Introduction. The Etang de Berre is a highly industrialized area where pollution emissions have raised many questions among residents, who want to know how industrial air pollution affects their health. The objective of the study was to estimate a potential excess of hospitalizations for cardiovascular, respiratory, or cancer-related conditions in the municipalities most affected by industrial air pollution. Methods. Hospitalization indicators were derived from data from the Medical Information Systems Program (PMSI) generated by healthcare facilities in the Bouches-du-Rhône department and neighboring departments. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) was selected as a marker of industrial pollution, and an average exposure level was estimated using modeling for each municipality. The relationship between health indicators and the exposure indicator was examined using a geographic correlation analysis via Poisson regression, taking into account the socioeconomic status of the municipalities. Results. For most of the conditions studied, the risk of hospitalization is the same for areas exposed to SO2 pollution as for those exposed to baseline levels. In contrast, women in municipalities exposed to SO2 have a 38% and 54% higher risk of hospitalization for myocardial infarction (MI), respectively, compared to those in municipalities exposed to reference levels. A 26% excess risk is also observed among men at high exposure levels. For cancers, only the risk of hospitalization for acute leukemia is 2.5 times higher among men in exposed municipalities. Discussion and conclusion. This study highlights that, in terms of hospital morbidity, the health status of the population exposed to industrial air pollution is generally no different for respiratory and cancer-related conditions. It does, however, illustrate the impact of air pollution on the cardiovascular system. (R.A.)