Cadmium, a proven carcinogen, has contaminated some of the most consumed foods in France. Doctors warn against a 'public health time bomb'
This is neither a pesticide nor a so-called " forever chemical." Yet it has massively contaminated the French population, especially children, through their diet. The situation has become so serious that private practice doctors have sounded the alarm about what they call a "public health time bomb": cadmium. Less well-known than lead, mercury or arsenic, cadmium is a heavy metal classified as a proven human carcinogen. Present in phosphate fertilizers used in agriculture, it accumulates in soil and has contaminated some of the most widely consumed foods: breakfast cereals, bread, pasta and potatoes.
In a letter sent on Monday, June 2, to the prime minister and the ministers of health, agriculture and environment, the National Conference of Regional Unions of Private Practice Health Professionals (URPS-ML) expressed its "grave concern." "Exposure to cadmium is a public health time bomb," said Pascal Meyvaert, coordinator of the URPS-ML's health and environment working group. "This is a public health emergency; it is our duty to alert the authorities to protect citizens. The government can no longer ignore this public health scourge!"
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LeMonde
18 hours ago
- LeMonde
Cadmium, a proven carcinogen, has contaminated some of the most consumed foods in France. Doctors warn against a 'public health time bomb'
This is neither a pesticide nor a so-called " forever chemical." Yet it has massively contaminated the French population, especially children, through their diet. The situation has become so serious that private practice doctors have sounded the alarm about what they call a "public health time bomb": cadmium. Less well-known than lead, mercury or arsenic, cadmium is a heavy metal classified as a proven human carcinogen. Present in phosphate fertilizers used in agriculture, it accumulates in soil and has contaminated some of the most widely consumed foods: breakfast cereals, bread, pasta and potatoes. In a letter sent on Monday, June 2, to the prime minister and the ministers of health, agriculture and environment, the National Conference of Regional Unions of Private Practice Health Professionals (URPS-ML) expressed its "grave concern." "Exposure to cadmium is a public health time bomb," said Pascal Meyvaert, coordinator of the URPS-ML's health and environment working group. "This is a public health emergency; it is our duty to alert the authorities to protect citizens. The government can no longer ignore this public health scourge!"
France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
Fighting for their fair share: How to boost economic empowerment for African women
Gender equality remains a challenge across the globe and particularly in Africa. Despite progress, women continue to face persistent barriers on the continent: limited access to education, inequalities in healthcare, difficulties in obtaining financing and underrepresentation in decision-making positions. To help change that, former French Minister Élisabeth Moreno co-founded ADWIN alongside George-Axelle Broussillon Matschinga and Prescillia Avenel Delpha. It's an international network dedicated to the promotion and empowerment of African and Afro-descendant women through training, mentorship, financing, and well-being. Moreno spoke to us in People & Profit.
Local France
2 days ago
- Local France
PODCAST: Has Uber changed France and will smoking ever be banned on café terraces?
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield for the latest episode of the Talking France podcast. The dispute between taxi drivers and ride-hail services like Uber is a long-standing one that flared up again this week - so will they ever reach an understanding? You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below. The Talking France team also explores France's latest ban on smoking outdoors, and whether it will have any impact on those famous café terraces. Advertisement We also hear about another effort by French authorities to keep the air clean, via low-emission zones. Recently, France's parliament voted to get rid of these low-emission zones, but the Talking France team discusses the obstacles in the way of that coming to fruition. And after receiving guidance from French tax authorities, we wade into the notoriously tricky topic of remote working in France. Stick around until the end to hear about whether or not French drivers deserve their negative reputation, plus a handy tip for what to do when you are being tailgated in France. EXTRA READING What you need to know about taking a taxi in Paris Explained: France's new smoking ban rules So you want to move to France and work remotely? Is this the end of France's Crit'Air zones for drivers? Swearing, honking and tailgating: French drivers ranked among worst in Europe Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of paying members of The Local - you can find out more about becoming a member here . You can also help us by leaving a nice review, sharing the podcast on social media, or just telling a friend about us.
