Conducted for the first time on a national scale, this study examines five health indicators and represents a step forward in understanding the impact of these industrial areas. The study thus suggests possible links between the selected health indicators and various factors related to industrial activity, such as distance or the intensity of industrial activity. The results of this research, supported by other international scientific publications, should nevertheless be interpreted with caution due to the study’s methodology and the limitations of the available environmental data. Having comprehensive, high-quality environmental data is essential for producing reliable analyses, tracking changes over time, and ensuring health monitoring across the entire country. Thus, Santé publique France emphasizes the importance of continuing efforts to protect populations living near industrial sites, particularly through the monitoring of industrial emissions.

Gaining a Better Understanding of the Impact of Industrial Zones on the Health of Nearby Residents

Industrial clusters, defined as geographic areas where multiple industrial facilities are concentrated, can be a source of nuisances, pollution, and concerns for nearby residents. Santé publique France has launched an ambitious work program to address these concerns and advance knowledge of the health impacts associated with industrial emissions on a national scale. This program aims, on the one hand, to shed light on the impact of industrial facilities on the health of nearby residents, and on the other hand, to study the relevance and feasibility of establishing health monitoring near French industrial clusters.

Thus, in response to the first joint call for projects launched by the Health Data Hub (HDH) and the Ecolab of the General Commission for Sustainable Development as part of Green Data for Health (GD4H), Santé publique France, in collaboration with INERIS, proposed conducting a nationwide study focusing on the major industrial clusters. Its objective was to assess the feasibility of linking indicators related to industrial activity with five health indicators: childhood asthma, chronic respiratory morbidity in adults, preterm birth, low birth weight for gestational age, and all-cause mortality (excluding violent deaths).

Two types of indicators related to industrial activity were developed in collaboration with INERIS:

• indicators of the geographical proximity of municipalities to industrial facilities,

• scores of industrial activity pressure calculated at the municipal level, focusing on eight pollutants, based on two databases designed to monitor industrial emissions (BDREP¹) and provide data on atmospheric emissions in France (INS²).

The results published today provide new insights into the impact of industrial activity on the health of nearby residents.

Some of the findings suggest a link between the impact of industrial facilities and the health of nearby residents

The study presents varying results depending on the data sources used and the indicators considered. However, they highlight an impact of major industrial areas on the health of nearby residents, particularly regarding respiratory conditions. In particular, the results reveal an increased risk of asthma in children and chronic respiratory morbidity in adults aged 40 or older in municipalities located near a major industrial hub compared to municipalities far from any type of industry.

In addition to industrial areas, the study examined more broadly the influence of all facilities classified for environmental protection (ICPE). It highlighted:

• an increased risk of childhood asthma, chronic respiratory morbidity in adults, preterm birth, and all-cause mortality (excluding violent deaths) in municipalities located near an ICPE subject to the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) or the SEVESO Directive compared to municipalities distant from an ICPE;

• an increased risk of childhood asthma and all-cause mortality in municipalities located near an ICPE compared to municipalities located at a distance from an ICPE.

These results confirm those of other studies published in the international scientific literature highlighting a link between industrial activities and the health of populations living near such sites. However, they should be interpreted with caution given certain limitations, particularly regarding:

• The accessibility, quality, accuracy, territorial coverage, timeliness, and completeness of the databases available to characterize industrial activity pressure in the context of an epidemiological study. Indeed, the study highlights the limitations of using emissions data collected from existing databases, which were not designed to estimate population exposure in the context of an epidemiological study;

• Results that vary depending on the industrial activity indicator considered;

• The study design does not allow for establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between exposure to industrial activities and health indicators.

Health monitoring and the need for improved environmental data

These findings underscore the importance of maintaining and strengthening environmental monitoring of industrial facilities and ensuring easy access to databases in accordance with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). This is an essential and necessary condition for the efficient cross-referencing of health data, with the aim of ensuring health monitoring across the entire country, including in overseas territories.

Furthermore, this study reinforces the need for a sustainable health monitoring system around all French industrial clusters, to support efforts to protect communities living near industrial sites, particularly through regulations and the monitoring of industrial emissions.

The BIS project, led by Santé publique France and INERIS, received support from the Health Data Hub (HDH) and the Ecolab of the General Commission for Sustainable Development as part of the first edition of the call for projects titled “Data for Research and Innovation in Health and the Environment.”
The BIS project received financial support from the HDH and technical support from the CGDD’s Ecolab as part of the Green Data for Health (GD4H) initiative regarding access to environmental data.

For more information: Announcement of the winners of the “Data for Research and Innovation in Health and the Environment” call for projects by the Health Data Hub and Green Data for Health.

The Health Data Hub is a public interest group created by the Law of July 24, 2019, on the organization and transformation of the healthcare system. It brings together 56 stakeholders, the vast majority of whom are from the public sector (CNAM, CNRS, France Assos Santé, etc.), and implements the major strategic guidelines for the National Health Data System established by the government, particularly the Ministry of Solidarity and Health. It is a service designed for the healthcare ecosystem, data collectors, organizations leading public interest projects, and civil society. In this regard, it promotes innovation in healthcare and the accessibility of data and knowledge through, among other things, collaborative events such as data challenges and calls for projects.

To learn more about the Health Data Hub

Press contact: presse@health-data-hub.fr

The Écolab of the General Commission for Sustainable Development (CGDD) is an innovation laboratory dedicated to the ecological transition, attached to the Ministries of Ecological Transition, Spatial Planning, Transport, Cities, and Housing.
The CGDD, a cross-functional directorate within the ministry, informs and supports the ministry’s actions through the production of data and analyses. It provides a comprehensive overview of environmental challenges.
Écolab operates through two key areas of focus:

• Data & AI for the ecological transition: for public policy, for the transformation of the ministry, and for managing ecological impact; oversight of the ministry’s administration of data, algorithms, and source code; national contact point for geolocated data.

• Fostering the French greentech ecosystem through the Greentech Innovation Award and support for startups and SMEs offering innovative and sustainable solutions (call for expressions of interest open from Nov. 24, 2025, to Jan. 19, 2026).

To learn more about Ecolab’s projects: greentechinnovation.fr

Press contact: presse@ecologie.gouv.fr