NL Times reported that Netherlands Public Prosecution Service OM has launched a criminal investigation to determine if Tata Steel IJmuiden BV and Harsco Metals Holland BV intentionally and unlawfully released hazardous substances into the soil, air, or surface water. Doing so may have been a threat to public health. OM prosecutors said "Examining the role of executives within these companies will be part of the criminal investigation to decide criminal cases against Tata Steel, Harsco Metals, or any of their managers or executives.:” The OM's decision came after studying the complaint filed by attorney Bénédicte Ficq. The lawyer represents more than 800 people and several legal entities in the complaint against the two businesses. Last month, a report from the RIVM said that data supplied by Tata Steel about the emissions of harmful substances may not have been complete, and that high concentrations of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were measured in areas which did not match up with data from Tata Steel. The measurements of certain PAHs were about a thousand times higher than it should have been based on the company's data, while concentrations of copper, vanadium, lead, and chromium were all far higher than expected. Tata said that it would cooperate with the investigation and looks forward to the outcome with confidence. The company noted that it is currently carrying out an investment program to reduce particulate matter, heavy metals and bad odours produced by the plant." Both companies are based in Velsen, and work closely together. Tata Steel IJmuiden operates steel manufacturing facilities and Harsco Metals is a residual product processor. Steelmaking in the town dates back to 1918, when the Royal Dutch Blast Furnaces established a plant there. Tata Steel acquired the Ijmuiden plant in 2007. It directly employs around 9,000 workers, many of whom live nearby.
NL Times reported that Netherlands Public Prosecution Service OM has launched a criminal investigation to determine if Tata Steel IJmuiden BV and Harsco Metals Holland BV intentionally and unlawfully released hazardous substances into the soil, air, or surface water. Doing so may have been a threat to public health. OM prosecutors said "Examining the role of executives within these companies will be part of the criminal investigation to decide criminal cases against Tata Steel, Harsco Metals, or any of their managers or executives.:” The OM's decision came after studying the complaint filed by attorney Bénédicte Ficq. The lawyer represents more than 800 people and several legal entities in the complaint against the two businesses. Last month, a report from the RIVM said that data supplied by Tata Steel about the emissions of harmful substances may not have been complete, and that high concentrations of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were measured in areas which did not match up with data from Tata Steel. The measurements of certain PAHs were about a thousand times higher than it should have been based on the company's data, while concentrations of copper, vanadium, lead, and chromium were all far higher than expected. Tata said that it would cooperate with the investigation and looks forward to the outcome with confidence. The company noted that it is currently carrying out an investment program to reduce particulate matter, heavy metals and bad odours produced by the plant." Both companies are based in Velsen, and work closely together. Tata Steel IJmuiden operates steel manufacturing facilities and Harsco Metals is a residual product processor. Steelmaking in the town dates back to 1918, when the Royal Dutch Blast Furnaces established a plant there. Tata Steel acquired the Ijmuiden plant in 2007. It directly employs around 9,000 workers, many of whom live nearby.
