RIVM Report
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has recently conducted research on the question of how much PFAS are present in fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, and how often adults can consume these products from the Western Scheldt. PFAS are human-made chemicals known for their harmful impact on both humans and the environment. Due to their persistent presence and accumulation, even at very low levels, they cause significant damage. They are linked to a wide range of health issues, including thyroid abnormalities, immune system disruptions, and various forms of cancer.
The calculations by RIVM show that adults can only consume a limited amount of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans from the Western Scheldt:
Flounder: a maximum of two times per year
- Sea bass: one to six times per year
- Smelt: two to fifteen times per year
- Whiting: four to nineteen times per year
- Shrimp: five to six times per year
- Oysters and mussels: seven times per year up to two times per week
It is peculiar that RIVM applies a wide range for certain species, particularly oysters and mussels. There is quite a difference between seven times per year and two times per week (which adds up to 104 times per year). The difference is likely explained by the variation in the PFAS levels observed in different samples taken by the RIVM. Those who want to be on the safe side must adhere to the maximum of seven times per year.
Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that RIVM’s research did not account for the additional PFAS ingestion pathways through which people are exposed. RIVM states that they only calculated how much PFAS people can ingest through products from the Western Scheldt. But people in the Netherlands also receive these substances through other food products and drinking water, causing them to ingest more than the health-based limit. Therefore, it is important not to consume too much of products with high PFAS concentrations, such as fish and shellfish from the Western Scheldt.
This means that someone who eats two portions of flounder is already at the upper limit of the amount of PFAS an adult can consume in an entire year. To ensure that this person does not exceed the maximum limit, they must make sure that the hundreds of other meals they consume throughout the year do not contain PFAS. The same applies to drinking water. This is practically impossible.