Post-Fire Health 76. Monitoring the health of workers following the industrial fire in Rouen on September 26, 2019. Recommendations from the Normandy Occupational Health Alert Group (GAST).

Some workers, particularly those on-site but also some workers present under the smoke plume, were exposed to pollution emitted by the fire, but uncertainties remain regarding the nature and levels of exposure; Medical follow-up has been arranged for certain workers by occupational health services and the medical department of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) - 76. The short-term effects observed were primarily irritant in nature, similar to those described for the general population; It is proposed that details of fire exposure be recorded in occupational health medical records for all workers present on-site (on the day of the fire and thereafter) and for those under the smoke plume on the day of the fire; Given the limited duration of exposure, the nature of the pollutants, the identified health effects, and best practices for occupational health surveillance, the implementation of specific post-exposure medical monitoring is not indicated; however, the risk of anxiety should be considered during subsequent occupational health consultations. For firefighters, medical monitoring for conditions related to chemical exposure should be strengthened as part of the specific medical follow-up already in place for their profession; Epidemiological monitoring is proposed for all workers present on-site (on the day of the fire and thereafter) and for those under the smoke plume on the day of the fire (including subcontractors), similar to the monitoring that will be implemented for the general population using the national health data system; Healthcare management for workers during an industrial accident must be improved in terms of, first, preparedness, response, and coordination among stakeholders; second, knowledge of exposures (through the rapid collection of biological samples for preservation); and finally, medical and epidemiological monitoring.

Author(s): Blanchard Myriam, Morel Pauline, Moisan Frédéric, Erouart Stéphane, Boulanger Guillaume

Publishing year: 2021

Pages: 7 p.

Collection: Studies and Surveys

In relation to

Our latest news

news

2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men

news

Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...

Visuel illustratif

news

Public Health France 2026 Barometer: Launch of the Survey