Webinar series April-May 2026 - Webinar 3 - PFAS Risk Evaluation in Soil and Excavated Materials: Science, Policy and Practice
This webinar explores how PFAS risk evaluation is carried out in soils and excavated materials in Flanders. Experts from VITO will introduce the scientific basis of PFAS norm-setting, highlight key uncertainties and sensitivities, and explain how background exposure and reuse of PFAS‑containing soil are assessed in practice. The session will also address how these scientific insights translate into policy and what this means for ongoing and future projects. Following the introduction, various stakeholders will share their perspectives to foster a constructive and nuanced dialogue on PFAS management in the field.
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Ingeborg Joris
Ingeborg Joris holds a PhD from KU Leuven and has been a researcher at VITO since 2003. As Team Leader Modeling, she specializes in assessing leaching and dispersion risks, for example regarding pesticide use and the protection of drinking water sources. Her expertise also includes establishing (PFAS) standards for the use of excavated soils, as well as risk assessments regarding the spread of soil contamination due to leaching and dispersion. With over twenty years of experience, Ingeborg plays a key role in the development of scientific methodologies and models that support evidence-based environmental policy and management. -
Kaat Touchant
Kaat Touchant graduated as a bioengineer from KU Leuven and has been working as a researcher at VITO since 2001, where she coordinates and develops research projects on soil and groundwater quality, focusing on assessing risks to human health and ecosystems. She advises the Flemish Agency for Waste Management on risk assessments regarding soil contamination and remediation, and supports the development of decision support systems. Her expertise also includes establishing soil standards using the Flemish S-Risk model, as well as deriving groundwater standards for soil policy (including for PFAS).