Pollution by a chemical plant in the Dutch town of Vlissingen was handled haphazardly by the authorities, an investigation into the 2010 case has found. Regional authorities have rejected some of the findings.
The Thermphos factory was emitting dioxins, cadmium and zinc over a populated area. The government Health Inspectorate had prompted the regional authorities to take action against the chemical plant, but for a long time nothing was done.
According to the report on the handling of the case, the provincial authorities in Zeeland apparently failed to notice the level of heavy industry in the area, and the risks posed by it. Zeeland's Royal Commissioner Karla Peijs, who is ultimately responsible, told national TV last year that she had given the company until 2015 to improve its standards.
(rk/imm)
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