Chlordécone contamination in Guadeloupe and Martinique

Over 80% of adults in Guadeloupe and Martinique are contaminated with chlordécone, according to a study by Public Health France. This study reveals the widespread persistence of this pesticide more than thirty years after its prohibition.

Causes of contamination

Chlordécone is a pesticide that was used in the 1970s and 1980s to combat insects in banana plantations. However, its use was banned in 1990 due to its harmful effects on health and the environment. Despite this, contamination persists in Guadeloupe and Martinique due to the persistence of chlordécone in the environment.