'Forever chemicals' used on Jersey's potato crops

So-called forever chemicals are present in at least four agricultural sprays used in Jersey, including one used on potato crops, the island's environment minister has said.

In the States Assembly, Deputy Steve Luce was quizzed on what actions, if any, were being implemented to reduce contamination by sprays containing PFAS in the island's water and environment.

The minister was also asked to provide a timeline for "achieving measurable progress" in addressing the issue.

Luce said his initial discussions with the industry were focused on finding an alternative and stopping the use of such sprays "as soon as possible".

PFAS, used in firefighting foam, leaked into the area by the airport's fire training ground in the early 1990s.

The chemicals, branded forever chemicals because they take a long time to break down, are found in a small quantity in most people's blood, and research is ongoing to determine if higher levels can lead to various health problems.

After the foam was confirmed to be in drinking water in 1993, the island's government and the airport, which it owns, stopped the use of the foam and offered to install new bore holes for affected residents.

People living in the area believe the contaminated water damaged crops and caused a litany of ongoing serious health issues.

The PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel, which makes recommendations, was set up by Public Health in May 2023.

Members met islanders who participated in the blood-testing programme and, in a draft report, recommended therapeutic phlebotomy for those affected.

Therapeutic phlebotomy is a procedure that involves removing some blood from the body to lower the concentration of PFAS.

In September 2024, the advisory panel published a report outlining the impact PFAS exposure had on health.

The panel found exposure to certain PFAS was associated with elevated cholesterol levels, and said there was evidence suggesting a probable increase in kidney and testicular cancers among those exposed to certain PFAS materials.

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