How criminology can support environmental health: the case of PFAS

Lieselot Bisschop; Yogi Hendlin

doi:10.1186/s12940-025-01214-2

How criminology can support environmental health: the case of PFAS

Lieselot Bisschop^*
, Yogi Hendlin

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/Letter to the editor › Academic › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

70 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This commentary argues that the field of criminology can aid in addressing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution, providing levers to achieve public health aims of drastically lowering and abating new PFAS emissions while addressing historic exposure. Based on a European example of the large DuPont de Nemours (now Chemours) industrial facility in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, we frame the history of PFAS exposures as a crime. We discuss how PFAS pollution emerged in part due to knowledge asymmetries, perpetuated by the close alignment of corporate and governmental interests, and the fragmentation of regulatory enforcement, both historic and contemporary.

Original language	English
Article number	59
Journal	Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source
Volume	24
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-025-01214-2
Publication status	Published - 20 Aug 2025

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Research programs

SAI 2005-04 MSS

Erasmus Sectorplan

Sector plan Recht-Public and Private Interests

Access to Document

10.1186/s12940-025-01214-2Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Bisschop_et_al-2025-Environmental_HealthFinal published version, 591 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "How criminology can support environmental health: the case of PFAS",

abstract = "This commentary argues that the field of criminology can aid in addressing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution, providing levers to achieve public health aims of drastically lowering and abating new PFAS emissions while addressing historic exposure. Based on a European example of the large DuPont de Nemours (now Chemours) industrial facility in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, we frame the history of PFAS exposures as a crime. We discuss how PFAS pollution emerged in part due to knowledge asymmetries, perpetuated by the close alignment of corporate and governmental interests, and the fragmentation of regulatory enforcement, both historic and contemporary.",

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T2 - the case of PFAS

AU - Bisschop, Lieselot

AU - Hendlin, Yogi

PY - 2025/8/20

Y1 - 2025/8/20

N2 - This commentary argues that the field of criminology can aid in addressing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution, providing levers to achieve public health aims of drastically lowering and abating new PFAS emissions while addressing historic exposure. Based on a European example of the large DuPont de Nemours (now Chemours) industrial facility in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, we frame the history of PFAS exposures as a crime. We discuss how PFAS pollution emerged in part due to knowledge asymmetries, perpetuated by the close alignment of corporate and governmental interests, and the fragmentation of regulatory enforcement, both historic and contemporary.

AB - This commentary argues that the field of criminology can aid in addressing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution, providing levers to achieve public health aims of drastically lowering and abating new PFAS emissions while addressing historic exposure. Based on a European example of the large DuPont de Nemours (now Chemours) industrial facility in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, we frame the history of PFAS exposures as a crime. We discuss how PFAS pollution emerged in part due to knowledge asymmetries, perpetuated by the close alignment of corporate and governmental interests, and the fragmentation of regulatory enforcement, both historic and contemporary.

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U2 - 10.1186/s12940-025-01214-2

DO - 10.1186/s12940-025-01214-2

M3 - Comment/Letter to the editor

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SN - 1476-069X

VL - 24

JO - Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

JF - Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

IS - 1

M1 - 59

ER -

How criminology can support environmental health: the case of PFAS

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Research programs

Erasmus Sectorplan

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Symposium: Van Schade naar Herstel

Historical PFAS pollution as a state-facilitated corporate crime. Case-study of Dordrecht Works DuPont de Nemours/Chemours Dordrecht the Netherlands

Cite this

How criminology can support environmental health: the case of PFAS

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Research programs

Erasmus Sectorplan

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Activities

Symposium: Van Schade naar Herstel

Historical PFAS pollution as a state-facilitated corporate crime. Case-study of Dordrecht Works DuPont de Nemours/Chemours Dordrecht the Netherlands

Cite this