44 municipalities in Drôme and Ardèche are affected by the presence of tritium in tap water. There is one in the Drôme, Pierrelatte with 10 becquerels/liter in tritium. 43 municipalities are concerned in Ardèche, in the northern quarter of the department, notably Davézieux, Ardoix, Préaux, Boulieu-lès-Annonay among others where tritium levels rise to 6 bq/l. These are infinitesimal quantities (the WHO standard is 10,000 bq/l) but CRIIRAD denounces the lack of transparency in this matter.
The independent research and information commission on radioactivity based in Drôme and Médiapart had to do research to analyze data from ARS (Regional Health Agencies) on the presence of tritium in drinking water. According to this survey, nearly 10 million French people in more than 660 municipalities drink water that contains tritium.
The risks of tritium “undervalued” according to CRIIRAD
Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen. It is present in its natural state but when its level exceeds 2 bq/l, specifies CRIIRAD, “this is the tritium released by power plants“. Since 2005, tritium controls have been mandatory in all tap water except that “the results are difficult to access“, alerts CRIIRAD. The commission also requests a reduction in regulatory thresholds because the dangers of tritium are “undervalued”. This substance increases the risk of cancer or even accentuates the decline in fertility according to the IRSN (Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety).
Why 43 municipalities in Ardèche?
If the presence of tritium is easily explained in Pierrelatte because of its proximity to the Tricastin power station, it is more surprising for Ardèche. In these 43 municipalities, explains CRIIRAD, the analyzes are “more detailed” than in other areas. And the water in the sector is probably taken downstream from the Saint-Alban power plant in Isère. To find out if your municipality is affected, find CRIIRAD data online.
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