Two new cases of children with higher than average arsenic levels were detected by analyzes conducted in the Orbiel Valley, near the former Salsigne arsenic mine in Aude, France. Thursday, sources were concordant.
The first cases, involving three boys aged 4, 7 and 9, were revealed at the end of June, causing concern and the announcement by the Aude prefecture of a series of measures to monitor a potential intoxication of the inhabitants.
A home support system
The two new cases concern children born in 2016 and 2014. They have arsenic per gram of creatinine of 36 and 27 micrograms / gram respectively - for a reference value of 10 μ / g - according to the results provided. by a representative of Parents of Students from the Lastours School, a municipality crossed by the Orbiel River, downstream from the mine.
The Regional Health Agency Occitanie (ARS) confirmed in a press release that it had "been informed by the Anti-Poison Center and Toxicovigilance of Occitanie" of these new results. "To address the concerns of families, a personalized home support system will be proposed," the agency added.
Of the four other children tested whose results are available, half had levels of 10 μg / g and the other a slightly lower value (9 μg / g).
The LRA must carry out a medical surveillance device as of July 8
Europe's largest gold mine and the world's first arsenic mine, Salsigne has been operating for almost a century until 2004. But it has left millions of tons of toxic waste stored at five nearby sites, some of whom, denouncing associations, have lost their seal. The floods of October 2018 increased concerns about soil pollution.
Among the measures announced at the end of June by the prefecture, a medical surveillance device led by the ARS will be activated from 8 July, the Agency said. It indicates "to wish that the families find quickly elements of answer to the questions of health that they pose".
In case of rates above the reference value, the Agency recommends a new control two months later, noting that "a single dose is a reflection of recent exposure that can not demonstrate long-term exposure".