Article 8 of the European Seveso-l Directive on 1982 imposed that the measures of self-protection to be adopted in the event of an industrial disaster were to be supplied to all persons who might have been concerned by a major accident. The second version of the Seveso Directive calling for a larger public participation has been applicable in France since February 3, 1999. At the dawn of this new text coming into effect, it is necessary to draw up the balance sheet of the actions undertaken in the field. In France, the public authorities and industrialists were actively engaged in this public policy of increasing public awareness of the industrial risks and safety measures to be applied in case of an accident. The first information campaign was launched in the spring of 1989, To evaluate the impact of this campaign, we will compare the results of three sociological surveys in the area: the first was carried out during the months of January and February 1988 before the public awareness campaign. The second survey was completed in December 1989 after the information campaign. The third and final survey was just after a major accident at the Total plant at La Mede. Insights from public reactions show needs for an appropriate sociological background so that information to the public might correspond to citizens' expectations,