Pollution trial against chemical company 3M begins

A court case brought by 1,400 residents of the Zwijndrecht neighbourhood in Antwerp against chemical company 3M has begun this week.

Each of the residents is claiming €20,000 in provisional damages for PFAS contamination around the 3M site and the potential risks to their health.

During excavation work for the Oosterweel link road in 2021, it was discovered that the soil around the 3M factory was contaminated with PFAS - so-called "forever chemicals" - substances that can cause various health problems.

A number of warnings were applied to the surrounding area, including not to eat eggs or consumer any produce grown within a wide range of the site.

A family with two children living about 1km from the factory already filed a complaint in 2023 after blood tests revealed abnormally high levels of PFAS.

PFAS was also found in their vegetable garden. The family claimed damages from the chemical company for "excessive nuisance to the neighbourhood", a charge provided for in the Civil Code. The magistrate agreed and awarded the family €2,000 in provisional damages, or €500 per family member.

The amount was provisional because the actual extent of the damage might not be known for several years. If necessary, proceedings could be reopened to determine the final compensation.

Based on the same principle of excessive neighbourhood nuisance, 1,400 other local residents have now taken their case to the magistrate.

They also claim to suffer from nuisance and health risks related to PFAS contamination and are each claiming €20,000 in provisional damages from 3M, for a total of €28 million.

That amount is also provisional because the actual extent of the damage remains to be seen. The trial continues.