ArcelorMittal has denied allegations that its Fos-sur-Mer facility falsified data and its pollution is endangering the local population.
Marseille public prosecutor Nicolas Bessone announced last week the steelmaker is being investigated for allegedly endangering others, and falsifying and utilising falsified documents on industrial pollution. This stems from a legal complaint lodged by multiple residents of Fos-sur-Mer, who assert that toxic waste emitted by the steel producer has contributed to an increase in cancer cases within the region.
“ArcelorMittal Méditerranée has always communicated transparently with the authorities and has done everything possible to ensure that emissions from the Fos-sur-Mer site comply with the prescribed annual limit values. There has been no falsification of data,” the company says in a note sent to Kallanish.
Since 2014, the steelmaker has invested more than €735 million ($795m) in revamping and modernisation works to curb its emission levels. Approximately one-third of the funds invested were focused on environmental improvements and less than 10% represented public investment. This has reduced atmospheric emissions from the Fos-sur-Mer site by 70% compared with 2002.
“ArcelorMittal Méditerranée will not comment on the decisions by the investigating judge in charge of this procedure, as it is an ongoing procedure, and reminds all stakeholders that ArcelorMittal Méditerranée and its management benefit from the presumption of innocence and respect for the confidentiality of the investigation,” the note continues.
Natalia Capra France
