What risks do florists run? A two-year investigation launched

Flowers have been Alain Thomasset’s passion for 26 years. The florist handles them with gloves, but nevertheless, he sees traces of pesticides on a daily basis. “Today roses are so processed, when you put them in water, even if you change the water every two days, you still have a color”he attests.

Nearly 85% of cut flowers are imported, particularly from East Africa, where pesticides banned in Europe are used. Alain Thomasset, however, prefers not to think about it too much. “I never asked myself that question.”he said. But what is the risk for the professionals who handle these imported flowers?

ANSES, the National Health Security Agency, will have to establish it. A study launched by Laure Marivain, a former florist, who lost her daughter to leukemia, a cancer directly linked to the pesticides received during her pregnancy. “There can be acute toxicities, with respiratory problems”warns Laurence Huc, toxicologist and research director at INRAE. The investigation, which will last two years, could lead to a reform of the rules for importing flowers into France.

Watch the full report in the video above.