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French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety

Sargassum seaweed: limit the exposure of residents and workers to hydrogen sulphide

Published on 09/11/2018

Since August 2014, the French Caribbean and French Guiana have been experiencing successive waves of Sargassum seaweed washing up on their coastlines. Despite the efforts made to clean it up, the seaweed decomposes in situ. This leads to the production of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which can sometimes be detected at high concentrations. Doctors' reports concerning the health effects suffered by people exposed to H2S, and complaints from the general public relating to the problem of odours, have increased sharply. Following a request from the Ministries of Health, the Environment and Labour, in March 2016 ANSES published an initial expert appraisal on the emissions from decomposing Sargassum seaweed. In 2017, this expert appraisal was supplemented by a revision of the toxicological profile of H2S and a summary of the ecology, accumulation, chemistry and decomposition of Sargassum seaweed.

Keywords : Sargassum seaweed

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Anthrax

Published on 30/08/2018

Keywords : Anthrax, Zoonosis

Anthrax is a zoonosis (i.e. a disease common to humans and animals) that primarily affects herbivores. It is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that is unusual in that it persists in soil for decades as spores. ANSES is the National Reference Laboratory for this disease. Here we provide a presentation of the disease and the role played by ANSES.

ANSES recommends that certain populations avoid the consumption of food supplements containing melatonin

Updated on 03/08/2018

Keywords : Food supplements, Nutrivigilance, Melatonine, Adverse effects

Under the national nutrivigilance scheme, reports of adverse effects likely to be associated with the consumption of food supplements containing melatonin have been brought to the attention of ANSES. A retrospective analysis of these reports, combined with the considerable level of consumption of this type of supplement, led ANSES to conduct an assessment of the potential health risks. In its Opinion of February 2018, the Agency highlighted the existence of populations and situations at risk, for which the consumption of melatonin in the form of a food supplement should be avoided or medical advice should be sought. This mainly concerns pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and adolescents, people suffering from inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, people with epilepsy, asthma, or suffering from mood, behaviour or personality disorders, as well as anyone being treated with medication. People carrying out any activity requiring sustained vigilance where drowsiness could pose a safety problem should also avoid its consumption.

Expertise on vectors

Published on 30/05/2018

Keywords : Vectors

Since 1 January 2018, ANSES has been responsible for the former missions of the National Centre for Vector Research (CNEV) in terms of expertise for risk assessment and scientific and technical support in the area of vectors.

Climate change and health

Published on 30/05/2018

Keywords : Climate change

Climate change is a reality on which there is broad consensus in the scientific community. Because of the inertia of the climate system, changes to the climate related to human activities will continue for many years, regardless of any measures taken today. Combating climate change, which is part of a more global environmental change, is therefore essential to limit its magnitude.

Intent to submit a marketing authorisation application for a veterinary medicinal product using the decentralised procedure with France as a Reference Member State (RMS).

Published on 17/05/2018

An applicant intending to submit a marketing authorisation application for a veterinary medicinal product using the decentralised procedure with France acting as RMS has to inform the Anses-ANMV at least 2 months in advance.

The proper use of ectoparasiticides in domestic animals

Updated on 25/04/2018

Keywords : Veterinary medicinal products, Antiparasitics

Ectoparasites (parasites living on the outside of their host) can cause serious diseases in animals as well as diseases transmissible to humans. Veterinary medicinal products are available to control and/or prevent these diseases.

Exposure to silver nanoparticles

Updated on 11/04/2018

Keywords : Nanomaterials, Nanoparticles, Nanotechnologies

Silver nanoparticles are used in various industrial applications, in sectors such as food (additives, food packaging, internal linings of refrigerators), textiles (clothing and bedding) and cosmetic and hygiene products (toothbrushes, hair straighteners, disinfectant sprays, etc.). They are mainly used for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, it is still proving very difficult to obtain an inventory referencing all products containing silver nanoparticles in France and elsewhere in the world. In 2011, ANSES received a formal request to update knowledge on the assessment of health and environmental risks associated with exposure to silver nanoparticles.  

Tobacco and related products

Updated on 09/10/2018

Keywords : Tobacco, Cigarette, Vaping product, Electronic cigarette, E-liquid, Nicotine, Additives, Flavourings, Toxicity reference values (TRVs), Addiction, Volatile organic compounds (VOC)

The Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) lays down rules relating to the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products (other smoking products, vaping products). While it does not establish a marketing authorisation system, the Directive requires manufacturers and importers to declare these products to the competent authorities of the Member States before they can be marketed. Their composition, emissions, toxicological data on the ingredients, in-depth studies for certain additives and market data must be provided. As part of the transposition of this Directive into French law, ANSES has been tasked with collecting and analysing this information. This mission falls within the general framework of the Agency's health protection activities, especially the work carried out in the area of chemicals, consumer products and the risks associated with air quality.

Request for a specifif batch release for the French market

Published on 16/03/2018

The French Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products (ANMV) proposes the new procedure below to manage the requests for specific batch release of veterinary medicinal products intended to the French market.  

What is Xylella fastidiosa?

Updated on 28/02/2018

Keywords : Plant health, Xylella fastidiosa

Xylella fastidiosa is a phytopathogenic bacterium that can affect plants in key agricultural sectors: grapes, citrus, Prunus, olives, alfalfa, oak, maple, horticulture, forestry, etc. There are no curative measures against this bacterium, except for grubbing up and destroying the contaminated plants and controlling the insect vectors. X. fastidiosa was first detected in Europe in 2013 in Italy, and was detected in Corsica in July 2015. More recently, isolated outbreaks have been reported in a greenhouse in Germany and also in Spain (Balearic Islands and the Alicante region). Here is an update on the role of the ANSES Plant Health Laboratory in combating this bacterium.  

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