Dordrecht council is investigating whether hemp has a role in removing PFAS pollution close to the Chemours factory on the edge of the city.

Experiments are already underway in Antwerp and Dordrecht is keen to join in the trial, the AD reported on Monday. A similar trial using weed is also being looked at and in both cases, city officials say Chemours should pick up the bill.

“Our residents should live in a healthy and safe environment,” the city’s management board said in answer to questions from VVD councillors. “This means that residents can count on our full commitment to take advantage of new opportunities to tackle PFAS pollution in the environment.”

PFAS are known as forever chemicals because they do not degrade. They are widespread in the environment and have been linked to several serious diseases.

Hemp grows quickly and has deep roots, which also take in PFAS. The chemicals are then stored in the plant’s leaves which can be burned, while the stalks are PFAS-free and can be used as building material.

The universities of Hasselt and Ghent are involved in the Belgian trials, which are also being extended to Luxembourg.  “We will shortly get in touch with them and asses if there are suitable PFAS-polluted locations in Dordrecht to widen their research,” the mayor and officials said.

Last year Chemours agreed to set up a fund that the city council could access to pay for clean-up operations.

Experiments using hemp to clean up pollution in the US are also taking place.