French Court to Rule on Chlordécone Anxiety Claims in Guadeloupe and Martinique

Over 1,200 plaintiffs seek compensation for psychological distress linked to decades of pesticide contamination in the French Caribbean.

Chlordécone, a pesticide banned in mainland France in 1990 but used in Guadeloupe and Martinique until 1993, has caused widespread contamination of soil, water, and marine environments.
The court is considering appeals from 1,286 plaintiffs seeking €15,000 each for 'prejudice d’anxiété,' citing the fear of developing serious health conditions due to exposure.
Previous rulings acknowledged the French state's negligence in allowing prolonged use of the pesticide but denied anxiety-related compensation due to a lack of individualized evidence.
Exposure to chlordécone has been linked to elevated risks of prostate cancer, neurological issues, and other health problems, with over 90% of the adult population in the affected regions found to be contaminated.
The case could set a legal precedent for recognizing environmental anxiety as a compensable harm, expanding on similar rulings in workplace and medical contexts.