Rouen (Illustration) – M.LIBERT / 20 MINUTES
Pesticide pollution has been identified in the Seine, near Rouen, the Rouen metropolis announced on Tuesday, which announced its intention to file a complaint.
The pollution caused a blue coloration over an area of 500 m2. It was spotted on the evening of Saturday, May 22 by the soldiers of the river gendarmerie brigade of Rouen, near the quay of the marina, said the prefecture of Seine-Maritime in a press release.
Leak from a tank in Canteleu
“The leak from a tank belonging to a transport company located on Chemin de Croisset, in Canteleu, is the cause. According to our information, the pesticide product contains neonicotinoids, in particular thiamethoxam, a highly harmful substance, very soluble in water, banned in France for nearly three years! “, Said the metropolis in a press release.
The prefecture confirmed the existence of this pollution coming from an insecticide container containing thiametoxam, but it nevertheless specified that “the production, storage and circulation of this active substance are authorized in France until January 1 2022 ”.
It was the heavy precipitation in the afternoon that carried part of the escaped liquid to the Seine.
“No floating dam could be set up”
“No floating boom could be set up in the port because the density of the leaked product was very close to that of water. With the support of a public works company specializing in sanitation and in close collaboration with the teams of the large seaport of Rouen and the city, two hydrocureurs (tankers with high pressure pump) were installed on site. to achieve pumping, ”added the prefecture in its press release.
Numerous samples in the Seine were carried out by specialized teams from SDIS.
The models carried out by Cedre (Center for documentation of research and experimentation on accidental water pollution) have also revealed “pollution well below the thresholds leading to a lethal risk for aquatic fauna (namely of the order of 0.8 mg / l, the lethal dose for aquatic fauna being established at 100 mg / l, ie more than 100 times less) “, adds the prefecture, specifying that” no impact was noted by the teams during the their observations which will continue in the days to come ”.
The metropolis denounces a “new scandal” and wants to file a complaint
An investigation was undertaken by investigators from the Rouen gendarmerie fluvial brigade. The metropolis for its part announced its intention to “file a complaint against X within the framework of this event”.
Quoted in the press release, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, president (PS) of the metropolis, and Charlotte Goujon, vice-president in charge of industrial and health risks, described this event as a “new scandal”.
“A year and a half after the fire of September 26, 2019 [de Lubrizol], our territory is again soiled ”, denounced the elected officials, who ask the prefect to“ make public all the elements at his disposal making it possible to clarify the circumstances and the consequences of this event ”.