Rouen (AFP)

The state will conduct a "health survey" among the population that was under the fire of Lubrizol fire in Rouen, without making blood samples immediately, "scandalous", according to EELV.

"The objective of the declared general population health survey", which is to start in March, is "to measure the nuisances experienced by the exposed persons, the symptoms experienced, the impact on the quality of the life, social relations, family, professional and then the psychosocial consequences and perceived health, "said Anne Laporte director of regions of the agency Public Health France at a committee on transparency fire in Rouen.

It will concern the 215 municipalities that found themselves under the 22 km long smoke plume.

Regarding the possible "biological survey", "these are samples, it can be a collection of urine or blood," we expect the expert analyzes of all the work on the environment to know if we will implement this. biomonitoring survey; so I do not have a timetable for this investigation, "added Ms. Laporte.

It will not be "a survey on general population but on sampling determined by the contaminated zones" possible, she specified.

The environmental survey aims to detect pollutants even at a "low and very low" dose, said Regional Environment Director Patrick Berg. "Today, the 150 samples taken are satisfactory," he added.

Asked by AFP about the duration of the environmental survey, financed by Lubrizol and Normandie Logistique, he declined.

The environmental survey, out of 215 municipalities, must be completed a priori in the coming months, told AFP Mrs. Laporte and the ARS.

"It's scandalous," responded the MEP EELV and elected from the city of Rouen David Cormand, interviewed by phone.

"The preliminary investigation should have already been implemented, the time lost before eventually launching a serious investigation will have the effect that we will not know what the populations were exposed at the time of the disaster," he said. he adds.

During the meeting, Charlotte Goujon, mayor of Petit-Quevilly PS, commune that adjoins the plant Lubrizol, deplored odors and symptoms ("stinging tongue, nausea, gorges scratching") "persistent" among locals.

"There is less than before but even at the prefecture it happens again, it is more rare and attenuated, to have smells," acknowledged the prefect who took a decree to stop them from here to the end of the month".

© 2019 AFP