A fire broke out at the Lubrizol plant on the night of September 26, 2019. This plant, located in the Rouen port area (25 Quai de France), specializes in the manufacture of lubricant additives. The fire caused a large plume of smoke and strong odors. A specific monitoring system was implemented to detect any unusual increases in emergency room visits and SOS Médecins calls for target conditions.

This surveillance relies on data from emergency departments and SOS Médecins associations via the Sursaud® system. The geographic area studied covers the Rouen metropolitan area: Charles Nicolle University Hospital (adult and pediatric), St. Julien Hospital, Clinique du Cèdre, Clinique de l’Europe, and the SOS Médecins association in Rouen.

A specific, context-based coding system labeled “Pathology X” is used by physicians at the SOS Médecins Rouen association to identify any procedures related to the Lubrizol fire. This coding system could not be implemented in the emergency departments of the Rouen metropolitan area.