Starting Wednesday, November 13, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) will begin field research near the landfill site on Bonaire. The Environmental Incident Service (MOD) is coming to the island to investigate possible contamination in the surrounding area.
Recent concerns from local residents triggered the need for a closer look. The investigation will not include air quality measurements, as previously suggested. Instead, the focus is on what may have already settled into the soil and vegetation from the air.
The RIVM will collect samples from several locations around the landfill, sweeping up dust and gathering soil and plant material. These samples will be analyzed in the Netherlands for harmful substances such as dioxins, heavy metals, and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).
The goal is to assess whether these substances pose health or environmental risks to nearby communities. Once the results are available, they will be shared with the public.
