📋 Tender Overview
The RIVM recommends that the concentrations of PFAS Poly- and perfluoroalkyls in drinking water in parts of the Netherlands in the coming years. This is drinking water made from river water. In more than half of the measurements in this drinking water the concentration is higher than the RIVM advises. In the case of drinking water from groundwater this is the case for 1 in 10 measurements. This is evident from research by the RIVM. Lowering this concentration is necessary to ensure that the proportion of PFAS that people ingest through drinking water does not become too large. Drinking tap water is safe. RIVM will conduct research into the most effective measures to reduce the total exposure to PFAS in the Netherlands. Concentration PFAS Poly- and perfluoroalkyls in drinking water The RIVM advises that people do not ingest more PFAS through drinking water than 20 percent of the health-based limit value. The reason for this is that people can get the other 80 percent from other sources. In more than half of the measurements in drinking water from river water this share is now higher than 20 percent of the health-based limit value. Particularly in the western Netherlands drinking water is mainly made from river water. The exceedance also applies to 1 in 10 measurements of groundwater in drinking water. Groundwater is the most important source of drinking water production for the rest of the Netherlands. Total PFAS intake must be reducedThe amount of PFAS that people in the Netherlands ingest through drinking water alone is below the health-based limit value. RIVM therefore considers it responsible to continue to drink tap water. But together with food people in the Netherlands do ingest too much PFAS. In addition we also receive PFAS through the air and through consumer products. Earlier research by the RIVM showed that the concentrations of PFAS in Dutch rivers are relatively high. Relatively many PFAS are also present in some places. For example around Chemours Dordrecht and with self-caught fish shellfish and sea vegetables from the Western Scheldt. Scientific research shows that PFAS are more harmful to health than previously thought. It is therefore important that people ingest less PFAS in total. RIVM conducts research in PFAS program PFAS are found everywhere hardly break down and are difficult to remove from water and the environment. As a result they remain in our living environment for a long time to come. In the coming years RIVM will therefore conduct research into the most effective measures to reduce exposure to PFAS in the Netherlands. First the knowledge about PFAS exposure must be up to date. Subsequently it can be investigated which measures are cost effective. By monitoring this in the long term the effect of these measures can also be investigated. About PFAS PFAS are man-made substances. They do not occur naturally in food or drinking water. The substances have entered our living environment through emissions from factories and the use of products with PFAS. For example by using it in fire extinguishers. As a result PFAS have also ended up in food and drinking water. People in the Netherlands ingest more PFAS through food and drinking water than the health-based limit value. This value indicates the maximum amount a person may ingest of a substance without this having any consequences for his health. This value is used in risk assessment and has no legal status.New scientific research shows that PFAS are more harmful to health than previously thought. If people ingest small amounts of PFAS over a long period of time it can have a negative effect on the immune system. The immune system protects the body from disease. If that doesnt work as well people can get sick more quickly or more often. Whether that actually happens is impossible to say. Less PFASIt is important to ensure that less PFAS is released into the living environment. On behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management RIVM is collaborating on a European proposal to restrict the use and production of PFAS.
