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3w ago

Solvay Plant Closure Highlights Worker Health Concerns Over PFAS Exposure

As the Salindres facility shuts down, employees pursue legal action and voice fears about long-term health risks tied to 'forever chemicals.'

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L'usine chimique de Salindres a annoncé l'arrêt de ses activités en septembre 2024. Début avril, 64 employés quittent leur emploi. (Photo du 07/09/2007)
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Overview

  • The Solvay chemical plant in Salindres, France, officially ceased operations on March 28, 2025, with layoffs finalized by April 1, 2025.
  • Workers report insufficient protective measures against PFAS exposure, with some experiencing health issues such as liver problems and miscarriages, though no direct causal link has been established.
  • A 2024 report commissioned by the plant’s CSE confirmed frequent worker exposure to PFAS and inadequate safety protocols, fueling employee concerns.
  • Legal actions initiated by employees and unions seek to challenge the economic rationale for layoffs and gain recognition for anxiety-related damages.
  • France and the EU are advancing stricter PFAS regulations, with new monitoring and restrictions expected by 2025-2026, raising challenges for the chemical industry to adapt.