How to deal with asbestos in France

In France, nearly 15 million homes still contain asbestos (amiante), a carcinogenic material banned in France since 1997, in the UK since 1999 and in the US as recently as 2024.

Asbestos was used in millions of homes and industries throughout the 1900s. As the material ages, it degrades, becoming more likely to release its harmful fibres.

What is asbestos?

Naturally occurring in rocks, asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is part of the silicate family. 

Cheap to extract and process, these silicates are resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion, and consequently they were used in thousands of commercial products, particularly insulation and fireproofing, but also roofing shingles and even ceiling and floor tiles. 

Problems occur when asbestos fibres come loose: breathing them in causes scarring in the lungs, sometimes creating fatal health conditions including mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Concerns were raised even in the late 1800s. The British Medical Journal published the first article on the hazards of asbestos in 1924, but it was so cheap and versatile that the construction industry kept using it. 

How do I know if my home has asbestos?

When selling or renting out any French property whose building permit was issued before 1997, you must employ a certified professional to conduct an asbestos survey (diagnostic d’amiante). Their report confirms if asbestos is present and whether or not it requires action. 

Even when asbestos has been used in your home, you only have to dispose of it when it becomes ‘volatile’, meaning it is in a condition where the fibres are loose and therefore hazardous. 

If your garage has an asbestos roof but it is intact, there is no issue. However, if it is damaged by storms you will need a certified company (entreprise certifiée) to remove it. 

The Service-Public website has a search engine to find such firms in your area.

Why is a specialist required?

The moment any asbestos material is damaged, it releases fibres that are 500 times finer than a human hair. If breathed in, these fibres can cause permanent and even fatal damage. 

Certified specialists have full training, work in protective equipment to minimise the risk, and they are authorised to take the asbestos to an installation de stockage de déchets dangereux (ISDD) site that specialises in disposing of hazardous waste.

While in theory it is possible to do part of the process yourself, every official guideline strongly recommends that you use a professional because of the health risks. 

A few councils offer facilities that include asbestos waste, but the main risk comes from dismantling and transporting the material, as the fibres get into your clothing, hair and vehicle. 

What will it cost?

Professional disposal can cost from €20 to €100 per square metre so it is best to ask for quotes.

Note that the French housing agency Anah can offer financial help in certain cases for individuals who need to get rid of asbestos in their property.