Biomonitoring - HVC Groep

We have measurements taken of the harmful emissions from our plant. Not only do we constantly monitor most of the emissions ourselves, an independent firm takes samples of some substances four times a year.

To measure the possible impact of our waste-to-energy plant in Alkmaar on agricultural products in the vicinity, we have implemented a so-called biomonitoring programme. In May 2008 we presented the results of 15 years of biomonitoring. These showed that our activities have not affected the quality of the products examined. 

Fit for consumption
Taking all the results into consideration, and despite the variation inherent in measurements of biological material, the picture that emerges is consistent. The vast majority of the measurements in the various crops and products corresponded to national or regional background levels. Required standards for consumption of crops and cow’s milk were not exceeded. Emissions from the plant had had no demonstrable effect on the quality of crops and products in the vicinity of the plant. 

Emissions
During the preparations for construction of the waste-to-energy plant in Alkmaar in 1991, the farmers in the surrounding area were understandably concerned about the future impact of emissions from the plant on the quality of their products. These concerns were fuelled by the unduly high emissions of dioxins from some waste incinerators in the late 1980s.

Sampling locations
To counter these concerns, the company started a programme of biomonitoring in consultation with the then agricultural board. This programme makes it possible to measure the effect of the plant on agricultural products in the vicinity, and to determine whether it adversely affects these products. Crops, such as gladioli, curly kale and spinach, grown at sampling locations and cow’s milk from the vicinity of the waste-to-energy plant in Alkmaar are regularly analyzed and compared with the composition of reference products, national background levels and the legally required standards.

Joint committee
Implementation of the biomonitoring programme has been contracted out to the firm of Haskoning in Nijmegen and Wageningen University’s Institute for Plant Research International in Wageningen, and is monitored by a joint committee including representatives of the farmers’ organization LTO-Noord. The committee meets once or twice a year to discuss the results of the programme and suggest possible improvements. 

Too much traffic and industry
As the plant in Dordrecht is located in a highly urbanized area with much traffic and industrial activity the method is not applied there. A biomonitoring programme in Dordrecht would not really provide relevant information on the impact of emissions from the plant on crops in the area.