People living in Wallonia are exposed to over 50 persistent chemicals and pollutants in the air, soil and water, according to a human biomonitoring study released on Wednesday.
The study's results, presented by the Public Service Scientific Institute (ISSeP) and Wallonia's Minister of Health and Environment, Yves Coppieters, show that while exposure to such substances is not higher in the region than the European average, levels of PFAS, cadmium, lead, and mercury pose health risks.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are dubbed “forever pollutants” because they do not degrade easily and accumulate in the air, soil, rivers, and the human body.
Traces of 52 biomarkers found in urine and blood samples
The Walloon study aimed to measure population exposure to these chemicals through markers found in urine and blood.
Out of 62 biomarkers studied, 52 were detected in the samples, with 47 reaching reference values high enough to draw health conclusions.
“The exposure levels detected in Wallonia are generally similar to those found in other European countries, or even lower for substances that have faced recent restrictions in Belgium or Europe,” ISSeP project leader Aline Jacques commented.
Nonetheless, health risks cannot be ruled out concerning the lead and mercury found in the blood of some Walloons.
Children particularly exposed to most metals, pesticides
“Exceeding the health reference values is also observed for cadmium and PFAS," Ms. Jacques noted. "Compared to adults, children seem particularly exposed to most metals, bisphenols, and pesticides."
"For substances that tend to accumulate in the body, such as persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, and PFAS) or certain metals (lead, cadmium), older adults are more impacted," she added.
"It would be advisable to monitor the situation over the long-term and reduce the exposure of Walloons to these substances,” Ms. Jacques recommended.
PFAS found in 31% of pesticides used in the region
Minister Coppieters agreed that the situation warrants regular monitoring. “Not to alarm the population but in the interest of transparency," he said. "This is not just a Walloon phenomenon—we are in the European average—but that does not mean we should be complacent.”
He emphasised that the region can conduct prevention, education, and awareness campaigns, but must also cooperate with other levels of government.
“Strong policies are necessary to reduce certain values. Of the hundred pesticides used, 31 contain PFAS. We need the courage to ban them,” he asserted.
“My position is to adopt a precautionary principle. We need to have discussions at the interministerial Health or Environment conference. My main argument is health: there are real and documented risks of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases in scientific literature,” he stressed.
