Predictors of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after the AZF chemical factory explosion on 21 September 2001, in Toulouse, France

Abstract

Individual vulnerability, exposure and post-trauma factors were associated with S-PTSD. Vulnerable subgroups, defined by low socioeconomic characteristics may warrant focused screening after such disasters.

Relationships between impact on employment, working conditions, socio-occupational categories and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after the industrial disaster in Toulouse, France

“…The immediate area in our study corresponds overall to a socioeconomic environment that enjoys less advantages than the rest of the city [39]. Occupation of industrial space and adjoining areas by housing that supplies low-qualified workers to surrounding businesses has led to a concentration of underprivileged areas around the chemical complex.…”

“…In the case of Toulouse, the populations of the immediate area were not only exposed to industrial risk but also in addition they live in an area where economic and collective resources are scarcer than elsewhere. In a study of the same disaster, Rivière et al [39] showed that low socioeconomic status was associated with S-PTSD in the general population in this area. The association between underprivileged areas and chemical industries has already been described: the more underprivileged the areas, the more they tend to concentrate dangerous chemical facilities around their perimeters [17].…”

“…The immediate area corresponded to the districts heavily affected by the blast (about 3 km around the site of the explosion) [39]. Here, all identified businesses were included, with an estimated number of 20,000 workers.…”

“…In view of the extent of the industrial disaster and its impact, an epidemiological follow-up program was set up [29]. The data returned by health surveillance systems and surveys suggested hearing problems and an impact on the mental health of the population of Toulouse in the days and weeks following the explosion [29,39,40]. Because of the consequences for the working population, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in this population to determine prevalence and predictors of PTSD 12 months after the explosion.…”

Endüstriyel Bir Patlama Sonrasında Akut Stres Bozukluğu ve Travma Sonrası Stres Bozukluğu Gelişiminde Olası Risk Faktörleri

“…The distance of the individual from the place of event and levels of exposure are very significant risk factors in occurence of PTSD especially in industrial explosions (5). Presence of psychiatric disorders before the disaster has been reported to be another risk factor.…”