Environmental health is a priority focus of this Local Health Contract, which aims in particular to reduce residents' exposure to sources of pollution, particularly endocrine disruptors.
According to the WHO, an endocrine disruptor is "an exogenous substance or mixture that alters the function(s) of the endocrine system and has a deleterious effect on the health of an individual, his or her descendants or subpopulations".
To preserve and improve everyone's health, the City of Montpellier promotes access to information, awareness-raising and training for all its residents, professionals and agents. It is also improving its own environmental health practices within its municipal establishments open to the public.
Where are endocrine disruptors found?
Many synthetic chemicals are considered endocrine disruptors. The best-known are:
- parabens (certain hygiene products),
- bisphenol A (certain plastic items, inner linings of cans),
- phthalates (certain soft plastic items), or pesticides such as chlordecone.
Flame retardants are also found in upholstered furniture, perfluorinated compounds in certain non-stick pans, Triclosan in deodorants or toothpastes.
Sensitivity to endocrine disruptors varies according to the period of life.Pregnancy, infancy, childhood and adolescence are periods of heightened sensitivity to these substanceswhich can irreversibly alter certain functions of their bodies.
Events to raise residents' awareness of environmental health issues and endocrine disruptors
In 2024, the City organized an Environmental Health Forum "Changeons nos comportements pour améliorer notre santé" on the forecourt of the Espace Gisèle Halimi (Mosson district) to inform and raise awareness among the general public of the issues involved in taking environmental health into account, with a focus on endocrine disruptors, sustainable menstrual hygiene and tiger mosquitoes.
Many partners are committed alongside the city: the ARS, the Mutualité Française Occitanie, the CHU, the CODES 34, the CPIE APIEU Territoires de Montpellier, the Family Planning, the EID Méditerranée.
From September 25 to 30, 2023, the first edition of the annual event to raise awareness of environmental health and endocrine disruptors took place in Montpellier, around the theme "Endocrine disruptors in my home: how can I act?"
As part of Mutualité Française Occitanie's "Femme Enceinte Environnement et Santé" program, the City of Montpellier also organized information sessions to raise awareness among early childhood professionals, local elected officials and families of the environmental risks that can affect pregnant women's health. In addition, training has been provided for healthcare professionals to inform them about these issues.
Management of municipal crèches involved in prevention
Following awareness-raising sessions implemented by the City for the directors of municipal daycare centers in the 1st quarter of 2023, some of them are offering parents of children in their crèche a "parents' café" to raise awareness of the issues involved in combating endocrine disruptors, particularly during early childhood, a period of high vulnerability.
In 2024, the city is actively supporting day-care centers towards more environmentally-friendly practices, promoting purchases that respect children's health and raising awareness among early childhood professionals to reduce exposure to the chemical substances of greatest concern, including endocrine disruptors.
Raising awareness of environmental health issues among children, intermediaries and local citizens
Thanks to its "Raising awareness of environmental health issues among children, relay actors and local citizens" project, a winner of the 4th Occitanie Regional Environmental Health Plan, Montpellier is organizing, from 2025 onwards, awareness-raising actions for children, training for local actors and participatory workshops with families, all focused on environmental health issues.
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In practice
