• Two years ago, the company STCM, which recycled batteries, closed its doors north of Toulouse.

  • Recent analyzes have shown concentrations above the regulatory threshold within a perimeter of 700 meters around the plant.

  • If no case of lead poisoning was found, Friday, the prefecture and the Regional Health Agency are launching health surveillance of the local population, ie 12,000 inhabitants, to detect possible lead contamination.

For nearly 70 years, the company STCM, located in the Fondeyre area, north of Toulouse, has recycled batteries.

In 2020, this Seveso-classified company closed its doors.

But the operation of a lead smelter, between 1952 and 2011, has left its mark.

If lead emissions in the air have disappeared with the cessation of this activity, the latest investigations on the quality of the soil show that 700 meters around the site, the concentrations can exceed the threshold of 300 mg of lead per kg. set by the High Council for Public Health.

And in the event of regular ingestion of lead, whether it is present in the earth or dust, there can be consequences for the health of the most fragile populations, likely to develop an intoxication baptized lead poisoning.

This can have consequences on the nervous system, in particular on its development in children under 7, the bone marrow or the kidneys.

To detect cases, it is necessary to do a blood lead level which allows to know the level of lead in the blood.

For the time being, the regional prefecture ensures that no case has been detected in the environment of the STCM.

In the area under surveillance, more than 1,500 students

But, as a precaution, it is setting up health surveillance from this Friday in an extended perimeter around the avenue de Fondeyre.

This is far from trivial since 12,000 people live in the area concerned, as well as six schools bringing together 1,526 students, three nurseries and a medical-educational institute.


“The objective of the device is to detect possible lead contamination of residents in order to offer, if necessary, medical care to the persons concerned”, indicate the State services in a press release.



A “lead poisoning screening”, thanks to a blood test, will therefore “preferably” be offered to the most sensitive people, in particular children under the age of 7, pregnant women or those who are planning a pregnancy.

“The health insurance will send a letter of invitation to screening to all households with identified susceptible people”, continue the authorities.

Residents can also contact their doctor to obtain a prescription for a blood test.

In the event of a high blood lead level, i.e. a rate greater than 50 g of lead per liter of blood, a home visit could take place “in order to characterize local exposure to lead and to adapt exposure prevention measures to the context. of his home, ”says the Regional Health Agency.

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  • Health

  • Seveso

  • Factory

  • Contamination

  • Screening

  • Surveillance