Post-Fire Health 76. The Need for a Biomonitoring Study Following the Fire in Rouen on September 26, 2019 [Summary]

Santé publique France proposed to assess the feasibility of conducting a biomonitoring study in the general population, focusing on substances dispersed by the smoke plume that may have had a significant impact on the environment or the food chain. The objectives of such a study were to potentially propose measures to reduce exposure to the targeted substances—complementary to those implemented in the aftermath of the fire—and, if necessary, to recommend a system for monitoring the population’s health. The supplementary analysis conducted by Santé publique France aligns with the conclusions of the various stakeholders and operators involved, indicating that, as things stand—and without completely ruling it out—there is no evidence to conclude that contamination resulting from the fire is distinguishable from historical industrial pollution. No objective evidence suggests long-term overexposure of nearby residents to the identified substances. Given the available environmental data, conducting a biomonitoring study according to the defined objectives does not appear relevant. Indeed, the interpretation of the resulting data would not allow for attributing any potential overexposure to the fire, since biomonitoring surveys conducted in France show that the general population is exposed to these substances. Such a study would therefore not provide additional information useful for implementing measures to reduce public exposure beyond those already implemented in the aftermath of the fire.

Author(s): Kairo Cécile, Fréry Nadine, Boulanger Guillaume, Blanchard Myriam, Fillol Clémence

Publishing year: 2021

Pages: 6 p.

Collection: Summary - Studies and Surveys

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