During industrial accidents, people may be exposed for short periods of time to pollutants that may have long-term effects, in particular carcinogenic or reprotoxic effects. These accidental situations can also occur within companies: a leak in a pipe, an employee washing his hands with a solvent, etc. The aims of this study are (1) to identify, by analysing the scientific literature, whether such long-term effects can actually occur during acute exposure, and (2) to analyse the methodologies used to assess this type of risk. Analysis of the ARIA database shows that accidents involving chemical substances and leading to health effects are relatively frequent. These accidents mainly involve hydrocarbons known to cause chronic effects, but there appears to be no long-term health monitoring of those exposed. An analysis of the scientific literature has shown that there is information on a number of industrial accidents that have contributed to the exposure of populations to substances with chronic effects. The substances in question are dioxins (Seveso), PCBs (Vénizel, Yusho, Taiwan), hydrocarbons (Erika, Prestige), methyl isocyanate (Bohpal), carbamates (Basel), ammonium nitrate (AZF) and methyl mercury (Iraq). For some of these accidents, studies have clearly shown long-term effects. The risk assessment methodologies available are relevant, including for assessing the long-term risks of accidental exposure. However, Toxicological Reference Values (TRVs) should be developed specifically for this type of exposure. The US-EPA's Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGL), the Acute Exposure Threshold Levels (AETL) proposed by the European ACUTEX programme or the French SEL/SEI/SER would be interesting if they were extended to the oral and cutaneous routes. These TRVs take account of acute effects, irreversible effects and reversible effects. More needs to be done to estimate exposure. This effort should focus on developing models that take into account all exposure routes. This effort should also encourage the use of biomarkers in assessing exposure and health risks.
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