CERN confirms the early detection of river pollution shortly after 2pm on 20 December 2016 in Saint-Genis-Pouilly.

The emergency services noticed the presence of foam in the Lion river, which led the Fire Brigade to immediately intervene to contain it. The foam is thought to be from a cleaning product. Measurements (pH, conductivity etc) have shown no impact on the environment so far.

All leaks appear to have been stopped by the end of the same day. Containment measures will remain in place until the end of the week. CERN’s environment services are currently monitoring the situation and investigating.

CERN takes such an incident very seriously. The monitoring systems have been reinforced in the past months; including the installation of new, very sensitive, sensors. It is thanks to one of these sensors that CERN could take action so promptly, limiting the impact of this potential pollutant.    

CERN deeply regrets this incident and sincerely apologises to its neighbours.