Le Figaro Nantes
On December 21, a gasoline leak was detected on the agitator of one of the tanks at the Donges refinery (Loire-Atlantique).
Technicians from TotalEnergies, the company that manages the industrial site, and firefighters from the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (Sdis) had taken almost five days to overcome it.
During the incident, the prefecture and the management of the site had recognized the emanation of
“strong odors of gasoline”
and indicated frequent measurements of the quality of the air.
Among the organizations solicited for their achievements was Air Pays de la Loire.
This structure has just published a first report in this direction, the results of which worry local residents.
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Among the conclusions of the document published on Monday and which
Le Figaro
was able to consult, it is indicated that the gasoline leak caused
"an increase in the number of compounds detected"
in the air.
"More than thirty"
were noted, compared to the
"thirteen compounds detected"
usually, at the time of the first samples taken on December 21 and 22 in the town of Donges, in particular near the primary school or the post office.
The report also indicates
"very large increases in concentration levels"
of certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
For thirteen of them, the multiplication is estimated at
"a factor between 91 and 1830"
.
Benzene, a proven carcinogen
Air Pays de la Loire encourages you to take your measures with caution because of the
"high sensitivity to wind directions"
.
As a result, the organization specifies that the results found cannot be compared
“to other studies carried out previously”.
To see more clearly the importance of the pollution detected
,
new health impact studies are expected.
The National Institute for the Industrial Environment and Risks (Ineris) must in particular publish a report to this effect in the days to come.
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On the side of the residents of the refinery, even before the publication of these additional results, the concern is in order.
Several of them, gathered within the Donge association of risk areas and the PPRT (ADZRP), expressed their anger via a press release.
“It is indeed carcinogenic benzene and neurotoxic hexane which were inhaled in high doses by the Dongeoises and Dongeois when they were doing their market Thursday morning December 22 and then throughout the day”
, is it written in particular .
Lack of transparency according to local residents
In their text, they also point to
“the hasty statements”
and
“often contradictory statements by state officials”
shortly after the detection of the gasoline leak.
They target in particular the prefecture of Loire-Atlantique which had mentioned an
“absence of health impact”
while asking
“residents to limit their trips outside as well as outdoor activities”
.
According to the members of the ADZRP,
"the reassuring speech of the prefect is clearly undermined"
by the Air Pays de la Loire report.
The latter, who denounce a lack of transparency on the part of the authorities, reiterate their desire to see the installation of continuous sensors capable of measuring the concentrations of toxic pollutants in real time, like what already exists at the Gonfreville-l' Orcher (Seine-Maritime).
Finally, they demand the publication of all the measurements taken in
"the air but also the water and the soil",
as well as those in relation to the use of foams used to limit the spread of odors.
Contacted by
Le Figaro
, the prefecture of Loire-Atlantique has not yet responded to our requests.
