Health scandal: pesticides contaminate drinking water

Significant residues of chlorothalonil were found in at least one of two samples taken from drinking water networks throughout France, according to the report published by the National Health Security Agency (ANSES) of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Although the drug, marketed by the Syngenta agrochemical company and used in agriculture, has been banned in France since 2020, it was significantly detected in the drinking water network in investigations.

The ANSES, which regularly reviews the water networks every 3 years in the country, found more than 157 pesticides in the latest controls. In addition, the analyzes revealed that 57 types of explosive residues from the First World War were found in the main waters of the country.

The relevant institution in France suggested that drinking water should be consumed with care, with the suspicion that the bacteria and samples in question could have a long-term, if not short-term, negative impact on human health. (AA)