⚠️ PFAS in Drinking Water: Record Pollution Levels in France's Grand Est Region

An unprecedented case of water pollution has been detected in 17 rural municipalities across the Ardennes and Meuse departments in northeastern France.

According to an investigation by Disclose and franceinfo, concentrations of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were found to be 3 to 27 times above the European regulatory limit (100 ng/L) — with a national record of 2,729 ng/L measured in Villy 🧪.

☣️ Alarming PFOA Contamination

Among the PFAS detected, PFOA — classified as carcinogenic by the WHO in 2023 — stood out for its exceptional levels. In Villy, it reached 704 ng/L, almost 10 times the legal threshold. For context, the historic case of PFAS contamination in Rumilly (linked to non-stick cookware manufacturing) peaked at “only” 117 ng/L.

🕰️ Delayed Response & Water Use Ban

Despite warning signs dating back nearly a decade, restrictions on drinking water consumption were only implemented recently. As of July 10, tap water is officially banned for consumption in 12 municipalities in Ardennes (2,800 residents) and 4 in Meuse (620 residents). Locals are now dependent on bottled water, with costs multiplied by 100 💧💶.

🏭 Industrial Origin Traced Back to Paper Mill Waste

The likely source? The spreading of sewage sludge from a former Ahlstrom paper mill in Stenay (closed end of 2024), starting around 2000. These PFAS-laden wastes are believed to have contaminated local groundwater. Notably, Ahlstrom has also been accused in the U.S. of polluting farmland, groundwater, and drinking water in Wisconsin in similar fashion 🌍.

🚨 A Growing Public Health Scandal

Potential health consequences are severe: cancer, cardiovascular issues, hormonal disruption, infertility, and more. These “forever chemicals” are known for their persistence in both the environment and the human body.

Affected municipalities are now speaking out, denouncing a major public health scandal, and are demanding that polluters be held accountable ⚖️.

📎 Read more:

• Disclose
• franceinfo
• Le Monde