In the Paris region, health authorities advise against eating eggs from private farms due to excessive soil contamination with per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS). The health authority ARS announced on Monday that eating fruit and vegetables from one’s own garden and gardening itself can pose a health risk to people in the region.
The warning mainly concerns children and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Eggs from professional farming that are supplied to retailers are not covered by the warning because chickens there are exposed to less contaminated soil.
25 private chicken coops examined
In 23 of the 25 private chicken coops examined, eggs showed increased contamination with the so-called eternal chemicals. It can be deduced that soil in urban areas is generally contaminated with PFAS, without this being due to a specific source, authorities said.
The contamination is often the legacy of decades of deposits of materials that decompose over time and release pollutants. In the vicinity of waste incineration plants, pollution was not significantly different than outside the plants.
Liver damage and kidney and testicular cancer
PFAS do not occur naturally in the environment and, depending on the substance, remain in the environment for decades to centuries. By doing this they can accumulate more and more. The group of substances is estimated to include more than 10,000 different chemicals, many of which are highly toxic, especially to the development of children. PFAS are suspected of causing liver damage and kidney and testicular cancer, among other things.
Due to their unique properties, the substances are used in a wide range of mainly industrial products and everyday objects – from anoraks to pans to cosmetics. The European Union is discussing a possible ban on PFAS, with a few exceptions. Trade associations warn that this would be a threat to high-tech industries.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
