November 29, 2023

 

Chemical contamination in France prompts warning of eating eggs from chicken coops

 

Health authorities in France have reiterated warnings to millions of residents not to consume eggs from domestic chicken coops in the country's Île de France region.

 

The warning came after a new study confirmed that soil and eggs are contaminated by so called ‘forever chemicals' and toxins.

 

A precautionary warning first came in February 2022 for certain areas of the region. This was then expanded to the whole region in May 2023 following a preliminary investigation. The results of that study were confirmed and released last week, leading the authority to confirm its warning.

 

The warning covers the 410 municipalities which make up the urban area of Paris. This includes Paris, all the municipalities of Seine-Saint-Denis, Hauts-de-Seine, Val-de-Marne, certain municipalities of Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, Essonne and Val-d'Oise.

 

Tests by ToxicoWatch Foundation in 2022 found very high levels of dioxins in domestic backyard chicken coops near the largest waste incinerator in Europe, located in Paris. Authorities have now carried out their own research in 25 hen houses and confirmed their initial warning.

 

There is "ubiquitous contamination of soil and eggs from domestic chicken farms in Paris and the inner suburbs by persistent organic pollutants [POPs]" such as dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS or 'forever chemicals'), the agency explained in a press release.

 

PFAS is the name given to thousands of complex man-made chemicals. They are used in everything from non-stick frying pans to toiletries, food packaging and firefighting foams. They have been a threat to public health since the 1950s when the number of uses, names and applications for this group of chemicals quickly began to grow.

 

PFAS are also known as 'forever chemicals' as they persist in the environment for a very long time. They have chains of linked carbon and fluorine atoms. Because this carbon to fluorine bond is one of the strongest known, some chemicals will not break down for more than 1,000 years.

 

According to the French health authority, regular consumption "several times a week for several years" leads to "a potential endocrine disrupting effect that can initiate chronic diseases and affect the development of reproductive and immune functions" in human health.

 

- Euronews