The Dutch Health and Environment Ministry has said it is very concerned about a factory in the city of Vlissingen (Flushing) which is ejecting huge quantities of dioxins.
Responding to a report by public broadcaster NOS, the government's Health Inspectorate confirmed that it will take action against the Zeeland provincial government if it keeps failing to act against the phosphorus-making Thermphos plant. Exposure to dioxins can cause severe, possibly lethal, health problems.
The parties involved appear to be in a deadlock: Thermphos has written a plan to tackle the pollution it causes but says the authorities should give it more time. When asked about this, a member of the provincial government says it's up to Royal Commissioner Karla Peijs to lay down the law; she was not available for comment on Wednesday, the ANP news agency reported on Thursday.
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
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