Environmental health

A study to which ANSES contributed has revealed the adverse effects of the use of plant protection products on bumblebee populations. It found that on sites where the highest quantities of product residues were measured, colonies had fewer offspring and lower weights. The study's findings were published in the journal Nature on 29 November 2023.

Analysing hair can be an effective way of monitoring exposure to chemicals that are rapidly eliminated from the body. This was the finding of a study conducted by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) and the French Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS). This study indicated the compounds for which this analysis was most relevant.

The International Cooperation for Health (IC4Health) consortium has been renewed. It is made up of ANSES, Santé publique France, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

Solar and cosmic radiation, air contamination in aircraft cabins, irregular hours and night work: flight crew members are exposed to a wide range of nuisances and unique working conditions. ANSES reviews the current state of knowledge on the subject and calls for further research, considering in particular situations of multiple exposure involving these workers.

ANSES is organising its 10th science day dedicated to the health of bees and pollinating insects. Beekeepers, researchers, public decision-makers, companies, and journalists are invited to discover the latest scientific breakthroughs relating to bees and exchange views with the speakers. The programme for the day includes: the results of the European PoshBee project, on the detection of pathogens and the effects of chemical and nutritional stress on wild bees, the threat posed by the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) on Reunion Island, the contamination of beeswax by plant protection products and veterinary drug residues. Societal aspects will be highlighted, with an introductory conference looking back at how bees have been perceived throughout history. Socio-economic studies will also be presented, on the regulatory and institutional contexts of bee health protection and the sharing of floral resources between beekeepers.

"Agent tous risques", our online game created in collaboration with Spintank, has been awarded a prize at the Stratégies magazine Grand Prix. It won the BRONZE award in the “External editorial communication medium or device” category.

Around a hundred accidents were caused by products used to disinfect toilets or furniture in nursery schools over the period 2017-2022. These accidents were mainly due to improper use of disinfectants. Although most of the accidents were not serious, one child required a skin graft..

The coral reefs are a part of the ecosystems affected by climate disruption. But what do we know about the impact of chemicals on these reefs? With the support of the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), ANSES has looked into the health risks of these substances. Of the hundred or so substances identified as potentially toxic to corals, the Agency was able to carry out a risk assessment for around fifty of them, based mainly on data available from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion Island and Mayotte. These include UV filters, hydrocarbons, pesticides and metals. The report shows that half of the substances assessed may present risks for coral reefs and contribute to their degradation. The Agency warns that, in the absence of available data, this number is very likely to be underestimated.

Ticks are the leading vector of disease for animals, and rank second for humans. Lyme disease, the best-known tick-borne illness, is caused by a bacterium. Tests have been conducted on an innovative vaccine targeting the tick microbiota, with a view to reducing tick infection by this bacterium. This work was carried out by INRAE in collaboration with ANSES and the Alfort National Veterinary School, and the results were published in the journal Microbiome on 24 July.