Concerns Rise Over Pesticide Traces in Children Near La Rochelle
Recent analyses have uncovered alarming traces of pesticides, including some banned substances, in the bodies of dozens of children living in close proximity to agricultural fields around La Rochelle. The findings, released by the association Santé Avenir Environnement during the La Rochelle Appeal march aimed at advocating for a "plan to phase out synthetic pesticides," have raised significant health concerns among families in the region.
The study, which examined 72 children aged between 3 and 17 from six municipalities on the Aunis plain, revealed that fourteen different pesticide molecules were detected in the urine samples, with an average of 1.8 substances per child. Notably, pentachlorophenol (PCP), an insecticide, was found in nearly half of the children tested. Additionally, two fungicides, propamocarb and phenyl-2-phenol, were identified in a significant portion of the samples, affecting 34.7% and 26.4% of the children respectively.
In terms of hair analysis, researchers found a total of 45 different substances, averaging 4.4 substances per child, with the most affected child having ten different pesticide residues. The insecticide DEET was the most prevalent, detected in 86.1% of the children, followed by piperonyl butoxide and azoxystrobin. Alarmingly, neonicotinoids, known for their adverse effects on neurological development, were found at elevated levels in 11 children, despite being banned since 2013 and 2018.
The study also highlighted the presence of atrazine, a herbicide banned since 2004, and dieldrin, an insecticide banned since the 1970s, both of which are known for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks.
In the Aunis plain, there have been 15 recorded cases of pediatric cancer since 2008, leading to two fatalities, further intensifying the calls for action from concerned parents and health advocates. Franck Rinchet-Girollet, the founder of the association and a parent of a child in remission from cancer, expressed frustration over the lack of response from public health authorities, urging for a thorough investigation into the pesticide exposure and its potential link to the rising cancer cases in the area.
