2 months ago
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A French town’s excitement for green hydrogen jobs quickly soured when concerns about toxic PFAS chemicals, linked to serious health risks, emerged from a nearby factory.
Leonie Cater reports for Politico.
In short:
- Residents of Villers-Saint-Paul were warned not to eat local eggs due to high levels of PFAS, potentially from a nearby Chemours factory.
- PFAS, essential in green hydrogen production, are known to cause cancer and fertility issues, raising concerns as the factory plans to expand.
- Despite the company's safety claims, local officials demand further investigations, fearing increased pollution.
Key quote:
"You have two big environmental subjects at stake. You have decarbonization and you have the question of PFAS. It's really difficult."
— Alexandre Ouizille, Deputy Mayor of Villers-Saint-Paul
Why this matters:
Some say green hydrogen is the future of clean energy, but the people of Villers-Saint-Paul, a small town in northern France, are learning that even green solutions need careful scrutiny when industry giants and dangerous chemicals are involved. Read more: A lasting legacy: DuPont, C8 contamination and the community of Parkersburg left to grapple with the consequences.
