Landslide at Nordic Waste raises concerns over kitchen garden safety in Ølst

Following the significant landslide at Nordic Waste near Ølst, concerns quickly arose regarding potential contamination of local kitchen gardens with toxic substances. Over the past few months, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has analyzed samples from five vegetable gardens growing asparagus, lettuce, tomatoes, and potatoes. The Nordic Waste incident has worried many residents of Ølst, prompting them to reach out to local authorities for clarity on the safety of their homegrown produce.

Jan Jensen, a local gardener who provided 500 grams of asparagus for testing, expressed fears that the contaminated soil and dust in the area might lead to serious health issues like cancer or allergies. However, Henrik Dammand Nielsen, head of chemistry and food quality at the administration, reassured residents that the results have not raised any alarm.

Nielsen emphasized that the five gardens were selected in consultation with Randers Municipality, considering their risk from passing trucks transporting contaminated soil and airborne toxins from the landfill. The tests focused on harmful micro-fillers, PFAS, and several metals, including lead, copper, nickel, arsenic, chromium, and zinc — substances that could potentially leach into the soil and be absorbed by crops.

Despite previous assessments suggesting a long-term risk from toxic substances, Nielsen noted that current findings indicate either no contamination or only trace levels, similar to what may be found in other areas. Residents like Jan Jensen, who works at Aarhus University, expressed relief that they can safely resume consuming their homegrown vegetables. However, he still advocates for ongoing health assessments to gauge any potential risks to the community.