In response to an article in NRC stating that eggs from privately raised chickens near the Cemours chemical plant contained high levels of hazardous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), BuRo launched an investigation. Curiously, it focused only on whether the level of PFAS in relevant eggs was harmful, distinguishing between private eggs and commercial eggs. Since PFAS are man-made substances, as at chemical plant Cemours and do not occur naturally in the environment, it is strange that the cause was not included in the investigation.
In support of the article published on 31 August 2023, NRC itself had eggs from private individuals analysed by the Free University (VU) in Amsterdam. The eggs came from three private individuals, three petting farms and three outlets (not further defined) within a six-kilometre radius of the Chemours chemical plant in South Holland South. According to NRC, consumption of these eggs would lead to health risks.
According to the NVWA, eggs from private chickens do not fall under its supervision because these eggs are not marketed for commercial sale. Nevertheless, the NVWA's Bureau of Risk Assessment & Research (BuRO) investigated this signal further.
BuRO formulated the following broader research question: Is there a risk to the health of Dutch consumers if they are exposed to PFAS over a prolonged period of time through the consumption of eggs from private chickens?
The results of the study show that the weekly PFAS intake from the consumption of eggs from individuals greatly exceeds the health-based limit (i.e. the maximum safe intake).
The ratio of the total weekly PFAS intake by children and adults through the consumption of eggs from privately farmed chickens to the maximum safe intake is between 2.7 and 102. This means that the weekly PFAS intake through consumption of these eggs can lead to health risks over a longer period of time. This does not apply to the consumption of commercial eggs.
The total PFAS intake of Dutch consumers is too high, according to RIVM. In line with recent studies on PFAS levels in consumer eggs around Chemours and 3M (Belgium), analysis by BuRO shows no clear relationship between PFAS contamination in eggs from individuals and a known source of contamination.
BuRo's research shows that commercial eggs are healthy and that you can't trust (all?) private eggs. Strange that there is no mention of possible sources of contamination.
Based on the conclusions of the risk assessment, BuRO advises the Minister for Medical Care to ask the Food Centre to inform consumers about the potential public health risks of PFAS from private eggs. It is also advised to initiate additional (international) research on PFAS levels in private eggs with specific attention to possible sources.
As of January 2023, maximum levels (MLs) for PFAS in meat, fish and eggs are in force. These MLs are laid down in EU Regulation 2023/915 (formerly EU Reg 1881/2006)4. As a result, as of 2023, analyses of PFAS (in eggs, among others) are included in the NVWA's (mandatory) national monitoring plan for contaminants.
