Hazardous steel slag present in at least 216 locations; Twice as many as expected
There are at least 216 locations in the Netherlands where steel slag has been used, NU.nl and Investico found after researching tips from readers. That is nearly twice as many as the 115 locations their first investigation revealed. The locations include footpaths, road foundations, a noise barrier, a small beach in Zeeland, and several hiking trails in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.
According to the investigators, the overview of 216 steel slag sites is still far from complete. Many of the tips they received could not be verified.
Steel slag is a residual product from steel manufacturers, like Tata Steel. It consists of stony material loaded with heavy metals like chromium, vanadium, barium, nickel, and lead. It also contains lime, which has a very high pH and can cause health problems like eye irritation or nosebleeds with direct contact. If rain or groundwater comes into contact with steel slag, it can affect the acidity of the water and soil and release heavy metals.
Current regulations are insufficient to prevent soil contamination from steel slag, experts recently told parliament, following earlier warnings from regulators. An overview published by caretaker State Secretary Thierry Aartsen (Environment) last month showed that the government relaxed the environmental standards in the past to allow the continued use of steel slag. Aartsen said he would now work on stricter regulations for the use of building materials in soil.
Environmental regulators have been pushing for years for the government to oblige construction companies to report their use of steel slag. Under pressure from parliament, the Ministry has now imposed a temporary ban on most applications of steel slag and is working on longer-term regulations.
A growing number of Dutch municipalities are not waiting for the national government and are introducing their own steel slag regulations. Some municipalities in Noord-Holland have implemented mandatory reporting requirements for steel slag. Beverwijk, located right next to the Tata Steel Plant, completely banned the material last week.
