Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands Source of Pollution on Frisian Shipping

Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands has been identified as the source of PFAS contamination in the Jelsumer Feart located in the Dutch province of Friesland, according to research published today by Wetterskip Fryslân.

The air base is implementing measures to address the pollution, including the remediation of a former fire training site. High concentrations of PFAS have been detected in both the surface water and waterbed in and around the base. Until 2006, PFOS-containing firefighting foam was used at the base, which is suspected to be the source of the contamination.

In addition to excavating the former fire training site, the air base is also remediating the waterbed. The PFAS issue is not unique to Leeuwarden and has been found at other military sites, including other air bases and training areas.

The Defense Ministry is developing a remediation policy and program to address these contaminated locations. Currently, Defense operates on a risk-driven basis, assessing the severity of contamination on a case-by-case basis and determining necessary measures based on the potential risk of spread.

PFAS, a group of thousands of chemicals, have been used for decades in various products, including firefighting foam, due to their beneficial properties. However, PFAS are known for their persistence in the environment, as they do not readily break down.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that epidemiological studies have revealed associations between exposure to specific PFAS and a variety of health effects, including altered immune and thyroid function, liver disease, lipid and insulin dysregulation, kidney disease, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes, and cancer.