2002 Survey : the perceived industrial risk in France

Carried out in April 2002, this survey gave a detailed analysis of the state of public opinion and the questions people ask themselves about industrial risk and the coexistence of urban areas and industrial activities. 
 

A comprehensive survey

Exceptional in terms of scope and methods, this survey demonstrated that the safety of industrial sites is a very real concern in public opinion, and that the need for information is considerable. 

Methodology 

This survey, carried out from April 2 to 10, 2002, comprised two sections:

• A national section including a nationwide sample of 1000 people, and two samples of 250 people representative of the population of Toulouse and Lyon;
• A local section involving 18 samples of people residing near Arkema's production sites.
    

The main findings

• High expectations in terms of information about the risks incurred, the precautions taken to ensure the health of local communities, and the measures to be taken in the event of an accident;
• Local communities are clearly more concerned about industrial safety than the rest of the population; nonetheless, local communities do not consider that chemical plants should be removed from their environment, as 69% believe that, in order to protect jobs, it is preferable to make the plants safe than relocate them.