Health Impact of the Mange-Garri Landfill Site in Bouc-Bel-Air, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Following complaints from residents living near the Mange-Garri site, the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur Regional Health Agency (PACA) referred the matter to the Public Health France Intervention Unit in the PACA region and Corsica to determine whether the health conditions reported by the complainants could be linked to exposure to dust emitted by the storage site and whether health monitoring of the population was necessary in the area impacted by the Altéo site. The investigation conducted did not confirm the existence of a cluster of non-infectious conditions. Among the complainants, three individuals suffered from entirely different conditions, some of which were rare, with unknown etiology or multifactorial causes. Local physicians did not report observing any specific or increasing incidence of diseases among their patients, whether cancerous or respiratory. Respondents to the prospective questionnaire, distributed to residents living near the site, did not report any specific health conditions. The situation was, however, a source of concern and discomfort, particularly due to dust. Under certain weather conditions, this dust could cause eye or respiratory irritation, as reported by the complainants and some respondents. From an environmental perspective, the available data showed that the Mange-Garri storage site had an impact on its immediate surroundings. However, the population’s exposure to dust was greater in the municipality of Gardanne. Assessments conducted by the IRSN showed that the radiological risk posed by the facility was low. In light of these results, it was not deemed appropriate to further pursue the cluster investigation. Discussions are underway to assess the relevance and feasibility of conducting an epidemiological study across a broader area surrounding the alumina plant. Environmental monitoring of dust is also continuing, and ANSES has been tasked with assessing the health risks associated with the alumina plant and the storage site.

Author(s): Lasalle JL, Malfait P

Publishing year: 2017

Pages: 42 p.

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