Summary
Extensively used between 1972 and 1993 in banana plantations in the French West Indies, chlordecone –an organochlorine insecticide that is now banned–, still persists in soils, and contaminates ecosystems and food chains. This multidisciplinary collective work provides an overview of the most recent scientific knowledge and updated scientific results. It analyzes the impacts, the challenges, and the public responses implemented to limit exposure and manage the risks of this pollution, which has a long-term impact on the health of populations and the human and environmental health. It draws lessons for the future, with the aim of promoting a “One Health“ approach to address the challenges posed by this unprecedented health and environmental crisis.
This book aims at scientists, teachers, policymakers, professionals, and members of associations who wish to deepen their knowledge of the various routes of exposure to this widespread contamination and also interested in ensuring protection of populations and ecosystems health over the long-term, in the French West Indies.
Table of contents
Introduction
Chapter 1. Chlordecone Contamination of the Environment: Origins, Findings, and First taken Actions
Magalie Jannoyer, Luc Multigner
Chapter 2. Analytical Challenges in Quantifying and Monitoring Contamination and Evaluating Remediation Solutions
Maïlie Saint-Hilaire, Jean-Pierre Thomé, Laurence Amalric, Pierre-Loïc Saaidi
Chapter 3. What Methods and Tools can be used to Observe, Understand, and Quantify the long-term Dynamics of Soil and Water Contamination?
Lai Ting Pak, Charlotte R. Dromard, Anne-Lise Taïlamé, Olivier Grünberger, Marc Voltz, Jean-Baptiste Charlier, Patrick Lachassagne, Anatja Samouëlian
Chapter 4. Perceptions, Experiences, and Knowledge of Chlordecone Pollution and Associated Health Risks: Contributions from the Social Sciences
Sara Angeli Aguiton, Iris Cervenka, Jérôme Foucaud, Rubis Le Coq
Chapter 5. Assessing the Risks of Ecosystems and Humans Contamination: Processes, Impacts, and Methodologies
Marc Voltz, Dominique Monti, Mathieu Coulis, Magalie Jannoyer, Agnès Fournier, Guido Rychen, Xavier Coumoul
Chapter 6. How can we Take into Account the Vulnerability of Ecosystems?
Dominique Monti, Charlotte R. Dromard
Chapter 7. How can we Take into Account the Vulnerability of French West Indies Populations?
Jacqueline Deloumeaux, Bernard Bhakkan-Mambir, Jonathan Macni, Jacqueline Véronique-Baudin, Clarisse Joachim, Danièle Luce, Jean Francois Desprats, Anne-Lise Taïlamé, Jean-Baptiste Charlier, Vincent Bonnal, Philippe Cattan, Pascal Degenne, Victor Dufleit, Jérémy Lavarenne, Lucie Lecat, Annelise Tran
Chapter 8. Management of Chlordecone Pollution in the French West Indies and Associated Risks: A Thorny Issue
Valérie Angeon, Jean-Luc Volatier, Josselin Thuilliez
Chapter 9. What Tools and Solutions Are Available to Reduce Exposure through Soil, Water and Food?
Audrey Bruneau, Matthieu Delannoy, Agnès Fournier, Sarra Gaspard, Magalie Jannoyer, Soazig Lemoine, Christophe Mouvet, Guido Rychen
Chapter 10. Communication Approaches of Chlordecone Crises in Guadeloupe and Martinique — Power, Public Communication, and Mediation
Séverine Ely-Marius, Yannick Exilie, Marthe Berthide-Limier, Célia Perito-Cincinnatus, Guillaume Pompougnac, Axelle Beniey, Raoul Legba, Daniel Césarus, Aurélie Pourrez
Chapter 11. The construction of the Public Problem and the Reception of Public Policies on Chlordecone in the French West Indies (1968–2023)
Malcom Ferdinand, Justin Daniel
Chapter 12. How the Availability and Use of Data can Evolve to support a More Integrated Approach of Chlordecone Exposure?
Pierre Benoit, Philippe Hunel, Jeanne Garric
Chapter 13. Conclusion: What are the main priorities to renew research efforts?
Justin Daniel, Aurore Fourcot, Michel Samson, Guido Rychen
Glossary
List of abbreviations and acronyms
List of authors and their affiliations
Acknowledgments
