Nearly eight months later, the Lubrizol fire remains a part of the daily life of the Rouennais. The Rouen Respire association publishes this Tuesday a study (available on the site) conducted on 565 people to assess the consequences of the tragedy on the health of residents. According to the first results, 20% of those questioned said that they still live in anxiety today.
On September 26, 2019, a fire ravaged the Lubrizol factory in Rouen. A plume of black smoke rose above the city, resulting from the combustion of chemicals, worrying the inhabitants. According to the results of the study published on Tuesday, 80% of participants said they felt anguish at the time of the fire, and 20% said they still suffer from it today. Respondents say they have experienced physical manifestations: headache, tingling tongue or throat. But also, less frequently, discomfort and rashes.
Respiratory diseases and persistent odors
People with medical conditions, including respiratory illnesses, have reported worsening of their condition. According to the study, "86% of people with chronic respiratory disease have experienced worsening of their symptoms, most often noted by a doctor".
Another complaint from respondents: odors, felt by 92% of those questioned more than once a week. "These odors - which reflect the gases emitted by the fire, some of which are highly toxic chemicals, and the persistence in the open air of unburned chemicals - were maintained for several months (and we know that 'they still persisted beyond the end of the questionnaire), ”reports the study.
Public inquiry delayed by epidemic
The study was conducted to fill a void left by public inquiries. In Le Parisien , Nathalie Le Meur, a volunteer at Rouen Respire, explains that the investigation by Public Health France was to start in March, but it was postponed with the epidemic of coronavirus and its results could not be known until 2021 Too long for the volunteers, who wanted to be able to rely on figures. The association recognizes, however, the limits of its study, to which many members of the association responded, recalls Actu.fr. Audiences "particularly aware" of the problem.
Two parliamentary missions must work on the subject. That of the National Assembly put forward several proposals to avoid industrial accidents: increase sanctions against polluters, organize evacuation exercises for the population, increase the number of factory inspectors. The Senate committee of inquiry had to interrupt its work due to coronavirus and will resume it after the health crisis.
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