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What are the health and environmental challenges presented by herbicide-tolerant varieties?

Published on 18/06/2021

Herbicide-tolerant varieties (HTVs) are crop varieties that have been developed to be intentionally tolerant to a specific herbicide. In France, HTVs of sunflower and rapeseed have been growing in popularity since the early 2010s. In a changing regulatory context and in order to address public concerns, the Agency has conducted several studies to assess the farming practices reshaped by the use of HTVs and identify their potential risks for farmers, consumers and the environment. We provide an overview of the challenges that need to be overcome to improve the traceability and monitoring of HTVs in France.

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One Health

Published on 16/11/2020

Keywords : One health

The "One Health" concept was first put forward in the early 2000s, with growing awareness of the close links between human health, animal health and the overall state of the environment. It aims to promote a multidisciplinary, global approach to health issues. ANSES's work is fully in line with the One Health concept, and the Agency is coordinating several projects based on it.

Vaping products

Published on 10/11/2020

Keywords : Electronic cigarette, Vaping product, E-liquid, Addiction, Nicotine

Since their introduction in France in 2007, the use of vaping products has spread very quickly, and the national market continues to expand. What are these new products, how are they regulated and what risks can they pose to our health? Update on ANSES’s work

Tobacco and related products

Published on 10/11/2020

Keywords : Tobacco, Cigarette, Vaping product, Electronic cigarette, E-liquid, Nicotine, Addiction

Under the regulations on tobacco and related products, ANSES is responsible for collecting and analysing the information reported by manufacturers on the products sold in France. As part of this work, the Agency is providing expert scientific support to the Directorate General for Health (DGS). It provides knowledge on the products placed on the French market, along with scientific intelligence on product composition. The Agency also conducts expert appraisals to assess the health risks associated with these products, which ties in with its other work on chemicals in consumer products and the health risks related to air quality. Overview of ANSES's responsibilities

Swine flu: a challenge for livestock and human health

Published on 28/10/2020

Keywords : Swine influenza, H1N1 (Swine), Zoonosis, Animal diseases

Swine flu is a viral respiratory disease frequently occurring on French pig farms. It is usually benign but can be exacerbated or recur within a farm, generating major health problems and economic losses. These viruses have zoonotic potential (they can be transmitted to humans). The Agency’s activities dealing with these viruses are broken down into several levels of action and expertise – reference work, epidemiological surveillance, and research – providing input for expert appraisals.

ANSES's recommendations to ensure the effectiveness of hand sanitisers

Published on 28/10/2020

Keywords : Alcohol-based gel

Alcohol-based gels and solutions used as hand sanitisers are disinfectants designed to remove bacteria or viruses from healthy skin. They are biocidal products, and as such are subject to the European Regulation on these products. ANSES is responsible for assessing and issuing marketing authorisations for these types of products. Following their massive use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Agency issued an opinion on the effectiveness criteria for hand sanitisers. What properties make them effective against viruses or bacteria? Can they replace hand washing? How should they be stored?

Microplastics: risks to the environment and health

Published on 28/10/2020

Keywords : Microplastics, Food contaminants

Microplastics range in size from 5 millimetres down to a few hundred nanometres, making them 70 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair. Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment: they are found in air, in homes, in rivers, on land and in oceans. All living species, from the smallest (e.g. zooplankton) to the largest (e.g. whales), can ingest them.

Biocidal products

Updated on 08/03/2021

Keywords : Biocides

Biocidal products are substances or preparations intended to destroy, deter or render harmless pest organisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, rodents, insects, etc. These products can have a chemical or biological action (e.g. use of beneficial micro-organisms) and are intended for domestic, professional or industrial use.

Neonicotinoids

Updated on 11/06/2021

Keywords : Bees, Neonicotinoids, Plant protection products Plant protection products, Biocides

Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticidal substances. The use of neonicotinoid products in agriculture has raised concerns in many countries, primarily because of their effects on pollinating insects. New scientific evidence has led the European Union to progressively restrict the uses of these substances. There are currently two active substances in the neonicotinoid class approved for plant protection purposes at European level. In France, the use of neonicotinoid products has been prohibited in agriculture since 2018. ANSES has conducted extensive work to assess the effects of these substances on bees and has been particularly active in strengthening the requirements for marketing authorisations.

The tiger mosquito

Published on 05/10/2020

Keywords : Tiger mosquito, Vecteurs, Mosquitos, Vector control (VC)

Native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has adapted to many different environments, particularly urban ones, colonising a vast array of containers (vases, pots, rainwater collection tanks, gutters, etc.) in which it lays its eggs. It is an opportunistic anthropophilic species which likes to feed on humans. The species is now established in more than 100 countries on all seven continents. This meteoric expansion, mainly linked to international trade (especially in tyres), has made it one of the world's most invasive species due to its ability to adapt to regions with cold winters. In metropolitan France, the tiger mosquito is currently found in around 60 French départements (in French). Tiger mosquitos can transmit viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika to humans. They are therefore subject to reinforced surveillance by the French authorities, in particular through the Signalement-moustique (“mosquito alert”) website (in French).  

Poisonings due to wild mushroom consumption: stay alert !

Published on 02/10/2020

Keywords : Mushrooms

Every year, around a thousand cases of poisoning caused by mushrooms occur in France. The health consequences can be serious or even fatal. Here are a few recommendations to ensure safe picking.

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