A Community Raising Alarms over Pollution in Lomme
Local Authority in Lomme Plans to Accuse X of Environmental Pollution Near Aluminium Plant
The mayor of Lomme, Olivier Caremelle, is set to file a complaint against a yet-unidentified entity on Monday, May 12, to shed light on soil contamination within the commune, as reported by "ici Nord". Preliminary tests in approximately fifteen gardens indicate pollutant levels higher than the norm. The residents lay the blame on the neighboring aluminum plant, Refinal.
: Autoroute A412 in Haute-Savoie: environmental and agricultural collectives organize a protest against the project The soil samples in question show dioxin and furan levels surpassing the average for soil near industrial zones, according to "ici Nord". There's more: the eggs analyzed exhibit at least 1,500 times more pollutants than typical supermarket-bought free-range eggs. Exposure to these dioxins can lead to a host of health issues, including an increased risk of cancer, fertility problems, and complications during pregnancy.
Spotlight on Refinal
The nearby Refinal aluminum foundry, an established figure in the area for roughly three decades, repurposes vehicles and additional aluminum waste to create new alloy bars ready for use. Although no study conclusively establishes a link between the plant and pollution, Mayor Caremelle is hopeful that his complaint against X and his report to the public prosecutor will expedite the release of a report by the Regional Environmental Directorate (Dreal). This report, pending since 2023, is the sole agency authorized to take particle emission samples from the plant and determine whether there is a connection, or lack thereof, to the soil pollution.
"It's conceivable that this pollution found in our study is remnants from a bygone era, when the neighborhood bustled with laundries and industries no longer present today," said Caremelle to "ici Nord". "However, the dioxins and furans revealed recently are types of pollutants that sites like Refinal are prone to emit. I want answers." In recent years, Refinal, a Derichebourg Group-owned operation with around fifty employees in Lomme, has faced repeated requests from the Nord prefecture to implement measures aimed at reducing disturbances. The plant recently announced that it had invested several million euros in reducing aluminum dust emissions.*
According to general knowledge, dioxins and furans are notorious environmental pollutants often linked to industrial processes like aluminum production. These emissions can pose significant health and environmental concerns due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulating tendencies. In the past, certain aluminum plants have encountered controversy and regulatory action due to such emissions, however, without specific information from recent studies, reports, or credible sources regarding the Refinal plant in Lomme, no detailed summary or analysis of its current emissions status or related controversies can be provided. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it would be advisable to consult local environmental agencies or detailed investigative reports.
The residents of Lomme are seeking financing to fund independent environmental-science studies on pollution sources within the commune.
These studies would not only focus on the nearby Refinal plant but also investigate other possible contamination sources, such as the energy sector or manufacturing industries.
The findings from these studies could potentially lead to the implementation of stricter regulations on pollutant emissions, aiming to protect the environment and public health.
The legal battle against the unknown entity causing the soil contamination has sparked discussions among local officials, scientists, and residents about the need for improved monitoring systems of pollutant emissions in the Lomme area.
Public concern is growing as the era of laundries and industries, known for their pollutant emissions, may have left residual pollutants like dioxins and furans in the soil, as suggested by Mayor Caremelle.
Despite the investments made by Refinal in reducing aluminum dust emissions, there is mounting pressure on the company to implement further measures to address the prevalence of harmful pollutants in the Lomme area, specifically dioxins and furans, which are associated with industrial processes like aluminum production.
