Dioxin contamination in Lausanne no health risk according to study
Published: Wednesday, Aug 21st 2024, 15:10
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The soil contamination discovered in the Lausanne region in 2021 has not led to any major health risks for residents. A study by the Lausanne University Center Unisanté shows that their blood dioxin levels are similar to those of the rest of the population.
The analysis of the data from this study on dioxin exposure "revealed no significant differences" between a "control group" and an "exposed" group. The latter consisted of people who regularly consumed food (eggs, meat, pumpkin) from the contaminated soil around the former Vallon waste incineration plant.
The dioxin concentrations in the blood of the two groups were similar, as David Vernez, Head of Department at the University Center for General Medicine and Public Health (Unisanté), explained to the media on Wednesday. The values also did not differ significantly from results from studies in other European countries.
Minimal risk of cancer
The positive message for people in the Lausanne region is that the risk of cancer or male infertility can be considered minimal, emphasized the Vaud cantonal doctor Karim Boubaker. As for the issue of soil remediation, which depends on federal standards, it is not called into question in the Unisanté study.
The contamination of Lausanne's soil with dioxins was discovered in 2021. It was most likely linked to the city of Lausanne's former waste incineration plant, which ceased operations in 2005.
©Keystone/SDA
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