Publication of the new interministerial action plan to improve the prevention of asbestos-related risks (PAIA2)

This second plan aims to improve the coordination of public policy regarding the prevention of asbestos-related risks and will be implemented over five years (2026-2030). It was developed by four lead ministries (labor, environment, health, and housing) and also involves other ministries such as those responsible for agriculture, national education, and overseas territories. The plan is structured around six areas of action, the objectives of which are to strengthen public and professional awareness of the health risks associated with asbestos and the regulations, to improve the professional development of various stakeholders, to develop knowledge and monitoring tools, to update regulations and support their implementation, and to support research and development.

Widely used before its ban on January 1, 1997, asbestos remains present in many buildings, facilities, and equipment. It also occurs naturally in parts of France, such as Haute-Corse and certain mountain ranges, in the ground, soil, and bedrock. It continues to be a major public health and occupational health issue, causing more than 1.000 cases of pleural mesothelioma and 1.800 to 4.000 cases of lung cancer each year, making it the leading cause of occupational cancers. Since the effects of asbestos can appear 30 to 40 years after initial exposure, it remains crucial to continue efforts to prevent exposure for the general population and workers.

In 2016, the ministries responsible for health, labor, ecology, and housing committed to strengthening the coordination of their actions in this area through an initial interministerial action plan aimed at improving the prevention of asbestos-related risks (PAIA). This plan notably enabled the professionalization of stakeholders in the sector, the revitalization of the asbestos removal industry by funding the development of innovative technical solutions for the detection and management of asbestos-related work sites, through the Asbestos Research and Development Plan (PRDA), and ensuring the overall coherence of public action in this area.

Through the PAIA2 (2026-2030), the Government is continuing and expanding upon the implementation of some of the actions begun in the first plan. This is the case, for example, with informing the public about the risks associated with asbestos, supporting local public services and businesses in applying regulations, and training workers and professionals in the asbestos sector, which remain pressing issues. Furthermore, this new plan incorporates a number of new actions, particularly concerning asbestos naturally present in certain rocks and soils, and the implementation of the updated health recommendations of the High Council for Public Health. Finally, this plan must undertake ambitious and operational actions, especially by addressing the issue of asbestos in schools and strengthening the asbestos risk prevention sector in the French Overseas Territories.

This new PAIA is divided into 6 priority action areas:

• Axis 1. Strengthen information for the public and workers
• Axis 2. Improve and accelerate professionalization
• Axis 3. Improve knowledge and develop tools for data collection and monitoring
• Axis 4. Develop regulations and implement actions to reduce exposure
• Axis 5. Facilitate and support the implementation of asbestos-related regulations
• Axis 6. Supporting research and development efforts on asbestos

This PAIA2 is evolving and therefore incorporates actions whose content may be modified and supplemented according to the progress of work or new scientific and technical knowledge, in order to constantly achieve its objective of improving the coordination of State action in the prevention of risks related to asbestos.