The Lubizol plant in Rouen was classed as a Seveso site because of the nature of the chemicals - mainly additives for oils and lubricants - that it produces. There are 1,171 Seveso sites in France, and they are factories or manufacturing plants that have been identified as risky by authorities because of their "association with certain hazardous industrial activities". There are two types of Seveso site: "seuil haut" (high threshold) or "seuil bas" (low threshold) depending on the size of the risk. You can also find out if it is "high" or "low" risk. If there are plans to set up a new Seveso site near where you are already living, any resident has the right to bring an action before the courts if they feel their rights are being infringed.

Source: The Local October 01, 2019 11:15 UTC