Ten new cases of 0 to 11-year-olds with overexposure to arsenic have been reported in the Orbiel Valley in the Aude, site of the former Salsigne arsenic mine, reported on Wednesday. Regional Health Agency (ARS) Occitanie.
These results from a screening of 143 children aged 0-11 years established after the discovery of first cases of overexposure in June bring to a total of 46 cases of children screened by a first control with arsenic levels by gram of creatinine greater than 10 micrograms / gram, which is the reference value.
Eleven children subjected to a second analysis in August
Eleven children screened in June were retested in August to determine whether overexposure is recent or lasting. One of them remained with a result higher than 10g / g, "which can testify to a lasting impregnation," said Jean-Jacques Morfoisse, Deputy Director General of the ARS Occitanie. Two others "went from less than or equal to 10μg / g to better results". One of the three even has a rate greater than 15 μg / g.
"For families of these three children, these rates confirm exposure to arsenic," the statement said. "An appointment at home" is proposed by the ARS "for a" personalized support that aims to clarify the health recommendations. "Two belonging to the same siblings, the device concerns two families, said Jean-Jacques Morfoisse.
"Reassuring" results for eight more children
The ARS, on the other hand, relies on "reassuring results" for eight more children, whose rates fell in control tests below the average reached or exceeded in June. According to the Agency, "the reading of these results confirms the importance of the follow-up of the health recommendations" formulated since 1999 in the Orbiel Valley, where the Salsigne gold and arsenic mine bequeathed when it was closed, in 2004 , millions of tons of toxic waste.
The risks in the area were aggravated by the floods of October 2018 (14 deaths), as recently reported by the head of state, Emmanuel Macron, in a letter to the two senators of the Aude who had grasped the problem.
Referring to a situation "worrying" but "well followed locally" by the authorities, he assured the elected "that everything will be done to protect the people".
The publication of these new results comes against the backdrop of the mobilization of families, especially parents of students from a potentially contaminated arsenic plant in Conques-sur-Orbiel. According to the ARS, "arsenic is a carcinogenic toxic" in case of chronic exposure, with also possible effects including dermatological, cardiovascular and respiratory.