Carcassonne (AFP)
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 (Aude). we learned Thursday from concordant sources.
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.
The two new cases concern children born in 2016 and 2014.
They have arsenic levels per gram of creatinine of 36 and 27 micrograms / gram - for a reference value of 10 μ / g - according to the results provided to AFP by a representative of the Lastours school, a town crossed by the Orbiel River, downstream of 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," added the agency.
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).
Europe's largest gold mine and the world's first arsenic mine, Salsigne has been operating for nearly a century until 2004.
But it has bequeathed millions of tons of toxic waste stored in five nearby sites, some of which, denounce 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 says "want families to quickly find answers to the health issues they face".
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".
? 2019 AFP