Context Pleural mesothelioma surveillance, a marker of asbestos exposure, improves early detection and helps improving compensation of the disease. Few epidemiological data exist at a sub-district level in France.

Objectives This study presents an analysis of mortality in Île-de-France region from pleural mesothelioma from 1975 to 2012, by sex, district and ”cantons-villes” residence.

Material and methods Pleural mesothelioma deaths from 1975 to 2012 were provided by the CepiDc and the corresponding population numbers by INSEE. Mortality rates stratified by age were reported for the region and its districts. Standardised mortality ratios were calculated using the Île-de-France population as a reference at ”canton-villes” level. A ranking algorithm to order the mortality by ”canton-ville” over the period was developed and applied.

Results The epidemic peaked in the mid-90s. Among men the lowest standardised rate was observed for Paris (3.4 per 100,000) and the highest in Seine-et-Marne and Seine-Saint-Denis (5.1 per 100,000). Among women the lowest mortality was observed in Paris and in the Val d’Oise (1.3 per 100,000) and the higher in the Seine-Saint-Denis (1.8 per 100,000). The temporo-spatial representation shows high mortality areas consisting of neighbouring ”cantons-villes” in Seine-et-Marne (Perthes) and Seine-Saint-Denis (Aulnay-sous-Bois), in contrast with areas of low mortality localised mainly in Paris and the Val-d’Oise. The epidemic timeline differed among ”canton-ville”.

Conclusion Epidemic of pleural mesothelioma can be characterised at a fine scale over a long period. This territorial knowledge can be an aid to targeted education of health professionals and the populations concerned.