In Harboøre, a small community on Denmark’s west coast, the shadow of a chemical factory has loomed for more than 70 years.
What began in the 1950s as an industrial success soon turned into one of the country’s most shocking environmental scandals.
Now TV 2 in Denmark is bringing the story to life in the four-part docudrama Giften i sandet (Poison in the Sand), premiering September 14 on TV 2 and TV 2 Play.
Dead Fish and First Alarms
The alarm first sounded in the 1950s, when local fishermen noticed fish dying near the Cheminova factory at Harboøre Tange.
Among them was Aage Hansen, known as “Rav-Aage.” He quickly realised something was wrong – but convincing the authorities would take the rest of his life.
A Toxic Threat Until this Very Day
Today, Aage’s son, Bjarne Hansen, has taken up the struggle. He fears that toxic waste buried decades ago still threatens both nature and people.
For him, this is not just about history, but about a present danger that has yet to be addressed appropriately.
The series follows Bjarne on his relentless search for answers, meeting descendants of Cheminova’s leaders and asking what the pollution has really meant for the area around Harboøre.
A Heavy Personal Price
The fight came at a cost. From the 1950s to the 1980s, Aage Hansen and his family endured ridicule, vandalism, and threats.
Many in the community depended on Cheminova for jobs and survival. The products made there supported farming worldwide – and no one wanted to lose the factory.
Through dramatisations, the series recreates the decades-long battle. The result is both a gripping family drama and a chilling portrait of how environmental disasters can shape entire regions.