Pollution
Humain
Environnement
Economique

In a paint manufacturing plant under compulsory liquidation since 5 month, two 1,000-litre containers holding paint products (primarily acrylic resins, urethane in ethyl acetate) spilled onto the ground and polluted the AIRAINES via the stormwater network. A fish farm located downstream sustained an operating loss of 85 tonnes of trout (80-day ban on sale of this farm’s output). Emergency services installed 7 dams. The classified facilities inspectorate and an elected official visited the site. It was ruled that a malicious act had given rise to this pollution.

During a site visit on 29th September, 2009, the inspectorate had already noted the presence of many inflammable, even explosive, paint cans, jugs and containers, in addition to unknown products spread on the floor and several perforated tanks. The floors and roofs were punctured, some doors off their hinges; hence, the site was no longer secure. Inspectors requested the assigned liquidator to list all products remaining on the site and enhance installation safety measures. The liquidator lacked the financial resources (unfunded liquidation) to conduct the corresponding works, the inspectorate proposed to the Prefect that the Ministry intervene in an emergency measure. Site clean-up, overseen by the ADEME Agency, was completed in 2010, with nearly 800 tonnes of wastes being eliminated.