French Polynesia: Report on Hao atoll contamination divides community | Pacific Beat

Extracts from the study, which was commissioned by the French government, were leaked to the French newspaper Le Monde.

They say that the levels of heavy industrial pollutants detected in the atoll's soil were so high that it advised against all fishing and food cultivation in certain areas.

The territory's government says the study is proof that the French government needs to take responsibility and organise a thorough clean-up.

But, rather than welcoming the study, many of the island's residents say it has raised fresh questions about the extent of contamination . . . and some say they would prefer the matter be forgotten completely.

Helene Hofman finds out why.

Presenter: Helene Hofman

Speaker:Moetai Brotherson, Chief of Staff for French Polynesia's Vice-President; Suzanne Merehau, Mayor, Hao; Maxime Chan, Vice President, Te Ora Naho (French Polynesia's Federation of Organisations for the Protection of the Environment); Francois Dantzer, resident, Hao