During a Senate hearing, pulmonologist Michel Aubier swore under oath that he had no links with oil industry players. New revelations show he has worked for Total since 1997.
Michel Aubier has long stated that "the number of cancers in respiratory pathologies linked to pollution is extremely low." For years, across media outlets, he has downplayed pollution's health impacts, especially from diesel exhaust.
Just a month prior, on France 5's "Allo Docteurs," when asked if air pollution is carcinogenic, Aubier replied: "I don't think, and most experts agree, that exposure to ambient pollution in cities like Paris predisposes you to lung cancer unless combined with factors like smoking." You can watch the segment below.
Liberation recently exposed that Aubier has served as a paid medical consultant for Total—nearly 20 years—and sits on the board of the Total Foundation. Total, a major diesel producer, faces scrutiny over its health effects backed by extensive medical research.
This omission under oath raises perjury concerns. Aubier responded: "I should have declared it, it’s true, but it hadn’t even occurred to me. I guarantee there is absolutely no conflict of interest."
Senate inquiry commissioners described his stance as "dishonest," with decisions pending.
Independent studies confirm diesel particles penetrate lungs, contributing to 42,000 premature deaths annually in France. The WHO reports over 7 million global premature deaths from air pollution yearly. Since 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified diesel exhaust as a "certain carcinogen"—on par with asbestos and tobacco—due to fine combustion particles.
France's pro-diesel lobby, intertwined with oil and auto interests, has influenced policy. Citizens must scrutinize media and parliamentary claims to counter such influences and advocate for change.
