Jean-Christophe Balouet (12 November 1956 − 31 March 2021) was a French
palaeontologist. He has collaborated extensively with
Storrs Olson of the
Smithsonian Institution on
palaeornithological research on the extinct birds of
New Caledonia
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, image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg
, map_alt = Location of New Caledonia
, map_caption = Location of New Caledonia
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in the south-west
Pacific region.
Education
Jean-Christophe attended University Paris at La Sorbonne University (Jussieu) he obtained a Degree in Advanced Studies in 1982; and a Doctorate in 1984. He was a postdoctorate scientist at the
Smithsonian Institution in 1986, and a research scientist in the National Museum of Natural History, Paris.
Environmental projects
Jean-Christophe worked with
Jacques Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau, (, also , ; 11 June 191025 June 1997) was a French naval officer, oceanographer, filmmaker and author. He co-invented the first successful Aqua-Lung, open-circuit SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus). T ...
on ''Calypso'' and later was founder and manager of the Clinic for Oiled Sea Birds from 1978 supertanker wreck ''Amoco Cadiz''.
From 1989 to 1994 he worked as a consultant for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Industry Technology and Economics Office, in charge of technology, scientific and regulatory surveys worldwide. He was editor of the
OzonAction
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is responsible for coordinating responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system. It was established by Maurice Strong, its first director, after the United Nations Conference on ...
, an international newsletter where he collaborated with over 1000 private and public parties.
From 1993 to 2021 Jean-Christophe was a manager at Environment International. The company specialized in
environmental forensics
A biophysical environment is a biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism or population, and consequently includes the factors that have an influence in their survival, development, and evolution. A biophysical environment can vary in scale f ...
, consultancy and expertise, science and technology, regulations and standards, surveys, analysis, compliance, anticipation and management issues in various industries. The company dealt with pollution events, environmental impact, occupational and public exposures to the environment. Jean-Christophe was an expert witness in international legal cases and governmental enquiries (USA, Europe, Australia).
Aerotoxic syndrome
USAF Flight Surgeon Dr Harry Hoffman, Australian Toxicologist and French Forensic scientist Jean-Christophe Balouet's published after much international research, the term ''
aerotoxic syndrome'' on 20 October 1999 to describe the acute and chronic human ill health caused by exposure to toxic oil fumes in most commercial jets. Jean-Christophe Balouet not only raised awareness of this public health issue but he was also instrumental in the decision to change the architecture of the
Boeing 787 Dreamliner back to using electrically compressed 'outside' air, which is unique as this airplane does not use unfiltered, unmonitored ‘bleed air’ for cabin ventilation.
Publications
Jean-Christophe Balouet authored 96 peer-reviewed publications and his works have been translated into many languages with him contributing to over 300 articles, 150 radio and 70 TV programs in 12 countries. He has participated in over 90 international meetings, delivered more than 50
presentations at international conferences, contributed to four international standards committees as chair and to three committees as a member.
* 1989 – ''Fossil Birds from Late Quaternary Deposits in New Caledonia'' (With Storrs Olson). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 469. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.
* 1990 – ''Extinct species of the world: lessons for our future'' (With
Eric Alibert
The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization).
The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* ai ...
). Letts: London.
References
1956 births
2021 deaths
French paleontologists
French ornithologists
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