Radio-induced occupational diseases recognized in France: Assessment and evolution since 1956

The aim of this article is to take stock of radiation-induced occupational diseases (OD) recognized in France over the last 60 years. The evaluation of radio-induced OD encounters administrative (non-intuitive) definitions of the terms used in French statistics, such as: recognized diseases, victims and deaths, the difference between the sum of quarterly statistics and annual statistics. These definitions are such that the 'annual' data are less than the sum of the data for the four quarters. Also, annual statistics, which are only to be detailed, only cover 3/4 of the diseases actually recognized, the last quarter remains unknown. These restrictions also concern recognized cancers. As the CNAMTS is the only source of data on occupational diseases, a quarter of the diseases and cancers are beyond analysis. Since 1993, a complementary system of recognition of occupational diseases has been created. It makes it possible to extend the recognition by 'board' and to examine the cases of diseases that do not meet all the required criteria, but also the cases of diseases that are not included in a board (for example, radiation-induced cancer of the thyroid). For these latter cases, the CNAMTS provides only partial data which reduces the possibilities of analysis and assessment. During the 60 years studied (1956-2015), there were 19.7 recognized radio-induced diseases per year and for the last 22 years 22.2 occupational diseases / year of which 15.3 radio-induced cancers. (authors)