J. Florentin

Chlordecone (Kepone) exposure in the French West Indies: the urgent need to address a flawed management approach

Chlordecone is an organochlorine pesticide that has been used in banana plantations on the French Caribbean islands to combat the banana weevil, a pest that ravaged crops. While chlordecone poses major risks to human health, many countries, including the United States, cancelled all registrations for chlordecone use by the end of 1977. 1 In the French Caribbean islands, chlordecone was used massively until 1993, leading to the contamination of 20 000–30 000 hectares of agricultural land. Due to its persistence, it has permanently contaminated the soil and water and even continues to affect crops and livestock production. For example, 11% of local food products exceed safety thresholds. 2 Dietary exposure through