The state is spending 100 million to contain the toxic substances from agricultural pesticides.

The Midtjylland region has begun encapsulating the heavily contaminated factory site where Cheminova produced pesticides from 1953 to 1962. The work is being carried out by Arkil A/S and is expected to be completed in October. The project is financed by the state with up to 100 million Danish kroner. This is stated by the region in a press release. The extensive pollution is mainly due to the production of pesticides for agriculture. At the factory, insecticide Parathion – known as Bladan – as well as mercury-containing wood preservatives were produced. Both types of pesticides have left a legacy of toxic substances, which still pose a risk to the environment more than 60 years after production on the site ceased. One of Denmark’s most serious soil contaminations Cheminova’s old factory site is now considered one of Denmark’s ten most serious soil contaminations. In addition to mercury, large amounts of pesticide residues are found in the soil, and authorities assess that the pollution could spread to the surrounding water environment if not contained. The solution now involves a 750-meter-long steel sheet pile wall, which is driven 13-15 meters into the ground and encloses the most contaminated part of the factory area. "With the encapsulation of the pollution on the old factory site, we gain solid and secure control to prevent chemicals from spreading to the surroundings. At the same time, we take an important step towards a proper cleanup of the site," says Regional Council Chairman Anders G. Christensen (V). The problem is encapsulated Region Midtjylland emphasizes that the sheet pile wall does not remove the contamination. It is solely intended to prevent the toxic substances from continuing to seep out. A full cleanup is still estimated to cost several billion kroner, and funding for that task has not yet been secured. "Right now, it’s about securing a safe and durable containment of the pollution while we continue working on a long-term solution. We cannot wait to protect the surroundings until the entire site can be cleaned up," says Per Møller Jensen (S), Chairman of the Regional Development Committee. The pollution at Harboøre Tange is one of the most prominent examples of the environmental consequences left by the intensive production of chemical pesticides for agriculture in Denmark. The factory site is one of three so-called generational contaminations at Harboøre Tange – contaminations so extensive that they will cost well over 50 million kroner to manage. Pesticide production still ongoing Although the old factory site is now to be encapsulated, pesticide production is not history. Cheminova was acquired in 2015 by the American FMC Corporation, which continues to produce plant protection products for agriculture. The company still markets pesticides globally, and several active substances sold outside Europe are not approved for use within the EU. The debate over the export of pesticides banned in Europe has therefore continued to attract criticism from environmental organizations and politicians.