2022-12-06 08:38:41
A risk of overexposure to chlordecone
In 2021, ANSES reviewed the reference health value external (food) for chlordecone in the light of new toxicological and epidemiological studies and established an internal reference value (in the blood). These values define thresholds above which the risk of occurrence of health effects cannot be excluded.
In the expert opinion published today, the experts compared these values to the chlordeconemia (concentration of chlordecone in the blood) and dietary exposure data from the Kannari study (2013-2014). It appears that a part of the West Indian population presents a risk of overexposure to chlordecone.
Limit the consumption of certain foods to reduce the risks associated with chlordecone
To avoid overexposure to chlordecone, the Agency made three recommendations to limit the consumption of certain foods from informal circuits in its 2007 opinion:
limit the consumption of fishing products from short circuits (recreational fishing, subsistence fishing or roadside purchasing) do not consume freshwater fishing products from fishing ban zones defined by prefectural decreelimit the consumption of roots and tubers from allotment gardens in areas known to be contaminated. If you are unsure, contact the JAFA program advisors.
In its new expert opinion, ANSES concludes that compliance with all of these three recommendations allows exposed populations to significantly reduce the risk of exceeding the health value external that it established in 2021. It also appears that these recommendations are in agreement with West Indian dietary practices, the vast majority of populations already applying them. ANSES therefore confirms that these consumption limitations are a possible and effective lever for reducing the risk to the health of populations.
Control contamination of self-produced foods, particularly eggs
The expertise also reveals that the consumption of self-produced eggs in areas known to be contaminated contributes significantly to exposure to chlordecone. Consequently, the Agency recommends strengthening membership and use of JAFA allotment garden programs run by regional health agencies in Guadeloupe and Martinique. These programs make it possible to check the chlordecone concentration in the soil and provide personalized advice on breeding practices adapted to home gardens. Isolating animals from polluted soil as much as possible and feeding them with uncontaminated food are among the best practices.
New data needed to identify other means of reducing chlordecone exposure
This expertise is based on data from the Kannari study carried out in 2013-2014. It also integrated more recent data concerning the results of contamination of food from controlled circuits. On the other hand, the Agency highlights the absence of new data on consumption habits and contamination of food from informal circuits.
New studies are underway, which will provide more recent and complementary data. The ChlorExpo study, launched by Anses at the beginning of 2021, aims to obtain field data on food supply, preparation and cooking habits. It will make it possible to issue practical recommendations to continue reducing exposure to chlordecone among populations in the Antilles. Furthermore, the Kannari 2 biomonitoring study, launched soon by Public Health France, will make it possible to update the risk assessment based on impregnation data.
Finally, ANSES recommends broadening the scope of investigation of exposure to other chemical contaminants beyond chlordecone, so as to adapt and supplement the protection measures for populations in the Antilles.
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