In Tonnay-Charente, residents living near an industrial site operated by Timac Agro have discovered lead, cadmium, and arsenic in their gardens. According to government agencies, these heavy metals have reached concentrations in some areas that could pose health risks. Several residents now fear a decrease in the value of their properties, or even possible expropriation.
Of the 92 plots of land analyzed in the residential area of La Coudre, nearly half have soils deemed unsuitable for habitation and food production. Authorities are advising residents to stop consuming vegetables grown in their gardens, to clean any items used outdoors, and to remove their shoes before entering their homes. A local group estimates that around 40 houses have become uninhabitable.
A management plan is expected in six months.
The prefecture has ordered Timac Agro to submit, within six months, a detailed management plan for each affected plot. This plan must outline the remediation work, soil restoration measures, and any potential usage restrictions. The company has two months to appeal the prefectural order.
The site, established in 1915, has successively housed activities related to zinc, lead, sulfuric acid, and fertilizers. Part of the land was sold to developers in the 1960s, before the remainder of the site was acquired by Timac Agro in 1979. The company, which ceased fertilizer production there in March 2023, states that it has cooperated with the authorities and is examining the legal options available in response to the order.
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