Levels of dioxins measured under the smoke plume of the Lubrizol chemical plant fire in Rouen are "relatively low" and close to "background noise," said Wednesday the National Institute of Industrial Environment and risks (Ineris).
"I do not think we should have any particular concern," said Raymond Cointe, director general of the National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risks (Ineris), during a press conference at the prefecture of Seine-Maritime. He referred to measurements on soot from the smoke plume of between 0.04 and 0.20 nanograms dioxin equivalent per square meter while "background pollution" was measured at 0.06 nanogram.
"It is necessary to continue the investigations"
"What can be said of these results is that it is possible that the fire led to the emission of dioxins, in this case, many fires lead to the emission of dioxins", added Raymond Cointe, who however referred to "relatively low levels" of pollution. "It is necessary to continue the investigations," added the senior official, stating that in "matter of dioxins, the main potential source of contamination is a source by ingestion", including via food. "Analyzes are underway for food products that could have been contaminated with dioxins," he said.