What are the consequences for our health?

Everywhere, rainwater is “contaminated”. Indeed, “rainwater presents chemical contamination, after runoff on the roof. It also presents bacterial or parasitic contamination if it is stored in a tank”, underlines service-public.fr. Even in Antarctica or on the Tibetan plateau, which is usually uncontaminated, chemicals are found in rainwater.

Endocrine disruptors in the air and water

These substances are per and polyfluorinated, which are used in the manufacture of coatings for non-stick pans, shampoos, or packaging. These endocrine disruptors have therefore spread throughout our environment, including the air and water. At the end of the chain, they even arrive on our plate, after the runoff of the rain on the fruit and vegetable fields. And this is not without health consequences, warns Robert Barouki, director of the toxicology laboratory at INSERM.

Increased risk of obesity in children

“A high rate could prevent a good vaccine response from children. Then there is a higher risk of miscarriage. When the exposure took place during pregnancy, it increases the risk later of having obesity in children. It is still something that is worrying”, he underlines at the microphone of Europe 1.

Per and polyfluorides remain in our body for several hundred days, and for many years in nature. According to Robert Barouki, to avoid human contamination, the legislation should be reviewed and the use of these substances by manufacturers should be prohibited.