The French and local communities facing asbestos

A study which questions them in particular on the question of asbestos and their level of information and knowledge of the risks during work within their accommodation. The results of the study are straightforward. Also to respond to the asbestos challenge, which is still topical, EX'IM announces an innovation in terms of service and advice for local authorities who would be confronted with asbestos. A first in supporting this issue for local elected officials. This service will then be available in a consumer version to meet the expectations of the French.

The results of the EX'IM / IPSOS study: French people face asbestos

Following the tragic events of Notre Dame and the Lubrizol factory, the study wanted to question the French about their fear of being exposed to pollutants in their everyday life.

More than 4 in 10 French people say they are afraid of being exposed to pollutants, and it is particularly young people (50% of 16-24 year olds) and households with children under 18 (51%), where fear is felt most.

Yet on the issue of asbestos, among those who are afraid of being exposed to pollutants, 64% of them declare that they are not afraid of the risk of asbestos in the case of work at their home!

A real contradiction, which clearly reflects the "invisible" nature of this painless and colorless pollutant.

Similarly, almost 3/4 of the French respondents believe that they are not exposed to an asbestos risk, in the event of work at home; this is a glaring lack of information. For many, asbestos is over… However, it is estimated that there are 20 million tonnes of asbestos scattered all over the buildings; a material widely used throughout the post-war period and until the 90s.

“Asbestos fibers, during work, can remain in suspension for weeks in a dwelling, for example after sanding a wall in order to repaint it. Each year, 3 people die from asbestos-related cancers ”, says Yannick Ainouche, CEO of the EX'IM diagnostic network.

French believe that asbestos is the responsibility of local elected officials

At the question "[From the following list], if you think you are exposed to an asbestos risk, who do you contact first? ", it is the mayors who come first (56%), and this is also true for the French who know the role of the diagnosticians (49% would first contact their town hall against 36% a diagnostician).

A result shared by the entire French population, whether in the Paris region or in the provinces (60% and 55% respectively).

The asbestos problem is thus perceived by the French as a public health problem, therefore falling under the responsibility of the State and by extension elected officials close to them: the mayors. The French naturally would turn to their local elected representatives to take advice, and have dedicated and rapid support.

In second position comes the diagnosticians. This indicates that they also have an important role to play since 27% of French people would turn to this trade to support them in the context of an exposure to asbestos.

EX'IM launches the Asbestos Advice Point: a new service for local authorities

To help town halls that would face asbestos, EX'IM is launching an innovation in terms of service and advice.

A first in supporting this issue for local elected officials.

The Asbestos Advice Point is an Internet site and a unique, free number for town halls to answer all their asbestos questions, available from November 12.

“Former municipal councilor, I know the difficulty encountered by local communities in risk management. Asbestos is a proven public health risk. We find it in public buildings as well as in private homes. Who better than the town halls to support our fellow citizens? And who better than asbestos specialists can inform local authorities? It is from this simple observation that the Asbestos Advice Point was created ... ” specifies Yannick Ainouche, CEO of EX'IM.

This service will then be available in a consumer version to meet the expectations of all French people.

* The survey was carried out on the Internet from October 11 to 15, 2019 among 1082 people constituting a national sample representative of the population residing in France and aged between 16 and 75 years old. The representativeness of the sample was ensured thanks to the quota method applied to the variables of sex, age, activity status of the individual and region.