The environment in Grindsted is not health hazardous, thinks research group.

Miljøet in Grindsted is not health hazardous, research group concludes

The researchers caution against swimming in Engsøen and using well water borings.

Grindsted Factory, which is currently owned by DuPont, was previously Danisco. The factory is located on the outskirts of Grindsted and has long been a subject of debate regarding pollution and toxic deposits in the area. (Photo: © Archive photo: Christer Holte/Commission/Ritzau Scanpix)

By Jesper Bak ([email protected]) 22 minutes ago

Is there a need for more health surveys in relation to the pollution in Grindsted?

This question has now been addressed by an expanded research group. They have reviewed the combined results of the three health surveys in the town, and their recommendations have been sent to politicians in Region Syddanmark. According to the researchers, there is no unacceptable health risk in Grindsted, as long as certain guidelines are followed.

The recommendations are endorsed by 17 researchers, while two researchers are not part of the recommendations.

The three surveys of the population's health have examined where the massive pollution from the former Grindsted Factory is located, whether there is a risk of coming into contact with it, and what it could mean for the residents' health.

Although the researchers believe that there is no "specific and unacceptable health risk" for Grindsted residents - there are still special precautions that need to be taken in the town.

Neither fishing nor swimming is allowed in Engsøen in Grindsted. However, there is no "specific and unacceptable health risk" due to the pollution from Grindsted Factory. (Photo: © Anker Poul/Ritzau Scanpix)

It is stated in the researchers' report that one should avoid using water from private well water borings for drinking, watering vegetables, or bathing. One should also avoid bathing or fishing in Engsøen. These are rules that already exist.

Read the researchers' report with recommendations. ( https://regionsyddanmark.dk/media/cekbfhzw/grindsted-opsummering-september2024-jbn.pdf )

Apart from water from well water borings, the lake, and the sea, the research group agrees that the three surveys do not raise concerns about ALS being a specific risk for the residents of Grindsted. ALS has been a focus of attention in the town in recent years.

The research group pays special attention to ALS, prostate, and thyroid gland cancer, and recommends that the region consider examining the occurrence of these diseases over the next three to five years.

Read also: New report clears Grindsted: No more disease or ALS than in other towns ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/ny-rapport-frifinder-grindsted-ikke-mere-sygdom-eller-als-end-i-andre-byer )

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Politicians must now handle the researchers' recommendations

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The researchers' recommendations are now in the hands of the politicians in Region Syddanmark and must be politically addressed.

However, the research group is not unanimous in its recommendations. Two researchers disagree with the conclusions. Regional Director Kurt Espersen does not know which researchers it is about but says that the researchers' opinion is important to be sent to the politicians.

- For us, it's important that we know that there isn't a complete consensus in the expanded research group, and that should be brought into the political process that is about to run here.

Drone image taken south of Grindsted bydelen Morsbøl Søpark and Grindsted Engsø, on Thursday, January 25, 2023. (Photo: Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix) (Photo: © Bo Amstrup, Ritzau Scanpix)

In 2022, the Regional Council in Region Syddanmark decided to commission three new health surveys in Grindsted. They were to focus on disease occurrence, public concerns, and the substances present in the environment.

This was done partly in response to criticism of a previous health survey from two ALS researchers, Claire Meehan and Aase Frandsen from the University of Copenhagen. At that time, their warnings were neither passed on to politicians nor made public.

Read also: Ketty from Grindsted is disappointed: Did not receive all the information after major health survey in the town ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/regionale/trekanten/ketty-fra-grindsted-er-skuffet-fik-ikke-alle-oplysninger-efter-stor )

According to the chairman of the Environment Committee in Region Syddanmark, Poul Erik Jensen (S), it is indeed the two ALS researchers who cannot endorse the researchers' report to the politicians. He says that it is important that they have the opportunity to express their views in the case before it is finally politically decided upon.

Politicians in the regional council are expected to take a stance on the researchers' recommendations in November. No comment has been received from Claire Meehan and Aase Frandsen.

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