Toulouse: lead pollution alert, comment 12,000 people are placed under surveillance
12,000 people will be placed under health surveillance after significant lead soil pollution was detected in the Fondeyre district of Toulouse.
As part of the dismantling of the STCM company located in the Barrière district of Paris in Toulouse, analyzes of lead in the soil showed, within the perimeter of the site, lead levels above the threshold determined by the High Council for Health public
(HCSP). The Prefect of Haute-Garonne has requested the implementation of specific health monitoring of exposure to lead of the populations concerned, ie 12,000 people. Here’s what you need to know:
What is the origin of the pollution?
STCM carried out a battery recycling activity on the site deployed in the Fondeyre industrial zone in Toulouse. It operated a lead smelter between 1952 and 2011, then the only battery reception and crushing facilities until 2020. The site was then permanently closed. The effects of lead emissions on air quality and soils have been monitored. This shows compliance with the lead standard and a gradual decrease in its concentration in the atmosphere until its virtual disappearance following the shutdown of the smelter in 2011. Monitoring lead in the food chain , through the analysis of lettuces grown near the site, did not reveal any health risk.
What depollution actions are underway?
With regard to the STCM site itself, a design plan for the depollution works has been defined, including a mixed soil treatment solution, namely an excavation of the earth followed by one or two washings then a return of the embankments. once cleaned.
A monthly monitoring of atmospheric conditions is also carried out during rehabilitation works. Dust, including
are weak, are sucked up at the source or consumed by misting.
Regarding the presence of lead in bare soil around the plant, a management plan must be proposed by the STCM. This plan will take into account the risk of exposure, the uses of the land impacted and the results of the health monitoring system that will be put in place.
Who is exposed to lead?
Lead dust is not detected in air and water; their presence in the soils is still detectable, thus exposing the people handling these soils around the site.
What are the health risks ?
The risks induced by this pollution deposited on an exposure by the recurrent ingestion of soil and by the associated dust.
Lead can have an impact on the health of the most vulnerable people. Lead is the cause of lead poisoning in young children (less than 7 years old), which can cause developmental delays and developed nervous system.
Thus, in coordination with the town hall of Toulouse, the departmental council and the academic management of the national education services, the ARS is setting up a health surveillance system for the populations concerned, aimed particularly at young children, pregnant women and to women planning to become pregnant, the populations most sensitive to the presence of lead in the environment. To date, no declared case of lead poisoning has been linked to this district by the ARS.
Who is concerned by health monitoring?
As a precaution, the ARS has chosen to extend the scope of health surveillance beyond the threshold defined by the HCSP (300 mg of lead per kg of soil) in order to include the entire population residing on soils where the concentration of lead exceeds 100 mg of lead per kg
of ground. Thus, more than 12,000 people reside within the established perimeter. Several establishments welcoming children are identified within this perimeter: 6 schools (1,526 pupils), 3 crèches and 1 medico-educational institute (75 children).
How will the health surveillance take place?
A “screening for lead poisoning” is carried out using a blood test to measure the lead per liter of blood (blood lead). It will preferably be offered to the most sensitive people (children under 7, pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant).
Health insurance will send an invitation letter to screening to all households with susceptible people.
Each person concerned is asked to consult their doctor to obtain information adapted to their context as well as a prescription for a blood test to be carried out in the medical analysis laboratory of their choice. All the results are returned to the doctor consulted, who informs the ARS in the event of high blood lead.
What actions in case of high blood lead?
Each household with a blood lead result above the intervention threshold set by the HCSP (50 g of lead per liter of blood) will be offered a home visit in order to characterize its local exposure to lead and to adapt preventive measures. of
exposure to the context of his home.