Helsingør Municipality suspects Accoat of PFAS emissions in Kvistgård, Denmark

Helsingør Municipality suspects a Teflon factory in the small town of Kvistgård, North Zealand, of polluting the air with PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals.” The municipality plans to demand that Accoat, the company in question, conduct PFAS measurements of emissions from its chimneys. Center manager Nikolaj Hvingtoft Hansen expressed a need to determine whether PFAS is being released in the smoke and if it could potentially pose health risks.

Accoat specializes in making metal components resistant to acid and heat, employing a process where PFAS-containing powder is sprayed on the metal and then baked in large ovens at high temperatures. The municipality has a “strong suspicion” that PFAS chemicals are being emitted from the factory’s chimneys and is questioning the adequacy of the smoke filtration systems currently in place.

Local residents have long voiced concerns about possible contamination from the factory, particularly due to the proximity of a school and a residential area. Experts believe PFAS measurements of the factory’s air discharges are a critical necessity, as these chemicals do not break down and can persist indefinitely in the environment.

Accoat, which has used PFAS chemicals for decades, indicates it complies with existing regulations and expresses intentions to transition to PFAS-free products. As authorities investigate the issue, they reassure residents that tap water remains safe to drink because it originates from different sources and is regularly tested for PFAS.

The municipality is assessing whether past groundwater contamination can be attributed to Accoat, which could lead to the company being held responsible for remediation. Additionally, a group of concerned local citizens has initiated an informal survey to track cases of PFAS-related health issues in the area.