this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2023
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This is the best summary I could come up with:
The Dutch government has warned people to stop children and pets swallowing foam at the seaside, after a study showed “forever chemicals” were concentrated in the spume.
After research into foam at the Belgian seaside showing a concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – used widely for their waterproofing qualities but difficult to destroy – the Dutch public health institute RIVM measured the coast in Zeeland, north and south Holland in April and August.
PFAS synthetic chemicals have been linked with toxic effects on the human immune system, certain cancers, fertility issues and risks for wildlife.
“It is sensible to have a shower after swimming, wash your hands before eating, and not to let children and pets swallow any sea foam,” said the minister of water management, Mark Harbers, in a parliamentary briefing on Tuesday.
The RIVM said in a press release that it was unclear what the presence of the chemicals in foam meant “for the health of … swimmers, surfers, or people walking on the beach” due to a lack of data on exposure and acceptable risk levels.
Last year, the RIVM notes, the Dutch government tightened drinking water limits for PFAS after they were found to be “more dangerous for health than previously thought”.
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