Cyanobacteria in Lorraine: regional media seek L2A’s expertise

Published on 27/08/2026

On 20 and 21 August 2026, Damien Banas, a lecturer at L2A, was approached on three separate occasions, as part of different journalistic enquiries, to provide scientific insight into the proliferation of cyanobacteria in aquatic environments in Lorraine.  These requests form part of the ongoing scientific expert work carried out on this subject, notably Damien Banas’s contribution to the ANSES collective expert review on the risks associated with cyanobacteria and their toxins, published in 2020.

These initiatives contribute to the promotion of scientific culture and the transfer of knowledge to society. They highlight the societal impact of the expertise developed at L2A and help to enhance the scientific and institutional reputation of the laboratory and the University of Lorraine.

In an interview conducted by Florian Stolarz and published on 20 August by L’Est Républicain, entitled ‘Irritation, nausea, animal deaths… what risks do cyanobacteria pose?’, he discusses the characteristics of these microorganisms, the conditions that favour their growth, the difficulties involved in identifying them, and the associated risks to human and animal health. (lien vers l'article)

On 21 August, Maëlys Roesy, a journalist at France 3 Lorraine, also published an online article on this subject entitled ‘Heatwave: cyanobacteria are proliferating in Lorraine’s ponds’. The article highlights, in particular, the role of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs, the effects of rising temperatures and falling water levels, the ecological and health consequences of the blooms, and the limitations of remedial treatments. (lien vers le site)

Apart from this article, Damien Banas was invited on the same day by the editorial team of France 3 Lorraine’s television news programme. He appeared live on the set of *19/20 Lorraine* to answer questions about cyanobacteria and the risks associated with their proliferation.