Chlordecone, whose name indicates that it contains 10 atoms of chlorine, is an organochlorine pesticide that was used on banana plantations in Martinique and Guadeloupe on a massive scale between 1972 and 1993 to combat banana weevils. Despite being banned in the United States in 1977 and classified as a “possible carcinogen” by the World Health Organisation in 1979 due to its proven toxicity, it continued to be used in the French West Indies until 1993, although it was banned in mainland France from 1990!
Chemical formula of chlordecone: C10Cl10O
IRSET (Institute for Research in Health, Environment and Work), INSERM (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) and ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety) have conducted studies to identify the health hazards and risks associated with exposure to chlordecone [1],[2],[3].
Physico-chemical properties and environmental persistence:
Chlordecone has a strong affinity for soils rich in organic matter, resulting in prolonged retention in the environment. Its chemical stability and resistance to degradation mean that it can persist in soils for several centuries, making its remediation particularly complex.
Impact on human health:
Epidemiological and toxicological studies have identified a number of adverse effects associated with exposure to chlordecone:
- Carcinogenicity: The Inserm report published in 2021[1] concludes that there is a strong presumption of a link between exposure to chlordecone and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
- Endocrine disruption: Chlordecone acts as an endocrine disruptor, interfering with the hormonal system and potentially causing reproductive and developmental disorders.
- Neurotoxicity: Prolonged exposure may affect the nervous system, leading to neurological disorders.
- Reprotoxicity: exposure alters fertility.
Contamination of the food chain:
The persistence of chlordecone in the soil has led to long-term contamination of crops and livestock. Local foodstuffs, in particular root vegetables, fish, shellfish and eggs from family farms, may contain chlordecone residues, constituting the main route of exposure for local populations. The Anses has been working since the early 2000s to improve knowledge of the exposure of people in the French West Indies to this contaminant and the associated health risks. In particular, it has issued recommendations on the consumption of locally-produced foods[5].
Management and prevention measures:
In response to this situation, a number of measures have been put in place:
- Health monitoring: Regular control plans are carried out to monitor chlordecone levels in marketed foods and ensure compliance with established maximum residue limits.
- Food recommendations: Advice is given to local populations to limit consumption of products likely to be contaminated, thereby reducing exposure to chlordecone.
- Agricultural research and innovation: Studies are underway to develop soil decontamination methods and promote alternative agricultural practices, such as soilless cultivation, in order to produce healthy foodstuffs despite the contamination of the land.
Despite these efforts, the persistence of chlordecone in the environment remains a major challenge, requiring ongoing vigilance and appropriate strategies to protect public health and the environment.
Recent news on chlordecone contamination in the French West Indies :
- Article published in Le Monde on 23 September 2024
- In Martinique, chlordecone-polluted soils are forcing farmers to adapt. Article published in Le Monde on 25 October 2024
- “Loving the land. Undoing colonial inhabitation”: when the chlordecone affair reveals the unequal treatment of the West Indies. Article published in Le Monde on 11 March 2025
- Chlordecone: the State’s gross negligence recognised, compensation limited
Bibliography:
[1] Studies to identify the health hazards and risks associated with exposure to chlordecone | Research Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health
[2] Pesticides and health – New data (2021) – Inserm, Science for health
[4] inserm-expertisecollective-pesticides2021-resume.pdf