The first ToxicoWatch (TW) biomonitoring research in Ivry-sur-Seine, suburb of Paris was initiated in 2021 in collaboration with C3R (Réduire, Réutiliser, Recycler) , With the focus on dioxins in eggs from backyard chickens in the surrounding environment of waste incinerator Ivry-Paris XIII (IPXIII).
Key findings Biomonitoring Ivry-sur-Seine/Paris region 2021:
- High dioxin values are found in all three biomatrices (backyard chicken eggs, pine needles and tree leaves).
- The bioassay DR CALUX for dioxin analysis, show 83% of the eggs (5 of the 6 samples) are exceeding the action limits for safe food consumption as regulated in the EU Directive 2017/644.
- The chemical GC-MS analysis on dioxins of the eggs samples, verify the bioassay results. Five (5) out of six (6) locations exceeding the EU limits for safe egg consumption according to EU Regulation 1881/2006.
- The chemical GC-MS analysis of the eggs resulted in five (5) locations exceeding the action limit for dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) according to EU Regulation 1881/2006.
- The analysis results of bioassay DR CALUX on vegetation, pine needles and mosses, demonstrates high dioxin levels in the vicinity of the waste incinerator IPXIII.
- The analysis results for dioxins in mosses of 1.2 – 4.9 pg TCDD eq./g product and 1.6 – 4.4 pg TCDD eq./g product in pine needles. The fraction of dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) dominates over the dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs).
The excessive dioxin levels detected in these backyard chicken egg samples raised public and governmental concern. In response, the French public health authority (ARS) conducted a broader study across the Paris region, identifying elevated levels of dioxins and PFAS in eggs.
Specific combustion related dioxin congeners Hepta (HpCDD) and Octa (OCDD) were found to be most elevated in the backyard chicken egg samples of ToxicoWatch and in backyard chicken eggs samples of ARS in Ivry-sur-Seine. The specific congener findings are consistent with the semi-continuous measurement TW-study of IPXIII incinerator (TW 2023), which reported up to almost 7,000 hours of exceedances/failures over a two-year period.
In October 2024 ToxicoWatch (TW) performed, with support of Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), the second biomonitoring research in Ivry-sur-Seine/suburb of Paris. With the focus on collecting mosses (bryophytes) and soil from primary schoolyard locations within 1500 metres of the waste incinerator IPXIII.
Key findings Biomonitoring Ivry-sur-Seine/Paris region, 2024:
- The highest dioxin concentration was analysed in mosses (bryophytes) at a primary school playground 780 metres west of the waste incinerator IPXIII.
- Most primary schools demonstrated high levels of dioxins in both mosses (bryophytes) and soil at their playgrounds.
- All measured heavy metals [14] were elevated in the mosses (bryophytes) samples compared to the lowest values measured at the cemetery, located east of Ivry-sur-Seine.
ToxicoWatch research investigates in 2024-2025, with the support of Zero Waste Europe, the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in outdoor air filters in five (5) primary schools located within 1500 m of the waste incinerator Ivry-Paris XIII (IPXIII) in Ivry-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris. The study is a continuation of previous biomonitoring research conducted by TW (2021-2024), with the objective of acquiring more profound insights into POP contamination in the surrounding environment of waste incinerator Ivry-Paris XIII.
This research represents one of the first studies on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in primary school air filter material by using bioassay analysis methods.
Key findings research Primary School Air Filters region Ivry-sur-Seine/suburb of Paris, September 2025:
- Dioxins ranging from 1.9 – 200.0 pg TEQ /gram dw
- Dioxins-like PCBs (dl-PCB) in school air filters range from 1.4 – 29 pg TEQ/g dw
- PAH in air filters: 5100 – 100,000 pg benzo[a]Pyrene equivalents per gram
- PFAS in air filter: 0.99 – 156 μg PFOA equivalent per gram dm, dw
- Indoor dust contained for 26.40 pg TEQ/g of dioxins and 40 µg PFOA eq./g dw of PFAS
