Asbestos-containing material found in Soesterberg residential area

Update Monday 16 March 3.00 PM

Over the past few days, we have conducted research into the asbestos-containing material. There is no acute health risk. The measures we have been communicating since Friday night remain sufficient to prevent spread.

What is the situation now?

• We know which streets contain asbestos-containing material. These are the homes of Vesteda, between Vliegtuiglaan and Oude Tempellaan.
• In some places, we are placing barrier tape for precaution, such as near the playground.
• Do you live in the affected area? Do not rake or spade your garden for the time being. And do not use a leaf blower.
• Do you live in the surrounding streets? Avoid the contaminated streets as much as possible.
• Vesteda informs tenants themselves about the cleaning schedule.
• No concrete arrangements have been made about the cleaning yet; tenants of Vesteda will be informed as soon as this is the case. You can also contact Vesteda via

Basisschool De Startbaan is not a polling station on Wednesday

Alternative locations in Soesterberg include: De Banninghal, De Drie Eiken, Vredekerk, De Basis, and the Nationaal Militair Museum.

Update 15 March 6.00 PM

• Yesterday, we already knew that the asbestos-containing material is only located in the area with the homes of Vesteda, between Vliegtuiglaan and Oude Tempellaan. The surrounding streets are not contaminated.
• Now it appears that it is not only in the public space and front gardens but also in the back gardens. Therefore, the advice is: do not rake, spade, or blow leaves in your garden. Wait with this until the cleaning (remediation) is complete.
• The schools in the vicinity have been informed. They will contact parents about any possible measures regarding shoes.
• We are consulting with Vesteda to start the cleaning of the area as soon as possible. As soon as we know more, we will inform the residents.
• Below you can read how to prevent the spread of asbestos.

Update 14 March 6.30 PM

In various places in the area ( see the website of the safety region ), researchers found asbestos today. On the public road and in the front gardens of the houses. This concerns only the area near the rental homes of Vesteda.

There is no acute health hazard.

It is bound asbestos. This does not spread through the air. The asbestos is processed bitumen. It has ended up on the street in small, black pieces of approximately 1 cm. It is a rubbery substance that can also stick to shoes. There is no acute health hazard. It is important to prevent the spread of asbestos.

How do you prevent the spread of asbestos?

• Put on and take off your shoes outside, or rinse them off before you go inside.
• Avoid the area as indicated on the attached map and try not to drive or walk through the bitumen.
• Do not clean the surroundings of your house yourself. Just leave the pieces lying there. A specialized company will come to clean up the bitumen.
• If you have accidentally touched suspicious material, wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap.
• If your pets may have been in contact, check their paws and clean them if necessary.
• These guidelines apply to the public road, the front gardens, and the back gardens (the landlord of the homes will examine the back gardens for the presence of asbestos in the short term).

Do you want more information?

We keep you informed on this webpage. On Saturday, 14 March during the day, the telephone information point of the municipality was also available. Because no phone calls came in and we see that this webpage is well visited, we would like to keep you informed via this page. For more information about asbestos and health, visit the website ggdleefomgeving.nl(Links to an external website)

Can the municipality say more about the cause?

No, not yet. On Friday, 13 March in the afternoon, the municipality was notified of the contamination. We first focus on determining the spread area and arranging the cleaning.

Update 14 March 5.00 PM

The telephone information point of the municipality is closed for today from 5.00 PM. No phone calls have been received with questions about the asbestos spread.

We keep you informed on this webpage if there are any new developments.

Update 14 March 1.00 PM

• The inventory in the affected area is still ongoing. We expect the results in the evening. If we can say more about this, we will share it here.
• There are text barriers in the area.
• We understand that residents have questions. Residents in the affected area received a letter last night about the asbestos spread. And how they can deal with it. Do you have questions for the municipality? Or do you want to report something to us about the asbestos spread? Then you can call us on Saturday, 14 March until 5.00 PM at number 035-609 34 11.
• Do you want to know how you as a resident should act. Then read the text below.

Update 14 March 8.30 AM

What does the asbestos look like? What should you as a neighborhood resident in the area pay attention to?

They are black pieces of approximately 1 cm. It is a black rubbery substance that can also stick to shoes.

We understand that residents have questions. We are now conducting an inventory. As soon as we know more, you can read it on this website.

During work, 'asbestos-containing bitumen' was released that is processed in the roofs. This concerns bound asbestos that does not spread through the air but is processed in the bitumen. There is no acute health hazard. It is important to prevent the spread of asbestos in the area.

Courses of action

For neighbors: try not to walk or drive over the pieces. A special company will come to clean up the pieces of bitumen. Until the area is clean again, follow the following advice:

• Put on and take off your shoes outside, or rinse them off before you go inside.
• Avoid the area as indicated on the attached map and try not to drive or walk through the bitumen.
• A specialized company will determine the spread area and come to clean up the bitumen.
• Do not clean the surroundings of your house yourself. Just leave the pieces lying there.
• If you have accidentally touched suspicious material, wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap.
• If your pets may have been in contact, check their paws and clean them if necessary.

Visit the website ggdleefomgeving.nl for more information.

Frequently asked questions about asbestos and health

On the website ggdleefomgeving.nl you will find more information about asbestos and health,

The exact location in Soesterberg

Location: Rumpler and Farman, surrounding streets: Vliegtuiglaan, Oude Tempellaan Kamerlingh Onneslaan.

See the map on the website of the VRU.