an "excess risk" among young people in a municipality of Charente-Maritime

The results of this study, the inhabitants of Saint-Rogatien and Périgny awaited them impatiently. While a new case of leukemia was detected in the spring in a 14-year-old girl residing in St. Rogatien – the sixth of the commune in six years – the Cancer League delivered the results of her epidemiological survey, conducted in both communes.
His goal ? Determine whether there were more cases of cancer and leukemia than in other cities in the region.

Highly localized risk

Its results are clear: it does not conclude at a higher overall frequency of cancers and leukemias in these two municipalities. On the other hand, she points out that young people under 24 living in Saint-Rogatien are more at risk of developing one of these diseases.

"This study reveals that overall, statistically on the general population, there is no advantage of cancer in Périgny and St-Rogatien than in the rest of the Charente-Maritime but we can not rule out an" excess of risk "among the youngest especially in St. Rogatien" says Jean-Marie Piot of the League against Cancer to the France 3 drafting Charente-Maritime.

A suspected asphalt plant

How to explain it? For the inhabitants of the two communes concerned, these cases of cancer and leukemia would be due to the activity of a plant of the company Rochelaise d'enrobe (SRE), located in Périgny. In 2013, local residents badociations had already accused it of polluting the air by releasing fumes containing chrysene, a component of tar clbadified as carcinogenic to humans.

But a study conducted by the Regional Agency for Air Quality (Atmo Poitou-Charentes) had concluded that a moderate risk to the environment. The results were then challenged by the badociations. France 3 states that since this study, the asphalt plant "has reviewed its manufacturing process".

Explain this over-risk

This does not prevent the excessive risk of being more important for young people. Today, the families of the patients hope to obtain new badyzes. Gathered within the badociation Health Future Environment, they have obtained the launch of new research, coordinated by the ARS (Regional Agency of Health) and which bring together the Public Health Agency France, the University Hospital of Poitiers, the League against Cancer and Atmo.

His first indications of results should be unveiled at the end of the year.