French Court Orders State to Compensate Chlordécone Victims for Anxiety Damages

The court found the French government liable for negligence in the prolonged use of the toxic pesticide in Martinique and Guadeloupe, impacting thousands.

The Paris Administrative Court of Appeal ruled that the French state must compensate individuals for anxiety caused by exposure to chlordécone, a pesticide linked to severe health risks.
Chlordécone was used in Martinique and Guadeloupe from 1972 to 1993 despite being banned in mainland France in 1990, contaminating soil, water, and food chains.
Over 1,300 plaintiffs, including individuals and associations, sought damages of €15,000 per person for anxiety stemming from the risk of developing severe health conditions.
The court recognized the state's negligence in authorizing prolonged pesticide use, failing to assess its environmental impact, and inadequately informing the affected populations.
More than 90% of adults in Martinique and Guadeloupe are estimated to have been exposed to chlordécone, with elevated rates of prostate cancer and other health risks reported.