS airborne transmission, no one talks about air emissions.
PFOS and PFAS are the most dangerous in soil and water, but how do the chemicals end up so far from the 3M site in Zwijndrecht?
This is only possible through the air, the groundwater flows away from the centre towards the Scheldt.
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