asbestos remains the leading cause of occupational diseases in France, despite its ban more than 25 years ago

Laryngeal and ovarian cancers caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust are now recognized as occupational diseases. The decree was published on Sunday October 15 in the official journal.

>> Asbestos: the trial expected by nearly 2,000 victims will not take place immediately

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral of natural origin and these rocks, once crushed, have long been used as construction materials. The problem is that asbestos fibers are 400 to 500 times thinner than a human hair. They can float in the air and if inhaled, deposit in the body, and cause diseases, cancerous or not. Several respiratory pathologies affecting the pleura or the lung were already recognized as occupational diseases. In 2022, an ANSES report also confirmed, on the basis of studies published over the past 10 years, in particular by the International Cancer Research Center (IARC), a causal link between laryngeal or ovarian cancer and exposure to asbestos. Between 150 and 170 cases occur each year in France according to these studies. This official recognition as occupational diseases will allow patients to be better compensated.

Deaths from asbestos until 2050

Asbestos therefore continues to claim victims even though it has been banned since 1997 in France and 2005 throughout the European Union, but health authorities expect that there will still be sick people and deaths. due to asbestos until 2050. Firstly because pathologies can appear 30 to 40 years after the first exposure, and secondly because even if this material is no longer used, it remains present in millions of buildings and infrastructure, as it has been authorized for over 100 years.

>> Survey: asbestos is still present in many schools

Patients who are victims of asbestos in the context of their profession are mainly employees or former employees in construction, or in the maintenance and rehabilitation of buildings, as well as professionals who have worked for a long time in old buildings and dilapidated. This ranges from the administration sector to the textile industry. Asbestos thus remains the leading cause of occupational cancers in Europe. A total of 78% of occupational cancers recognized in the Member States of the European Union are linked to asbestos, and these fibers are responsible for the deaths of 70,000 people per year in Europe.