Pesticides containing “forever chemicals” known as PFAS are threatening the future of drinking water in the Netherlands, warns the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). These chemicals release at least 21,000 kilograms of a harmful acid into the environment each year. Because it never breaks down, it poses a growing danger to soil, crops, rivers, and tap water.
The use of these pesticides almost doubled between 2022 and 2024, rising from 250,000 to 465,000 kilograms. As a result, people are taking in more PFAS, which the watchdog warns is not being properly controlled. The chemicals can make people ill, harm unborn babies, and damage the liver and hormones.
ILT Inspector General Mattheus Wassenaar warned that the country is passing the problem on to future generations. He called for a swift ban on PFAS pesticides to protect public health and drinking water.
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