2013-01-17 08:26:00
Asbestos exists naturally in France around rocky outcrops including those of Upper Corsica and New Caledonia. These outcrops, through erosion phenomena or during specific works (construction, roads, developments, etc.), can lead to exposure to asbestos fibers, associated with health risks. In December 2007, the Agency was asked by its supervisory ministries to:
- a critical analysis of the literature : studies carried out in France and internationally in terms of epidemiology, metrology and assessment of exposure in the presence of asbestos-bearing lands;
- a study of practices in other countries faced with this problem with a view to helping local decision-makers and risk managers define concrete prevention measures adapted to specific exposures linked to asbestos-bearing lands.
For this theme “excluding risk assessment”, ANSES conducted the assessment internally.
Results
The report published by ANSES provides a summary of knowledge in terms of metrology, assessment of population exposure and health effects. It also provides a review of management practices for asbestos outcrops in France or other regions of the world.
The body of evidence, from the scientific publications studied, shows that a risk exists for local populations and workers when mobilizing or using asbestos-bearing rocks.
The inventory of management practices reveals that certain measures are common but applied in contrasting ways from one country to another (taken into account in urban plans, controls of outdoor work, management of excavations, etc.). The report highlights that local management initiatives, particularly in France, are effective and might be generalized to other regions presenting identical risk situations.
On this basis, ANSES recommends improving and supplementing current management practices along different lines, aiming in particular to strengthen the protection of populations exposed to work on asbestos-containing land. These recommendations should allow decision-makers and risk managers to refine or define measures adapted to both the different specificities of French territories and the exposure situations encountered on asbestos-bearing soils.
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