18
Apr
France’s Drinking Water Contaminated with Toxic Fungicide Chlorothalonil, Banned in EU but Widely Used in U.S.
(Beyond Pesticides, April 18, 2023) Health officials in France are alerting the public that a majority of drinking water samples tested by the government contain the presence of the highly toxic fungicide chlorothalonil. The findings highlight a stark divide between regulations and public health management in the European Union and United States. While EU member states have banned this chemical and are working to understand and address lingering effects, tens of millions of pounds of chlorothalonil continue to be sprayed throughout the U.S. annually.
French officials say they conducted this research after researchers in Switzerland found evidence of the fungicide in drinking water. A few years ago, Swiss scientists released a report showing Evian bottled water, touted for its claims of purity, was found to contain measurable levels of chlorthalonil. “The fact that even the Evian springs in the French Alps, which are hardly affected by humans, contain pesticide residues is alarming and shows the far too careless handling of these substances,” Roman Wiget, president of the international drinking water association AWBR told the German-language Swiss weekly at the time.
The EU banned uses of chlorothalonil in 2019, due to concerns over water contamination, the effects of such contamination on fish and amphibians, and an elevated cancer risk. EU officials designated chlorothalonil as a 1B carcinogen, meaning it “may cause cancer,” with the most significant risk found for kidney cancer based on laboratory animal studies. Enough data was presented to conclude that the breakdown metabolites of the chemical have genotoxic potential, able to damage DNA and result in the development of cancer. EPA has classified chlorothalonil as a likely human carcinogen.
The fungicide presents an acute risk to amphibians, and chronic risks to fish living in contaminated water. In addition to these aquatic impacts, other research finds the chemical can harm pollinators by altering honey bee microbiomes, reducing bumblebee colony size, contributing to ongoing pollinator declines.
Chlorothalonil was found in over half of drinking water samples tested, and at amounts higher than allowable levels in one out of three tests.
“These results show that, depending on their properties, some pesticide metabolites can remain present in the environment for several years after the ban on the active substance from which they were derived,” a report on the contamination by French health officials concluded.
A rapid transition away from hazardous, industrial pesticides like chlorothalonil is urgently needed to address ongoing health, biodiversity, and climate crises. While the EU is trending in the right direction and seeking to phase out 50% of all pesticide use by 2035 as part of its Farm to Fork Strategy, a recent citizen petition recommending larger restrictions was recently rejected.
While European member states are conducting follow up studies on this EU-banned chemical, regulators at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have done little to address chlorothalonil, the 10th most commonly used pesticide in the country. In fact, EPA is several years late on a workplan it set for itself on the fungicide. The agency estimated it would open a review document for the chemical in 2016, but the most recent action taken, according to the agency’s docket folder on regulations.gov, was a meeting with the chemical’s primary registrant Syngenta/ChemChina.
With complete lack of action, there is reason to be concerned about health and environmental impacts of chlorothalonil in the U.S. The chemical was identified as a priority contaminant in the Great Lakes by the U.S. Geological Survey, and is increasingly detected in streams near golf courses. Not only has the U.S. done nothing on this chemical, it still permits the product for use on turf by the general public in formulated products like Daconil.
U.S. regulatory agencies like EPA are consistently failing to meet the modest health protective standards of their peers in Europe. According to advocates, it can be said that U.S. pesticide policy is under the control of a toxic industry regime that has spanned multiple administrations – of both political parties – with strong evidence of corruption at the highest levels of government.
Join Beyond Pesticides in fighting for the restoration of scientific integrity and the elimination of corruption at EPA. Only through strong engagement from concerned residents can we make progress in fighting back against powerful, deeply embedded industry forces that result in the ongoing poisoning of people, pets, and the wider environment.
All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.
Source: France24, Euractiv
Image Source: Andrea Piacquadio
THIS WATER ISSUE IN FRANCE MUST BE ADDRESSED AND TAKEN CARE OF CORRECTLY! This is poisonous to humans and animals alike.
May 5th, 2024 at 7:26 pmIt is a complete Outrage that this is not TOP PRIORITY Considering You Are Hosting the Olympics this Year. My body has broken out in sores from showering in the city water. This is Corruption At Its Highest Degree and is a Criminal Act to Society at Large!