In Corrèze, a "historic" conviction of a water distribution union for pollution with VC, a carcinogenic gas

A water distribution union was ordered to pay €2,000 to a resident exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (CVM), a carcinogenic gas found in PVC water pipes from the 1970s. The resident, who consumed contaminated tap water for five years, discovered the issue through home testing in 2020. The court ruled that the union failed to provide safe drinking water and did not inform the plaintiff of the risks. This ruling is considered unprecedented for a water distributor. Environmental lawyer Gabrièle Gien highlighted the case's significance, noting that nationwide, hundreds of thousands may be affected by CVM pollution, particularly in rural areas.