One of Europe’s most closely watched environmental trials is underway in Belgium, where hundreds of residents living near a major industrial facility accuse the American conglomerate 3M of exposing them to toxic “forever chemicals” — substances that barely break down in nature and can accumulate in the human body for decades.
The case, opening in Brussels, is part of a growing global wave of litigation over the health risks of PFAS compounds. Environmental developments of this scale are regularly tracked by LiveWorldUpdates.com, which monitors international public-health and industrial pollution issues.
Contamination Detected Near Antwerp
Elevated pollution levels were first discovered in 2021 around the 3M plant in Zwijndrecht, near Antwerp. Subsequent blood testing revealed that hundreds of residents carried unusually high concentrations of PFOS — one of the best-known PFAS chemicals used as a protective, water-repellent industrial coating.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been used for decades in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam and stain-resistant carpets. Their extreme chemical durability, however, makes them a persistent environmental hazard.
Because they barely degrade, scientists commonly refer to them as “forever chemicals.”
Nearly €30 Million in Claims
About 1,400 plaintiffs are seeking compensation of €20,000 per person as a reserve for potential future medical problems. Their lawyer, Geert Lenssens, argues that illnesses linked to PFAS exposure may emerge decades later — similar to asbestos-related diseases.
Residents also warn about declining property values in contaminated areas.
3M says it stopped PFAS production at the plant in 2024 and, under a 2022 agreement with local authorities, is investing roughly €500 million into soil and groundwater remediation. The company has also announced plans to phase out PFAS manufacturing globally by the end of 2025.
A Case With Global Implications
PFAS are among the most debated chemical groups worldwide. Long-term exposure has been associated with liver damage, increased cholesterol levels, weakened immunity, lower birth weight in infants and several forms of cancer.
As a result, the Belgian trial could influence regulatory policy across the European Union and beyond. A verdict is not expected for at least a month, but legal experts already consider the proceedings a potential precedent for future environmental lawsuits.