Opinion on the relevance and feasibility of an assessment of asbestos dust exposure and potential health risks for the general public who have visited the Caen University Hospital (Côte de Nacre site)

The Caen University Hospital (CHU) is a public healthcare facility comprising five sites, including the Côte de Nacre Hospital (the "tour-galette" building), which opened in 1975. During the construction of the tower-galette, asbestos was used on every floor of the building for its resistance to heat, fire, electrical and chemical damage, as well as for its insulating properties. In this context, given the building’s characteristics and the definitions established by the French National Authority for Health (HAS), the general public is considered to be exposed to environmental asbestos dust through passive indoor exposure. For the period between 2007 and 2012, given the low levels of asbestos fiber contamination observed in the environments and the presumed low frequency of visits to the premises by the general public, it does not appear relevant to conduct an assessment of potential health risks. In the absence of usable environmental data for the period from 1975 to 2006, it is not possible to characterize the levels of asbestos fiber contamination during this period. Consequently, it is not feasible to estimate the exposure of the general public who frequented the buildings during this period or to estimate any potential health risks. (R.A.)

Author(s): Watrin M, Mathieu A

Publishing year: 2014

Pages: 28 p.

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