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PFAS levels in Dutch blood show decline, RIVM reports
New research from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) indicates that PFAS levels in the blood of the Dutch population are declining. In 2025, 71 percent of participants exceeded the recommended health limit, a significant decrease from the 99 percent recorded in 2016 and 2017. The RIVM describes this trend as “voorzichtig positief nieuws” (cautiously positive news), noting that bans on substances like PFOS and PFOA appear to be having an effect.
However, regional disparities remain high. Concentrations are notably higher in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and around the Chemours facility in Dordrecht. Researchers also noted that the 2025 study focused on blood donors, a group that generally maintains lower PFAS levels than the general population, and that certain substances like TFA were not included in the measurements.
In response to the ongoing presence of these “forever chemicals,” medical professionals and healthcare organizations, including the Tegengif foundation, have issued a call to the Dutch government. They are advocating for a total ban on PFAS discharges and a European-wide ban. Additionally, medical experts, including professor Diederik Gommers, are urging the medical sector to transition to PFAS-free medical devices, suggesting that intensive care units could potentially become PFAS-free within a few years.
Entities
Chemours · Diederik Gommers · Dordrecht · Dunea · Greenpeace · Netherlands · RIVM · Stichting Tegengif · Zeeuws-Vlaanderen
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The substance TFA was not included in the recent PFAS measurements. www.rtvpapendrecht.nl · www.upday.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Intensive care units could potentially be PFAS-free within a few years. www.rd.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl
- [● 3 SOURCES] PFAS levels in the blood of Dutch citizens have decreased over the last decade. www.rtvpapendrecht.nl · www.manners.nl · www.upday.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] 71 percent of the Dutch population had PFAS blood levels above the health limit in 2025. www.rtvpapendrecht.nl · www.manners.nl · www.upday.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The percentage of people exceeding the PFAS health limit dropped from 99 percent in 2016/2017 to 71 percent in 2025. www.upday.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The study conducted in 2025 used blood donors, who generally have lower PFAS levels than the general population. www.rtvpapendrecht.nl · www.upday.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] PFAS concentrations are significantly higher in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and the region around the Chemours plant in Dordrecht. www.rtvpapendrecht.nl · www.upday.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Medical organizations and doctors are calling for a PFAS discharge ban and a European PFAS ban. www.rd.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl