Abnormal levels of heavy metals detected in 17 Safran employees in Bas-Rhin
Overexposure to heavy metals was detected after a malfunction of the ventilation system on the Alsatian site.
Quick Look
- Seventeen employees of Safran Landing Systems in Molsheim have abnormal levels of heavy metals after overexposure to chromium linked to a malfunction of the ventilation system.
- The production line was stopped on October 7 and technical investigations are underway.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
An abnormal level of chromium was detected in the air in mid-September at the Safran Landing Systems site in Molsheim, accompanied by a malfunction in the ventilation system. A similar incident had already occurred on this site in 2014.
Seventeen employees of Safran Landing Systems, in Molsheim (Bas-Rhin), present abnormal levels of heavy metals in their body, reported Thursday, November 12, ICI Alsace, after analyzes carried out by the aeronautics group. These “biometrological tests” were carried out on employees working in an area of the site where an abnormal level of chromium was detected in the air in mid-September and where a malfunction in the ventilation system was noted.
These employees were thus victims of overexposure to chromium. According to a union source contacted by ICI Alsace, a concentration of 0.004 grams per cubic meter was noted in the air, while the floor threshold is 0.001 grams per cubic meter.
Management decided, on October 7, to stop the production line concerned, explains this same union source to ICI Alsace. “Among the employees, there are people under 30 years old. They wonder if this exposure will impact their fertility, their future children or even cause them illnesses in several years,” underlines this source.
“In-depth technical investigations”
According to ICI Alsace, the employer recognized the prolonged exposure to heavy metals, which should facilitate, in the event of possible future illnesses, the recognition of occupational illnesses for the employees concerned. Safran management explains to ICI Alsace that "the resumption of activity on the line concerned will only take place when all guarantees have been provided on the safety of working conditions". She adds that “in-depth technical investigations are continuing in order to precisely determine the origin of the malfunction and define the necessary corrective actions”.
The union source within the Safran company indicates that a similar incident already occurred on the Molsheim site in 2014. It therefore calls for "the installation of flow meters in order to permanently measure the air and, if the thresholds are exceeded, an alarm will be triggered and production will stop immediately". It also asks that the employees concerned be declared "in accidents at work and removed from this production line as long as they have too high a level of chromium in their body".
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The recognition of occupational illnesses will be made easier for the employees concerned in the event of future illnesses.
Likely · Within months
The resumption of activity on the line concerned will only take place when all guarantees regarding the safety of working conditions have been provided.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What is the precise origin of the malfunction of the ventilation system?
- What corrective actions will be put in place?
- When will production resume on the affected line?
- What are the long-term health impacts for exposed employees?
