There has been too much PFAS in the water of the Scheldt for years.

'In the meantime, at least 20 companies from antwerp wastewater with PFAS continue to discharge into the Scheldt. The Flemish government knows this, but does not ask questions about it. With everything we already know about the contaminated soils around chemical company 3M and with this new information, the picture of companies that discharge harmful non-degradable substances and a Flemish government that allows this to happen is increasingly emerging. This environmental scandal is getting bigger', says Green MP Mieke Schauvliege.    Schauvliege asked Environment Minister Demir which companies still discharge polluting PFAS chemicals. 'These PFAS chemicals also include PFOS, the chemicals that cause a lot of commotion in Flanders. Due to the wastewater from large companies such as BASF, Bayer, DEME, Exxonmobil, INEOS, Total and Umicore, PFAS continues to flow into the Scheldt' the Green politician knows. According to Schauvliege, the established standards have been exceeded numerous times. 'In 2016, the Flemish government found six times more PFOS in fish than was allowed. For example, values of up to 60 micrograms of PFOS per kg of body weight were measured in fish, while the European Water Framework Directive establishes a standard in Flanders of only 9.1 micrograms per kg. The average values at the various measuring locations in the Scheldt are also above the norm.' Flemish government makes it happen For Schauvliege it is clear: 'On paper everything is arranged, with European regulations and standards and Flemish translation of them, and an administration that checks and possibly raises if there are violations. But in practice, everyone - including the Flemish government - just looks away. Companies are given space to keep getting rid of while the standards are exceeded, the Flemish government moves with what the companies want.' She continued: 'We must prevent harmful non-degradable substances from entering our water, soil and air. We'll never get rid of those substances again because they don't break down naturally. And if too many toxic substances end up in the water, it should lead to fines and the permits should be reviewed. If someone drives way too fast every time, the licence will also be revoked.'  Schauvliege therefore wants to use this news to put her demand for a committee of inquiry back on the table. 'The Flemish government is too lax in discharging waste waste water that pollutes. Our health is at risk due to the continuous exposure to these substances. A committee of inquiry must investigate why the Flemish Government has handled this pollution so carelessly.'