Interview: ‘I actively engage with people - from lawyers to gardeners’
Ever since environmental chemist Chiel Jonker contributed to the Dutch TV programme Zembla, all kinds of people have wanted to talk to him as the ‘PFAS expert’. The episodes dealt with the Antwerp waste processor Indaver and the Dordrecht company Chemours, which discharge toxic PFAS waste into the air and water. The shocking information resonated with many people and set the public engagement ball rolling for Jonker. “Since then, I have been talking to all kinds of people, from local residents to members of parliament.”
Chiel Jonker is involved in so much public engagement that he has just put a list on paper for our conversation. “Otherwise I would probably forget people,” he says. He works at the Department of Toxicology. There, they teach and do research on the effects of toxic substances. Chiel has a lot of knowledge about PFAS, and there has been a lot going on about that recently. The substances do not or hardly break down in the environment, spread easily and accumulate in the human body, in animals and plants. With potentially harmful effects.
Concerned people
“A few years ago, my work consisted mainly of research and assignments,” Chiel says, meanwhile grabbing his list and reading glasses from his bag. “Important work, but now - with public engagement - I can really make a difference.” He points to his sheet. “On it are people and organisations with whom I have started discussions. The first are people living near Chemours. They are concerned and email or call with questions. Whether they can still eat the vegetables from their vegetable garden, and whether it is safe to swim in a swimming pond containing PFAS.” Chiel makes time for almost everyone - even if it’s just a few minutes. “They are people. They are angry, worried or scared. I can’t say no to that.” Also on his list: companies, farms, action groups, the province, the municipality. They all have questions for Chiel. And his list is even longer: lawyers, journalists, members of parliament and bodies such as the Inspectorate. And although Chiel talks to almost everyone, he makes extra time for these parties. “They can bring about change. It is valuable to feed them with my knowledge, with that they can make a difference.”
“Without support from my supervisor, I would have to do it secretly, in between work or in the evenings.”
Steun van leidinggevende
Support from supervisor Chiel feels grateful for his work that includes public engagement. “I had the opportunity to study PFAS for years, and now I can help people.” This is possible because of the support and back-up from his supervisor. “Otherwise, I would have to do it secretly, in between work or in the evenings. Then I definitely would not have been able to engage with so many different parties. Yesterday alone, I was called by three journalists: EenVandaag, the Keuringsdienst van Waarde and the Telegraaf. That takes time. But my supervisor is supportive, even if it means I get less time for other tasks. She considers public engagement an essential part of our department’s work. In that respect, we are on the same page.”
Dr Chiel Jonker is senior researcher, associate professor and consultant at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Text: Rosan Reusken