Elevated Cancer Rates Linked to Industrial Site in La Rochelle, France
La Rochelle, France – November 13, 2025 - A new study has revealed a statistically notable cluster of cancers in six districts of La Rochelle, France, linked to historical industrial activity at a site formerly occupied by the Société d’applications Industrielles et de Recherches (SAIR). The findings, published by the Poitou-Charentes Cancer Registry, indicate elevated rates of several cancer types among residents living near the impacted area.
The study, analyzing cancer declarations between 2008 and 2019, identified a concerning pattern prompting immediate notification of health professionals in the affected neighborhoods. While the exact nature of the carcinogenic agent remains under examination, the data points to a clear correlation between proximity to the former SAIR site and increased cancer incidence, raising public health concerns and calls for ongoing monitoring. Approximately 12,000 people live within the identified zones.
The Poitou-Charentes Cancer Registry’s research focused on cancers declared between 2008 and 2019, revealing a higher-than-expected incidence of specific cancer types in the districts of Casse, Saint-Éloi, Beaulieu, Saint-Maurice, La Grillère, and Port Neuf. The former SAIR site, onc involved in the production of chemical products, has been subject to remediation efforts, but the study suggests residual contamination may be contributing to the elevated cancer rates.
“I would now like similar studies to be carried out every two, three or five years,” stated the elected official responsible for environmental health, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance. The full study is available in open access on the poitou-Charentes Cancer Registry website (https://www.registre-cancers-poitou-charentes.fr/obj/Cartographie%20SIR%20CDA%20VF.pdf). Further investigations are planned to pinpoint the specific contaminants and assess the long-term health risks to the local population.
