Réindustrialisation Fos Berre : adapter la surveillance de la qualité de l’air est impératif !

The industrial landscape of the Fos-sur-Mer and Étang de Berre region in Southern France is currently undergoing a massive transformation. As the French government and regional authorities push forward with a ambitious "green" reindustrialization plan aimed at decarbonizing the heavy industry sector, a coalition of environmental and health advocacy groups has raised a significant alarm. They contend that the existing framework for monitoring air quality is fundamentally ill-equipped to track the cumulative health risks posed by both legacy pollution and the influx of new industrial projects.

For decades, the Fos-Berre industrial zone has been a cornerstone of the French economy, hosting petrochemical refineries, steel production, and logistics hubs. However, the current strategy for industrial expansion, which claims to prioritize sustainability, faces intense scrutiny from local organizations. These groups argue that the region is suffering from a state of general unpreparedness, particularly regarding the protection of public health.

A Shrinking Network in a Growing Zone

The primary point of contention is the degradation of the local air quality monitoring infrastructure. Data provided by the signatory associations—including France Nature Environnement PACA and the Association de défense et de Protection du Golfe de Fos—highlights a troubling trend. Between 2011 and 2025, the region saw the closure of 24 fixed air-quality monitoring stations. Paradoxically, these closures have occurred in the western part of the Bouches-du-Rhône department, precisely where the highest concentration of industrial activity and the majority of new development projects are located.

Experts point out that the current network relies on outdated methodologies that fail to capture the nuances of modern industrial emissions. Specifically, the measurement of fine particles and, more crucially, ultra-fine particles (UFPs), remains severely limited. UFPs are widely recognized by the scientific community as having the most direct and severe impact on human health due to their ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory system and the bloodstream. Furthermore, hazardous pollutants such as Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and heavy metals like cadmium are currently not subject to specific, permanent, and transparent monitoring, leaving a significant gap in the region’s environmental health profile.

The Disconnect Between Studies and Reality

The debate has intensified following the release of several scientific studies, including SCENARI 2, REVELA 13, and the BIS (Bassin Industriel et Santé) report. While these studies were intended to shed light on the environmental impact of the industrial cluster, local associations argue that their methodology is inherently flawed.

The SCENARI 2 study, for instance, focuses on a theoretical health risk assessment based on average emission data provided by the industrial operators themselves. It fails to integrate real-time health data from the local population. Critics argue that this "paper-based" assessment ignores the lived reality of residents who are exposed to daily variations in air quality that are masked by annual averages.

Similarly, the REVELA 13 study, which examines the incidence of specific cancers such as kidney and bladder cancer and acute leukemia, is viewed by local stakeholders as too narrow in scope. By isolating specific pathologies, the study overlooks the broader range of chronic illnesses often associated with prolonged exposure to industrial pollution, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and complications related to pregnancy and fetal development.

The "One Health" Imperative

The coalition of NGOs emphasizes that the current assessment process is incompatible with the "One Health" framework—a holistic approach adopted by the French government that recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and environmental integrity. By ignoring the potential for bioaccumulation, the "exposome" (the measure of all the exposures of an individual in a lifetime), and the risk of zoonotic diseases resulting from biodiversity loss in the region, current impact assessments are incomplete.

The failure of regional authorities to respond to formal inquiries adds to the growing sense of frustration among the public. Neither the Prefect of the region nor the office of Member of the European Parliament Nora Mebarek have provided substantive responses to recent correspondence regarding the inadequacy of air monitoring protocols. This lack of transparency and communication is viewed by the coalition as a direct contradiction to the government’s pledge to engage in an open and inclusive debate about the future of the Fos-Berre industrial zone.

The Need for Real-Time Monitoring and Transparency

The core demand from the concerned associations is the implementation of a permanent, robust, and transparent monitoring system that utilizes modern sensor technology to capture real-time data. Such a system is essential for several reasons:

1. Public Safety: Residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, require timely information to adapt their activities during periods of peak pollution.
2. Scientific Accuracy: Continuous data collection is necessary to calibrate forecasting models and provide the empirical foundation for longitudinal research into the toxicological effects of pollutants—not just in isolation, but in their synergistic, cumulative, and combined forms.
3. Accountability: As the region invests billions in industrial decarbonization, the environmental performance of these new projects must be independently and rigorously verified. Relying on self-reported emissions from operators is no longer an acceptable standard for public health management.

Historical Context and Chronological Developments

The industrialization of the Étang de Berre dates back to the early 20th century, but the recent push for "green" reindustrialization began in earnest around 2020-2021 as part of France’s national strategy to reduce carbon dependence. The process has been punctuated by several key milestones:

• 2011–2025: A period marked by the gradual dismantling of the legacy air-quality monitoring network, resulting in a net loss of 24 stations.
• 2021: Publication of the Santé Publique France assessment on the effects of air pollution on neurological disorders, which highlighted the potential for long-term health impacts that are not currently being measured in the Fos region.
• March 2024: A formal request for a meeting and clarification is sent to the Prefect of the region by the coalition of associations.
• May 2024: MEP Nora Mebarek joins the call for greater transparency and environmental oversight in the industrial zone, yet official channels remain largely silent.
• April 2026: The One Health Summit in Lyon reaffirms the national commitment to integrated health and environmental surveillance, a commitment that the local associations argue is being ignored at the regional level.

Broader Implications for Industrial Policy

The situation in Fos-sur-Mer serves as a case study for the wider challenges of the European Green Deal. As nations rush to transition away from fossil fuels and build new, low-carbon industrial infrastructure, they must navigate the complex relationship between industrial growth and public health. If the "virtuous" nature of the new industrial projects is to be more than a marketing slogan, it must be supported by a governance model that prioritizes the "right to know" of local communities.

The refusal to address the limitations of the current monitoring system risks alienating the very population whose support is required for a successful energy transition. The demand for a shared, participatory reflection on environmental monitoring is not merely a request for more data; it is a fundamental challenge to the current power dynamics that govern industrial activity in France.

As the debate continues, the scientific consensus remains clear: atmospheric pollution, particularly in high-density industrial zones, is a significant determinant of health. Without a shift toward more granular, frequent, and independent data collection, the risk of "blind spots" in environmental policy will continue to grow, potentially undermining the long-term viability of the regional industrial strategy.

The signatory associations remain firm: the reindustrialization of the Fos-Berre region cannot be considered a success if it is achieved at the expense of the health and well-being of its citizens. The call for a new, permanent, and collaborative monitoring framework is not just an environmental demand—it is a prerequisite for a socially responsible industrial future.