Toxicologist finds hormone disruptor in Tomorrowland main stage debris
A toxicologist has found a hormone-disrupting substance toxic to the liver in the remains of the burnt-down Tomorrowland main stage, according to a VRT NWS report. The festival organisers said that all necessary safety measures had been taken, dismissing the report as "scaremongering".
The main stage of the dance festival in Belgium burned down ten days ago, just before the festival was due to start. The stage had been built using materials including polystyrene foam, plywood, and insulating polyurethane foam. At the request of VRT NWS, toxicologist Jan Tytgat examined the debris found in the area and detected the presence of bisphenol A.
Bisphenol A causes skin problems, lung irritation, and is toxic to the liver
Bisphenol A is a hormone disruptor, but it is not carcinogenic. It can cause skin problems and lung irritation, however, and is toxic to the liver. Tytgat advised that anyone finding debris or ash particles should seal them in a bag while wearing gloves and a face mask, before removing them.
Safety measures
To Tytgat, the fact that the festival audience is continuing to party in the vicinity of the debris is "not ideal". "In the event of a fire of this magnitude, you should actually keep people away, clean everything up properly, and cover everything thoroughly, just to be on the safe side," he told VRT NWS.
In a statement, the Tomorrowland organisers said that all necessary safety measures had been taken. "After the fire, measurements were immediately carried out by independent experts and authorised agencies," they said.
"To date, there has been no indication of any health risk"
"The area around the main stage has been thoroughly cleaned and remains completely cordoned off to this day. The remaining parts of the stage are continuously misted to prevent dust spreading and are under constant surveillance. To date, there has been no indication of any health risk," said the organisers.
'Scaremongering'
Tomorrowland has dismissed the report as "scaremongering" based on speculation. 'We regret that some academics are expressing their opinions without ever having visited the site, contacted the relevant government agencies, or approached us as the organiser directly."
"Furthermore, we are unaware of the samples they examined or the methods they used for their research. Safety is, and will always be, our highest priority. We make every effort to act in a transparent, correct and responsible manner," they said.
#FlandersNewsService | The Tomorrowland festival site on 17 July 2025, one day after a major fire destroyed the main stage © BELGA PHOTO STRINGER
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