Since the flames ravaged the plant Lubrizol in Rouen, September 26, issuing toxic fumes, site Seveso worried. These potentially dangerous industrial sites are no longer welcome on the territory. But it is difficult to escape as they are numerous: France has some 1,355 sites listed, of which 720 are ranked high.
>> To read: In Rouen, the Lubrizol fire gives way to the fire of anger and worry
The latest outcry against a Seveso-listed company goes back to October 30th. An association for the protection of local residents won its case against an industrialist before the administrative court of Rouen. The court has annulled a prefectural decree authorizing the operation of a Seveso classified high-level phytosanitary products storage site north of the city. Until then, the decree authorized the company to store up to 4,150 tonnes of pesticides in Vieux-Manoir, north of Rouen. "I think there is an awareness in Rouen of 'never again that', assured AFP Annick Pividal, vice president of the defense association of the five communes of the Buchy plateau, commenting on the decision Here people are very shocked by the impact of the Lubrizol fire. "
"Even in full Larzac, they will continue to pollute"
Fears are not confined to Seine-Maritime. In Martigues, in the South of France, Sylvestre Puech is no more reassured by the activities of the petrochemical site Lavera, classified Seveso, located a few kilometers from his home. Regularly, black smoke escapes from the torches of one of the factories of the site. When a risk of accidents arises, the chemicals present in the installations are evacuated to the emergency torches by the operators in order to be burned. "When we see the black plumes emerge from the chimneys, we can not help but think that we breathe a cocktail of harmful particles." And manufacturers can send us reassuring emails, we know that this is not not good for us, the worried neighbor feels, people are living somehow with this site next to their home. "
No question, however, to claim that this site is moved. "Even in full Larzac, they will continue to pollute," says Sylvestre Puech. "These industrial sites generate jobs, they are necessary for the region, but they present risks that deserve maximum security.These manufacturers must put their hands in their pockets to further secure their site."
A 34 % increase in accidents
In Donges, near Nantes, we do not want the Seveso establishment of Total Antargaz and SFDM to be moved. But we do not want the site to nibble on the territory as it has done for years. It has grown so much that it has encroached on the railway line on which 60 to 70 convoys pass per day, including the TGV of the Paris-Nantes line.
A problematic situation when we know that accidents occur regularly on the site. For the year 2018 alone, no less than three incidents were noted, said Michel Le Cler, member of the national coordination of riverside associations of Seveso sites. A gas leak in April, a fireball in October and a sulfuric acid leak in November.
These recurring incidents reflect a national trend. The number of industrial accidents has increased by 34% in two years, reveals the office of analysis of risks and industrial pollution (Barpi) of the Ministry of the Transition ecological and solidarity in its last inventory of technological accidents published on September 10, 2019. In total, the year 2018 was marked by 1,112 accidents of this type, against 827 in 2016.
Aging sites in urban areas
The study goes further since it indicates that accidents at Seveso establishments "contribute significantly to this development". While these sites accounted for 15% of accidents in 2016, they constituted 25% in 2018. Curiously, last March, the same ministry communicated other figures that showed instead a slight decrease in the number of accidents.
In reality, many sites in France are aging. Originally built in the middle of rural areas during the 20th century, they have been overtaken by rapid urbanization and have been surrounded by housing, shops and administrative buildings.
However, after the catastrophe of the AZF factory in Toulouse on September 21, 2001, a strict regulation in this area had been put in place by the Bachelot law of 2003. But in many sectors, the plans for prevention of technological risks (PPRT ) provided for in the legislation are still not applied. Blame for lengthy and costly procedures, particularly related to expropriations.
Fewer agents, less money
The department of the Ecological and Solidarity Transition also points to the progress of the bad taking into account of the feedback of experience to explain the increase of the accidents of the sites Seveso. "After every incident on a Seveso site, a follow-up committee would normally meet, but to date, the commission has still not met for all three incidents in Donges in 2018," said volunteer Michel Le Cler, who should have taken part. However, in France, in more than 25 cases, it is noted that an incident has already occurred on the same site without measures being taken to avoid a new one. The Lubrizol factory had already had an accident in 2013.
To this is added the insufficiency of the controls by the services of the State. According to figures released in March 2019, the number of inspectors of classified installations amounted to 1,607 in 2018 compared to 1,627 in 2016, ie twenty agents less. These officials carried out 18,196 inspections in 2018 compared to 30,000 in 2006. A 39% decrease in twelve years.
The situation should not improve since the State appropriations allocated to "risk prevention", especially technological, in 2020 are down for the first time since 2016. A relative decline of less than 500 000 euros on a budget of more than 90 million. But in a context where the industrial risks of aging factories are increasing, this reduction gives food for thought.
Not enough to reassure residents. "In the streets of Donges, you can not take a step without meeting a person who is not tied to Total by his wife, son, friend ... Nobody wants to see her go. by dint of hearing opaque speeches from the authorities and the industrialists and to note that the risks at the source are minimized, doubts are interfering in the head of the people ", concluded Michel Le Cler. And disasters happen.
The term " Seveso" is the generic name for a series of European directives that require EU Member States to identify industrial sites with major-accident hazards. The managers of these "Seveso sites" are required to maintain a high level of prevention.
This directive is named after the Seveso disaster that took place in Italy in 1976 and prompted European states to adopt a common policy on the prevention of major industrial risks.