In response to the tragic death of an 11-year-old girl from leukemia, linked to her mother's pesticide exposure during pregnancy, the French health agency Anses has initiated an investigation into the risks associated with pesticide exposure for workers in the floral industry and their children.

The case, known as the Marivain case, involved Laure Marivain, a former flower wholesaler, whose repeated exposure to pesticides while handling imported flowers was connected to her daughter's illness and subsequent death.

Laure Marivain's exposure to various herbicides in her role as a florist, where she handled large quantities of pesticide-treated flowers, underscores the urgent need for this investigation.

The findings of this study, which aims to inform potential regulatory changes regarding pesticide use, were made public on January 20, 2025.

A preliminary report from this extensive study is expected by September 2025, with the complete analysis projected to take around two years.

This investigation was prompted by the advocacy group Robin des Bois and has gained support from the ministries of Labor and Agriculture, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

The focus of the study will assess the risks posed by pesticides and pesticide residues specifically to workers in the ornamental plant sector, which includes both cut flowers and potted plants, as well as their children.

The French floral industry, which employs approximately 30,000 individuals, includes both artisan and commercial florists who may be affected by these findings.

Claire Bourasseau from the Phyto-Victimes association praised this initiative as a significant advancement following the Marivain case.

In 2023, the Fonds d’indemnisation des victimes de pesticides (FIVP) acknowledged the link between the mother's pesticide exposure and her daughter's leukemia.

However, a compensation request from the parents was denied by the Rennes Court of Appeal in December 2024 due to the absence of a legal framework for deceased victims.

Emmy, the girl who passed away from leukemia in March 2022 at the age of 11 and a half, serves as a poignant reminder of the potential dangers associated with pesticide exposure in the floral industry.