2023-11-22 10:06:31
The Île-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS) recommends no longer consuming eggs from 410 municipalities around Paris after the discovery of pollutants. But what are the real health risks?
All residents of the Paris metropolitan area will now have to be very careful about consuming eggs if they were collected from a neighbor’s house or from their own henhouse. In its latest report published on November 20, the ARS of Ile de France warns of the potential contamination of eggs from domestic henhouses in Paris and in 410 surrounding urban communities, following the detection of pollutants in eggs. of 25 chicken coops in Ile de France. The consumption of these eggs is therefore strongly discouraged due to the health risks involved. This recommendation follows a first decision issued, as a precautionary measure, last April.
The study confirms the presence of persistent organic pollutants, POPs, at concentrations that exceed regulatory thresholds in eggs. Only 2 of the samples analyzed “ would be considered compliant to be marketed in relation to the thresholds established by European regulations », Reports the ARS. POPs included dioxins (PCDD), furans (PCDF), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), as well as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), four families of substances known to have adverse health effects. In addition, POPs are likely to interfere with the immune, hormonal or fetal system by increasing the risk of reproductive or neurodevelopmental disorders. Studies have also linked certain pollutants to the risk of cancer in humans.
Also read “Eternal pollutants”: contaminated with PFAS, eggs banned for consumption south of Lyon
How are eggs contaminated?
Initially, suspicions of contamination were directed against the three main waste incinerators around Paris (Ivry-sur-Seine, Issy-les-Moulineaux and Saint-Ouen). Among the 25 henhouses inspected, 14 are in fact close to these sites. Initial results revealed in 2022 by a Dutch NGO, under the initiative of a collective of local residents, revealed concentrations “ high » of dioxins within a radius of two kilometers around the factory in Ivry. THE final report from the ARS confirms the presence of pollutants in the eggs analyzed but also the soils, trees (resinous) and moss which make up the environment close to the incinerators.
« The dioxin family and furans originate primarily from industrial combustion processes, including smoke plumes from incinerators. Once released into the atmosphere, they are deposited in soil and water », Explains Xavier Coumoul, professor of toxicology at Paris Cité University. The entire food chain then becomes contaminated: the chickens ingest the pollutants by pecking on the ground, accumulate them in their fats and transfer them to the eggs. Human exposure to these families of POPs occurs in 90% of cases through the consumption of contaminated eggs.
However, concentrations of POPs above standards were also recorded in 11 sites located outside the zone of influence incineration “. There would therefore be no overexposure caused by the proximity of incinerators, according to the ARS. Considering that “ the quality of the soil is similar throughout the urban unit of Paris“, the health authority therefore insists: the 410 municipalities of the Paris metropolitan area are affected by the recommendations and not only the areas around incineration plants. “ POPs are persistent elements, meaning that once present in the soil they remain there almost permanently. From combustion zones, they can therefore migrate to more distant areas by accumulating in the soil. », suggests Robert Barouki, director of the Environmental Toxicity, Therapeutic Targets, Cell Signaling and Biomarkers laboratory (Inserm, Paris Cité University). “ They are also produced naturally by forest or private fires. All these events can contribute to their transfer outside incineration sites, but it is very difficult to quantify it », he adds.
Also read: Eternal pollutants: aquatic discharges from fifteen sites placed under surveillance in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Can we continue to eat eggs in Ile de France?
Given the risks generated by chronic overexposure to POPs, regular consumption, that is to say “ several times a week and for several years », eggs produced by domestic henhouses is strongly discouraged, indicates the ARS. Eating it less than once a week remains “ possible » but not recommended. “Note also that the cooking process does not eliminate pollutants because it is sometimes necessary to go up to‘at 800°C to destroy a dioxin », Specifies Professor Coumoul. Industrial eggs are subject to regulatory controls and are therefore not included in the recommendations. It is therefore possible to continue to eat eggs raised in the Paris region, provided that they are purchased in stores.
Are there certain populations more vulnerable?
The recommendations apply to the entire population. However, due to the ability of persistent organic pollutants to cross the placental barrier, and therefore to be found in breast milk, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children are most at risk. “ Children represent the most sensitive population, including during their fetal development, due to the long-term effects of exposure to POPs and in particular due to their potential endocrine disrupting effect. », Explains the ARS.
Can other products be contaminated ?
Other products of animal origin rich in lipids, such as dairy products (mainly butter and cheese), certain meats and fatty fish, may contain traces of dioxins, furans and PCBs which accumulate in fatty tissues and liver. PFAS on the other hand, indicates the ARS, “ are rarely measured at quantified levels in foods “. These pollutants are mainly present in kitchen utensils (pans, saucepans, etc.), adhesives, waterproofed clothing but also paper packaging. They can therefore be found in certain foods and drinks. However, textile materials are the main source of human exposure to this family of pollutants.
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