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cadmium

What is cadmium, and how can we reduce our exposure to it?

Updated on 20/12/2023

Cadmium is a toxic metal that is ubiquitous in the environment and can contaminate soil, water, and air. We are exposed to it via food and drinking water. For several years now, ANSES has been issuing recommendations to limit our exposure to this substance.

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Eoliennes Health effects of noise from wind turbines

Updated on 17/05/2022

ANSES has undertaken several scientific expert appraisals on the potential health impacts of noise from wind turbines. In 2006, the Agency received a first formal request from the Ministries of Health and the Environment to conduct a critical analysis of the report published by the French National Academy of Medicine recommending that the most powerful wind turbines (of greater power than 2.5 Megawatts) be placed no nearer than 1,500 metres from residential areas due to the noise pollution generated by these structures. In the conclusions of its first expert appraisal report published in 2008, ANSES stressed the need to study appropriate distances for wind turbines on a case-by-case basis, particularly with modelling methods taking local configurations into account.Following various complaints from residents living near wind turbines, the Ministries of Health and the Environment submitted another request to the Agency in 2013 in order to assess the potential health effects of infrasounds and low-frequency sounds emitted by wind farms. To date, while assumptions on the mechanisms of health effects still remain to be explored, a review of the available experimental and epidemiological data does not give adequate scientific arguments indicative of health effects for local residents specifically related to their exposure to inaudible sound emissions from wind turbines (infrasounds in particular). The current state of knowledge therefore provides no justification for extending the scope of health impact studies on noise from wind farms to issues other than those related to audible noise, for which the effects are confirmed, complex and documented.

Bruit Health effects of noise

Updated on 17/05/2022

Noise is one of the most common forms of environmental pollution reported by the population, but aside from deafness, the other health effects that it causes are not well known or properly taken into account. In 2003, given public interest in this area and further to a formal request from the public authorities, ANSES published a report on the health effects of noise.

Bruit The impact of noise on health

Updated on 16/06/2022

Opinion surveys show that the French population attaches special and increasing importance to the right to a noise-free environment. However, the population still does not consider the effects of noise on health to be a major concern. Noise is seen more as a disturbance, a nuisance, or even as environmental pollution, rather than a real risk for health. It does not create the same concerns as other environmental risks and nuisance because it has no effect on the fundamental components of our living space like air and water, and most importantly, it is rare for noise to have immediate perceptible harmful effects on health. This article describes ANSES activities in this area.

ANSES and environmental health

Updated on 16/06/2022

ANSES's role with regard to environmental health and safety mainly involves conducting scientific expert assessments of the risks linked to chemicals, micro-organisms and physical agents found in the water, air, soil, food and items or objects for everyday use. Thanks to its wide scope of expertise, ANSES has a comprehensive view of the various forms of exposure to which people are subjected due to their lifestyles and consumption habits, which allows it to take into account specific situations causing over-exposure (pollution peaks, for example) as well as sensitivities in specific population groups or at specific periods of life (pregnancy, foetal development, infants, the elderly, etc.).  A presentation of our missions.

Substitution of carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxins (CMRs), the role of ANSES

Updated on 20/06/2022

Chemical substances, singly or combined in mixtures, may have various harmful effects on human health. Some of them may be carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic. In this case they are categorised as “CMRs”. In view of the hazards they present, these classified substances and mixtures are subject to restrictive regulations, particularly in the workplace.  Preventing the risks associated with CMRs in the workplace is primarily based on replacing the hazardous product with another that is not hazardous or is less harmful (substitution).Discover the role the Agency plays in this process.

Substances Chimiques Carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances (CMRs)

Updated on 30/05/2022

Chemical substances, singly or combined in mixtures, may have various harmful effects on human health. Some of them may be carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic. In this case they are categorised as “CMRs”. In view of the hazards they present, these classified substances and mixtures are subject to restrictive regulations, particularly in the workplace. Discover what these substances are and how they are regulated.

Perturbateurs ANSES's work and involvement in the area of endocrine disruptors

Updated on 28/04/2022

Endocrine disruptors are substances that can interfere with our hormonal system and lead to adverse effects. Faced with multiple sources of exposure, scientists need to understand the role played by these substances in the development of certain diseases. Assessing their health effects is therefore a scientific challenge and an important public health issue. ANSES is one of the major players in this area. In particular, it carries out important assessment work to identify endocrine-disrupting substances and is leading a research programme –  the PNR-EST – part of which is dedicated to endocrine disruptors.  

Ethers Glycol ethers

Updated on 18/05/2022

Glycol ethers belong to a very common group of chemical substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In October 2003, the Agency received a formal request from the Directorate General for Health and the Directorate for economic studies and environmental evaluation to implement certain provisions in the inter-ministerial action plan regarding glycol ethers, over a period of several years. The activities of the Agency within the framework of this action plan are presented below.

Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals: REACh

Updated on 04/05/2022

On 1 June 2007, the REACh Regulation entered into force. It aims to improve our understanding of the effects of chemicals on human health and the environment, in order to effectively manage the risks associated with the use of these products.

Laboratoires ANSES laboratories

Updated on 12/04/2022

ANSES has a network of nine reference and research laboratories located throughout France, close to industry. These laboratories operate in three main areas: animal health and welfare, food safety (chemical and microbiological) and plant health. They are internationally recognised in their respective fields of expertise: epidemiology, microbiology and antimicrobial resistance, toxins and physico-chemical contaminants. Thanks to their work in providing expertise, epidemiological monitoring, alerts and scientific and technical assistance, they play a vital role in understanding various threats and in collecting data from the network of accredited laboratories.

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