Event Description
A disscussion that explores the devastating legacy of chlordecone, a toxic chemical used in banana farming in Martinique and Guadeloupe. In 1975, the pesticide manufacturer LifeSciences shut down its plant after numerous employees were poisoned, and a local river was contaminated. Despite this, farmers in the French Antilles continued to use chlordecone, and even after it was officially banned in 1993, illegal imports and usage persisted. The chemical became so widespread that it contaminated nearly every aspect of daily life on the islands, with its presence in food and water. Today, 95% of the population in Guadeloupe and 92% in Martinique are affected by the chemical, contributing to one of the highest cancer rates in the world.
This event uncovers the long-running environmental injustice that has devastated the French islands, interviewing local residents, scientists, and government officials to reveal the truth behind the continued use of the pesticide for the sake of global commerce.
Event Information
Free and open to the public; registration required. For more information, please visit the event webpage or email [email protected].
Hosted by the Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities at Columbia University.
