Hi , everyone ! I was looking for infos about canton Jura and I found an old comment (maybe ) related to my problem . Unknown health issues ...
I live in Canton Jura since 2021 and I start to put myself some questions seeing a lot of people with health problems . Mostly in Delémont ...I always got the impression that there is here something wrong that makes people look unhealthy . Very , very skinny , depressed faces , many persons with disabilities and guess what ! My husband started to have health problems after the first year here. He never had one in his entire life . And now I see this comment of about contaminated water . (Bonfol site ) Do you heard anything about that ? Could it be true ? If so, why are still so many people living here ? Don't they know about the old contamination ? Any word could help me find an idea on what shall we do in the near future . My husband started to have health issues , have already seen a few specialists and no one did find the source of his bad health .
Why is Canton Jura considered a ‘‘ depressing dump ‘‘ ?
For good or bad, the Industrial Revolution happened in the 18th century in what is now Canton Jura. This is the list of polluted sites in the canton, Bonfol is not alone https://www.jura.ch/DEN/ENV/Sites-po…s-pollues.html
But, enough of sad and worrying things. If I remember well, there are drinking water sources in Jura which have some micropollutants, but before distributing water to homes said micropollutants are removed. I found this press release from 2021 stating half of the water sources have pollution levels below the limit and the other half have purification systems to bring micropollutants below the limit https://www.jura.ch/CHA/SIC/Centre-m…cellente.html#
If you pay attention to local media you’ll eventually read about the impact of high costs to purify water from micropollutants in the municipal and cantonal budgets. I could say that today (emphasis on today) it’s safe to drink water from the robinet in Jura. Back in the 70s and 80s…it’s another story, and that might be related to your impressions. Considering that pollutants are also in soil, and the heritage from the Industrial Revolution, I’d prefer to live in a modern building and not so close to a polluted site listed in the cantonal list (>100-200m). Statistically, those charming homes from centuries ago might not be the nicest place to be.
Finally, sorry for being an armchair detective. I’d just point to the long and cloudy winter. From my personal experience, due to work, covid for 2nd time, and family issues I have not spent enough time outdoors this winter and the effects on mood are terrible. Get some sunlight first, then start worrying about pollutants.
Thank you , Axa ! I am an optimistic person and I tried to see the good things of Swiss life , but the change did hit us , despite all . As you said , we thought it‘s the lack of sun in this area , we also did buy a daylight therapy lamp and we hope for the spring to come now and give us more rays of light . We have to start fishing ! That will help a lot !
The daylight therapy lamp has actually really helped us! We both come from sunny places and I hadn't realized how much the long cloudy winters hindered us from being our normal selves.
Tip: I had sat in front of the lamp as instructed and it never worked for me ... my husband decided to turn it on in one corner of the room and you will be amazed at how much it brightens things up and helps with the mood. At first I was annoyed by having this bright lamp around all the time - but it really improved my husband and I's spirit.
Why don’t you move higher up in the Canton? Plenty of areas are above the clouds and most importantly water isn’t known to move uphill so you are away from all those nasty pollutants.
PS moved to Delémont 12 years ago and I did once get covid (actually just in January) and also can have up to two colds a year. 🤷 I’m not sure the micro pollutants are to blame ..
IIRC you started a thread awhile back about potentially leaving Switzerland and you seemed to think Ireland would be a reasonable alternative. I tried to warn you that the dark damp overcast winters there are absolutely soul-sucking but you seemed to think they wouldn't bother you. Maybe now you might feel differently?
There are other issues more bothersome that I would trade for grey skies ... I actually don't mind them on a conscious level. It does however bother my husband, so of course we would have to consider whether it would work for him or not ...
Large swathes of the Jura, be it in JU, NE, BE, VD, are above the clouds and have very bright sun (the lumière des horlogers- the watchmakers' light) - most of the winter- well not today, but a lot of the time. One of the reasons we chose to live where we do, I couldn't stand to live below fog as most of my lake dwelling friends are. No water pollution up here either. Apart from a periodic muck spreading, no pollution at all.
OP: sorry to hear about your husband. Follow your instincts and get a second opinion with a specialist for his particular health condition. If you do not know where to start, get to the nearest Kantonspital and maybe book an appointment with the specialist department there and if you do not know which one to head to first, try the Inner-medizin department as a starting point and they may be able to help him.
Susie-Q , thanks for the advice ! That‘s exactly what we did ! Now is faced to the wall and it's our favourite source of light in the living room . But look , there is plenty of sun today , so let's hope for better days !
Oh ! That smell was coming from you !? �� Just kidding...Can you tell mey where do you live ? I know, I love little villages around Delémont but my son started school here and he already has friends ...Is not so easy to move . But I really miss all that light of yours...Once we get out of the city we see the difference .
I see he is a little better now , but thank you for the advice (I wrote down the Inner M.Depart ) . We will step out of the canton for the next visit if needs another one . We have seen a few specialists here and they said is all good and that he may have done a burn out time with all those changes for our family . He is making the permit for fishing now , hoping that will clear his mind a bit . He has another blood test this week for his Vit D , B-s...I am really curious . I can bet he has 0 Vit D :-)) .
I know , you are right ! He got sick, I didn't ..But hey , I am a woman ! You know we all die the last :-))
We got also the water statistics and results at home , in the mail box , and I guess that they aren‘t kidding with this . But I will consider also to see how much it costs to put a water filter in the kitchen , a good one . 2000/3000 ? Everything that is under 1000 I call it cheap :-)) My God, we still make jokes about swiss costs .
Oh ! That could be possible ... We live in a house . Now I have to find how and where to call for a test and see the situation . Thanks a lot !
Thanks again ! I found on their site to check with my address and they have also a list of measuring laboratories . I will keep you updated .
Radon could be an issue. But honestly people around the Jura moutains tend to live in their late 80s and 90s as the norm- same in regions of the UK with high levels of radon in limestone regions like Peak District and Yorkshire Dales.
Hope you've got the sun and that amazing light today, as we have up here in the Neuchâtel Jura.
I already made two calls . In fact , they confirmed that Jura has a high level of Radon gas , but it takes years to have health problems and in certain conditions . They can make some tests , but they assured me that even if the level is high , it‘s enough to open the windows for fresh air , as I normally do . I also asked why they let people rent houses without knowing the level of radon because we can‘t know about such an issue ...and the lady said that is written in the contract if you sell a house , but for renting is not requested . I chilled down a bit , because I should have health problems if it's randon's fault :-) , my husband doesn‘t stay at home that much .
But , thanks again , it‘s good to know I've checked all possibilities before having big or other problems .
(sorry for not knowing how to group replies or to say thanks to a reply.. I am new to your forum )
Radon doesn't interact chemically with anything very much - certainly nothing found in living tissue. The problem is that it is radioactive - an alpha emitter.
The only effect Radon gas has on your health is that it increases the chance of lung cancer. In fact, after smoking, it's the leading cause of lung cancer.
Although if you were to lie down in a Radon filled room you'd asphyxiate.