Eleven campaign groups, including the fire brigade union, have joined forces to take the government to court for failing to prevent pollution from chemical compounds known as PFAS.

The case, due to start on August 7, says the government has “failed in its duty of care for Dutch citizens, animals and the environment by showing major shortcomings in protecting them against PFAS pollution”. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) do not occur in the environment naturally but are found in various products, including non-stick coatings and food packaging materials. They are also used in pesticides.

The case marks the first time the government has faced legal action in connection with the forever chemicals but not the first mass case to focus on PFAS. 

Last year lawyer Bénédicte Ficq opened legal proceedings against all managers of Teflon factory Chemours since 1962 for allegedly knowingly releasing PFAS into the environment for years.

Ficq is representing at least 2,700 complainants who support the accusation of “deliberate and illegal” pollution of groundwater, air and soil, specifically through releasing the carcinogens PFOA and GenX.

Dordrecht, where Chemours is located, and nearby Sliedrecht, Papendrecht and Molenlanden have also started proceedings against Chemours, for damage done to the environment by the discharge of PFAS.

Earlier this year it emerged that PFAS-contaminated eggs are being found far away from the Dordrecht region where the chemical factory Chemours is based, suggesting pollution with the complex group of harmful chemicals is much more widespread than previously thought.

The EU plans to stop the use of PFAS chemicals in many industries but not their inclusion in pesticides.