ANSES appraisal on health risks of workers exposed to cleavage fragments from non asbestiform amphiboles: an opportunity to improve the regulation?

In 2014, French ministries were alerted by local authorities following the identification of naturally occurring actinolite in aggregates used in road paving. In the environment, actinolite, as well as others amphiboles, are present in both asbestiform and non-asbestiform habit. Currently, French regulation only includes the asbestiform habit of 5 amphiboles (actinolite-asbestos, tremolite-asbestos, anthophyllite-asbestos, amosite and crocidolite) and chrysotile. Cleavage fragments of non-asbestiform analogs of these amphiboles are not encompassed in regulation. The routine analytical methods for asbestos (TEM in France) do not allow the differentiation of asbestiform fibers and fibrous cleavage fragments. Moreover, toxicity of cleavage fragments remains debated. In this context, ANSES was requested to provide an opinion on: 1/ possible health effects of cleavage fragments, 2/ occupational exposures to cleavage fragments and 3/ analytical differentiation of asbestos and cleavage fragments.