4 questions to understand “eternal pollutants”

We are talking more and more about perfluorides, these highly toxic chemical molecules that pollute the soil, water and air in the south of the Lyon area. Public authorities have just confirmed that it is found in the soil and in the air. What are we talking about ? What are they for ? What health risks ? A video to understand everything.

The south of Lyon would be the area most polluted by perfluorides in France. These are the conclusions of a survey by Le Monde on these eternal pollutants, mapping all the contaminated sites on a European scale. Ten months after the revelation of this vast health scandal, thehe public authorities have just confirmed the presence of these pollutants in the air and soil around Pierre-Bénite by official figures.

But what are these “eternal pollutants”? Where are they found in the environment? What is their impact on health? Video explanations.

New results

It is found in the soil, air, drinking water, water from the Rhône, vegetables and even eggs. The latest analyzes were published yesterday, February 23. They attest to the presence of certain molecules in the atmosphere, already revealed by an independent investigation. “The main compounds found are 6:2 FTS and PFHxA, especially in the direct vicinity of the industrial platform, consistent with the current use of PFAS »can we read on the DREAL website.

Same observation in soils. “On Pierre-Bénite, very localized exceedances of the available European reference values ​​are observed on certain PFAS (in particular PFNA and PFUnDA), particularly in the immediate vicinity of the industrial platform (Brotillon sector). These data do not call, in the state of national regulations and given the low risk of exposure, specific recommendations at the local level. is it still written.

Furthermore, we have known for several months that more than 200,000 people are affected by the pollution of drinking water, the values ​​are twice as high as the future European standard of 100 ng/L for the sum of 20 PFAS.

What are we talking about ?

In eggs, the levels found are up to 16 times higher than European regulations. Health authorities advise not to consume them.

Last November, 22 vegetables were sampled by the Regional Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (Draaf) in western Lyon, irrigated by a catchment of water from the Rhône. Carrots, tomatoes and salads in which the presence of the four most dangerous perfluorinated compounds for health, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS, has been detected.

In this regard, the Confédération Paysanne encourages farmers to refuse any control as long as no protection or legal framework is put in place by the prefecture. “There is a great risk that we will be stigmatized or even banned from selling our products, without any possible compensation. Even though we are not the source of this pollution”, deplores the agricultural union in a press release. He also asks that the names and communes of the peasants be anonymized to avoid any stigmatization.

The new analysis campaigns should begin this summer, particularly on fruit and potatoes.

What are the health effects?

Kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, cholesterol, the list of diseases that PFAS could cause is long and worrying. These molecules are also suspected of interfering with all endocrine systems (thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, etc.).

“ Once accumulated in the body, pregnant women transmit these molecules to their children during pregnancy and then through breastfeeding. The newborn could then end up with blood levels ten times higher than those of his mother. explains Philippe Grandjean, professor of toxicology at Harvard University.

And if there is no threshold from which it can be said that exposure to PFAS becomes dangerous, there are nevertheless more and more recommendations, emanating from scientists, reports but also from various authorities. In Europe, for example, the EFSA has established a weekly tolerable zone (DHT) of 4.4 ng per kilo of body weight per week (for the sum of 4 PFAS).

Since the beginning of this health scandal, residents, elected officials and associations are still waiting for the public authorities to take blood samples to assess the impregnation of the population.