Asbestos could cause between 68,000 and 100,000 cancer deaths in France. The report of the High Council of Public Health proposes to lower the threshold for triggering the work.
Banned in France since 1997, asbestos is still present in many buildings and equipment. As a result, this dangerous natural mineral fiber, massively used for more than a century, could cause between 68,000 and 100,000 cancer deaths in France from 2009 to 2050. This is what the latest report of the High Council of Health reveals. public (HCSP) released a few days ago.
Asbestos: up to 118,400 deaths between 1955-2009
This 109-page document was drafted as part of the overhaul of the regulatory part of the Public Health Code relating to asbestos. As a reminder, the HCSP was asked in 2010 on the definition of a new trigger threshold for work to remove or contain asbestos materials.
First conclusion of the High Council, “in total, over the period 1955-2009, the number of deaths attributable to exposure to asbestos would be between 61,300 and 118,400 (occupational exposure only for lung cancer, any type of exposure for mesothelioma). “
Concerning the estimate of the number of deaths expected between 2009 and 2050 linked to exposure to asbestos, it breaks down as follows. Between 50-75,000 deaths for lung cancers, to which are added 18 to 25,000 due to mesothelioma, not counting other cancers such as those of the larynx or the ovaries for which the responsibility of asbestos has been confirmed by the Circ in 2009.
17% of illnesses with permanent disability
In addition, the HSCP recalls that illnesses due to inhalation of asbestos dust constitute 9% of occupational illnesses with lost time recognized in 2011. For 89% of asbestos illnesses giving rise to lost time, it There is recognition of a permanent disability, against 45% on average for all occupational diseases, so that asbestos-related diseases alone account for 17% of diseases with permanent disability.
As a result, in 2012, since the creation of the compensation fund for victims of asbestos (Fiva), 76,350 victims have submitted a claim for compensation and 90,899 other claims (beneficiaries, additional compensation following an aggravation ), have been recorded. Thus, the cumulative compensation expenditure since 2002 has reached a total amount of 3.523 billion euros. In 2012, compensation expenses amounted to 386.7 million euros (353.4 million in 2011).
Improve identification, lower the threshold for triggering work
Finally, the HCSP recalls that the law sets the terms and conditions for carrying out the various missions to identify materials and products containing asbestos in built buildings. However, these markings, (…), “are not sufficient to avoid the exposure of populations when interventions of any kind are carried out on building components, both by the occupants themselves and by companies. “The fault of disparities in the quality of the locations”, specifies the High Council.
The HCSP recommends “strongly”, and “as soon as possible”, the application of measures relating to the practices of identification and measurement, implementation of works, management of asbestos waste and situations of exposure of environmental origin.
In addition, this expert body pleads for a “lowering of the threshold for triggering works” and for the establishment of a “single threshold” This value of 2 f / L would be applicable on January 1, 2020. It should lead to “An increase in the number of these works”, concludes the HCSP.
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