‘Public health time bomb’: How France allowed cadmium to poison its crops and soil
Summary
Cadmium, a toxic metal that can cause cancer and other health problems, is contaminating food and soil in France at much higher levels than in other European countries. The main sources are phosphate fertilizers from North Africa used in farming, and experts say government inaction has allowed this problem to grow, posing serious health risks especially to women and children.Key Facts
- Nearly half of French people have cadmium levels in their bodies above safe limits.
- Cadmium is found in common foods like bread, cereals, pasta, and potatoes.
- French cadmium exposure is 3 to 4 times higher than in other European countries.
- The metal causes health issues, including kidney and liver damage, cancer, and bone problems.
- Phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Tunisia, which contain cadmium, are widely used in French farming.
- EU rules limit cadmium in fertilizers to 60 mg per kg, but France has more lenient rules.
- Experts say farming practices and government delays in action have worsened the crisis.
- Cadmium exposure mainly comes from food, accounting for up to 98% in non-smokers.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.