rssSep 17, 2026, 04:00

Schiphol begins cleaning 200,000 tons of contaminated soil in PFAS 'car wash'

Schiphol Airport has launched an on-site soil cleaning facility to treat 200,000 tons of earth contaminated with PFAS from historical firefighting foam. The installation washes the soil to extract pollutants, allowing for the potential reuse of most of the treated material in future construction projects.

Schiphol Airport has officially begun operations at its new on-site soil cleaning facility, aimed at treating 200,000 tons of earth contaminated with PFAS. The contamination stems from historical use of firefighting foam during training exercises and past incidents. This installation, located on the airport's northern grounds near Badhoevedorp, utilizes a water-based washing process to remove and isolate the hazardous substances. The airport expects that approximately 160,000 tons of the treated soil can be safely reused for future construction projects, while the remaining residue will be processed by external specialists.

The project follows years of environmental concerns and protests from local residents regarding the long-term storage of polluted soil. While some community leaders have expressed optimism regarding the independent monitoring of the site, others remain cautious about potential health risks and the proximity of the facility to residential areas. Airport officials and independent experts maintain that the cleaning process is controlled and that risks associated with the dispersion of contaminants are being actively mitigated through strict operational protocols.

Business Technology Health Netherlands World

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Brussels approves Chinese takeover of MediaMarkt parent company

The European Commission has approved the 2.2 billion euro acquisition of Ceconomy, the parent company of MediaMarkt, by the Chinese firm JD.com. Regulators cleared the deal after JD.com agreed to oversight measures to prevent potential market distortion from Chinese government subsidies.

Danish supplier is the common denominator behind the warming cooling systems

A cyberattack on refrigeration systems supplied by the Danish company Danfoss has disrupted operations at various European supermarkets and businesses. European officials are investigating the incident as a deliberate attempt to interfere with the continent's food supply, while the company maintains that users failed to update vulnerable software.

Mystery surrounds hacked supermarket cooling systems: 'Who stands to gain?'

Supermarket cooling systems across Europe were targeted by a cyberattack that remotely disabled temperature controls, leading to widespread food spoilage and significant financial losses. Security experts remain uncertain about the perpetrators' motives, as the systems were vulnerable due to outdated security protocols and direct internet access.

Dutch people in Silicon Valley also feel impact of Donald Trump’s policies: 'Tariffs are very chaotic'

Dutch expatriates working in Silicon Valley have expressed concerns regarding the unpredictable policies of Donald Trump, citing chaotic trade tariffs and sudden budget freezes. As the midterm elections approach, these professionals continue to navigate the professional challenges posed by the current administration's political climate.

The nonsense that you can smoke more healthily has to end

Criminal charges have been filed against Philip Morris ten years after the tobacco industry first faced accusations regarding deceptive cigarette marketing. The legal action alleges that the company continues to engage in fraudulent practices by misleading consumers about the health risks of smoking.