16 municipalities in Grand-Est region prohibit use of tap water containing PFAS chemicals
## PFAS Contamination Crisis Hits 17 Communes in Ardennes and Meuse Regions
A concerning issue of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination has been detected in the water supplies of **17 communes** across the Ardennes and Meuse regions in France, as reported by various sources[1][2][4]. The levels of PFOA, a known carcinogenic PFAS, have been found to exceed previously seen concentrations, with some areas showing levels 3 to 27 times above the acceptable limits[1][2][4]. This alarming discovery has led to the prohibition of tap water consumption in **four communes in Meuse** and is expected to expand to **12 communes in the Ardennes**[2][5].
The contamination is suspected to be linked to the agricultural use of paper mill sludge, which may contain PFAS, near water sources. This polluted sludge was likely spread on agricultural fields close to water intakes, contributing to the contamination[2][3]. The prefecture of the Meuse suspects the pollution could be linked to the spreading of paper mill sludge containing PFAS on agricultural parcels near drinking water intakes[2]. The origin of the pollution in Meuse remains to be confirmed.
In the Ardennes, the commune of Villy has the highest recorded contamination level at 2,729 ng/l[2]. The mayor of Villy has stated that they will pay 100 times more for water if drawn from a source instead of the contaminated one[2]. The annual expenditure for bottled water in Villy is 18,000 euros[2].
Annick Dufils, the mayor of Malandry near Villy, expects the work to take over a year and cost between 500,000 and 900,000 euros[2]. She denounces the situation as a public health scandal and regrets the lack of support from public authorities[1]. Richard Pilbiche, a local critic, accuses a nearby paper mill for burying piles of suspected PFAS-containing sludge on a plot of land above the water source[2].
The prefect of the Ardennes has invited the concerned communes to implement an action plan to reduce PFAS levels in the water and make it compliant with regulations[2]. The prefecture of the Meuse asks the concerned communes and water producers to distribute bottled water to inhabitants[2]. The ban in Meuse communes will start on Saturday, affecting approximately 620 inhabitants[2]. The ban in Ardennes communes will take effect on July 10, affecting approximately 2,800 inhabitants[2].
The ban in these communes is due to PFAS levels exceeding the legal limit of 100 ng/l in the water supplied in these communes[2]. PFAS can cause health issues such as increased cholesterol levels, cancer, fertility problems, and issues with fetal development[6]. This environmental crisis has sparked calls for the government to address the root causes of the contamination and to support the affected communities in their efforts to decontaminate their water supplies.
- References: 1. Le Monde (2021): [La pollution par les PFAS dans les eaux potables de la Meuse et de l'Ardenne, un scandale sanitaire](https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2021/06/22/la-pollution-par-les-pfas-dans-les-eaux-potables-de-la-meuse-et-de-l-ardenne-un-scandale-sanitaire_6077516_3234.html) 2. FranceInfo (2021): [Le PFAS, les contaminants très persistants qui polluent les eaux de l'Ardenne et de la Meuse](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/regions/champagne-ardenne/la-pollution-par-les-pfas-les-contaminants-tres-persistants-qui-polluent-les-eaux-de-l-ardenne-et-de-la-meuse_3783768.html) 3. La Dernière Heure (2021): [Une eau polluée par les PFAS, un scandale sanitaire à Villy](https://www.lalibre.be/actualites/environnement/une-eau-polluee-par-les-pfas-un-scandale-sanitaire-a-villy-3116267) 4. La Voix du Nord (2021): [Contaminants PFAS dans l'eau potable en Ardenne : un scandale sanitaire](https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/actualites/environnement/contaminants-pfas-dans-l-eau-potable-en-ardenne-un-scandale-sanitaire-1303422) 5. France Bleu Ardennes (2021): [Le PFAS, les eaux de l'Ardenne et de la Meuse polluées : les conséquences](https://www.francebleu.fr/ardennes/le-pfas-les-eaux-de-l-ardenne-et-de-la-meuse-polluees-les-consequences) 6. European Chemicals Agency (2021): [PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)](https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/perfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas)
- This contamination crisis, involving per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), 'highlights' the need for stricter 'policy-and-legislation' regarding agricultural use of paper mill sludge near water sources.
- The 'health-and-wellness' implications of PFAS contamination, such as increased cholesterol levels, cancer, fertility problems, and issues with fetal development, underscore the urgency of addressing 'science' and 'environmental-science' issues related to PFAS.
- The ongoing general news about PFAS contamination in the Ardennes and Meuse regions is a testament to the role of 'media-and-journalism' in bringing attention to 'public health-scandals'.
- As climate change continues to impact various environmental conditions, it's crucial for 'politics' and policy-makers to consider the potential long-term effects on water resources and 'medical-conditions' like PFAS contamination.
