Environnement

Page thématique

Environmental health

On a day-to-day basis and throughout our lives, the environment is a major determinant of our health.  Whether it concerns chemical substances, airborne particles or electromagnetic waves, ANSES's expertise constantly provides the latest scientific knowledge on the risk factors for environmental exposure. The Agency assesses the risks of environmental pollution and various new technologies, and also evaluates the chemicals found in everyday products.

News

Addressing the current challenges posed by mosquito vectors
Moustique Tigre
25/04/2024

On 25 April 2024

Addressing the current challenges posed by mosquito vectors

Public :
Espace Van Gogh - 62 quai de la Rapée - 75012 Paris
With outbreaks of dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika in the French overseas territories and a growing number of cases reported in metropolitan France, mosquito vectors of pathogens have become a major public health challenge for all of France.
The first summary of French data on Ixodes ricinus ticks
tique Ioxides
22/02/2024
News

The first summary of French data on Ixodes ricinus ticks

ANSES financed and participated in a study reviewing the state of knowledge on the biology and ecology of Ixodes ricinus ticks and the pathogens they are capable of transmitting. By analysing data spanning a period of more than 60 years, this work provided an overview of current knowledge and highlighted the need to conduct further investigations and harmonise the surveillance methods used, to improve the control and prevention of this pathogen vector.
ANSES at the 2024 Paris Agricultural Show!
Salon de l'agriculture 2024
08/02/2024
News

ANSES at the 2024 Paris Agricultural Show!

The combined effects of climate disruption and human activities have created disturbances in the Earth’s ecosystems that are impacting the health of living organisms. Allergenic plants, mosquitoes and ticks have been spreading across France, affecting human and animal health. In forests, gardens and crops, plant pests and other harmful organisms are acclimatising rapidly. This year on the ANSES stand, we invite you to come take a closer look at these invasive species, so you can recognise them and protect yourself. Our programme for this year includes observation of living organisms, games and discussions with our scientists. And in a nod to this year's Olympic Games, ANSES will also provide an opportunity to learn while moving your body.
Assessing the risk of exposure to stinging caterpillars to protect ourselves
Des chenilles processionnaires du chêne
09/01/2024

Assessing the risk of exposure to stinging caterpillars to protect ourselves

The geographical range of pine and oak processionary caterpillars in France has been changing in recent years as a result of climate change. Their presence, along with that of other stinging caterpillars, poses a risk to human and animal health. ANSES has assessed the risk of population exposure by municipality in mainland France and Corsica, in order to adapt the prevention and control measures to be applied in the field.
New ANSES expert appraisals on SDHIs in plant protection products
Nouvelles expertises de l’Anses sur les SDHI dans les produits phytopharmaceutiques
05/12/2023

New ANSES expert appraisals on SDHIs in plant protection products

ANSES is publishing two opinions on the safety of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs). These active substances are used in plant protection products to combat fungi that are harmful to crops. After reviewing all the available data, the Agency recommends adjusting certain toxicity reference values intended to protect human health. These conclusions will be presented at European level. ANSES has also assessed the risks to consumers associated with residues of various SDHIs in food. It does not highlight any health concerns arising from the cumulative ingestion of residues in food in light of the adjusted toxicity values.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal and concerns everyone: you can reduce the risks by adopting the right practices.
chauffage
05/12/2023

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal and concerns everyone: you can reduce the risks by adopting the right practices.

As the temperature drops, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning increases, linked to the use of heating appliances. Such accidents can also be caused by the use of electricity generators. Every year, France sees around 1300 episodes of CO poisoning, involving almost 3000 people. Invisible, odourless and non-irritating, carbon monoxide is undetectable. However, some simple practices can help reduce the risks. Particular attention should be paid to using mobile fuel-burning space heaters properly, and avoiding makeshift heating systems, which are particularly risky.
Cockroaches, bedbugs... to eradicate them, don't use banned products!
Expositions au produit SNIPER 1000 EC DDVP®
05/12/2023

Cockroaches, bedbugs... to eradicate them, don't use banned products!

Between January 2018 and June 2023, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and the poison control centres registered 163 cases of poisoning related to SNIPER 1000 EC DDVP. This product contains the insecticide dichlorvos, which is banned in France.
PNR EST: projects selected for 2023
PNR EST
30/11/2023
News

PNR EST: projects selected for 2023

Following the 2023 calls for proposals issued by the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health, ANSES has selected 45 research projects, which will receive funding amounting to a total of €7.41 million. This research seeks to provide new knowledge on environmental risks to human health in the general or occupational populations, as well as on risks to ecosystems.
Bumblebees affected by pesticide use
Bourdons
30/11/2023

Bumblebees affected by pesticide use

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.
Hair used as evidence of exposure to certain chemicals
Analyse des cheveux
16/11/2023

Hair used as evidence of exposure to certain chemicals

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.
Renewal of the International Cooperation for Health (IC4Health) consortium
Renouvellement du réseau de coopération internationale pour la santé IC4Health
27/10/2023

Renewal of the International Cooperation for Health (IC4Health) consortium

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).
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus detected for the first time on cattle farms in southern France
24/10/2023
News

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus detected for the first time on cattle farms in southern France

On 6 October 2023, the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus was detected in ticks of the genus Hyalomma collected from cattle reared in the Pyrénées-Orientales département of France. Santé publique France analysed the situation in collaboration with ANSES, CIRAD, and the Institut Pasteur. In June 2023, ANSES had published an analysis of the risks to human and animal health associated with ticks of the genus Hyalomma in France.

Decryption

What is cadmium, and how can we reduce our exposure to it?
cadmium
04/12/2023

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

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.
Bed bugs in 13 questions
Punaise de lit
05/10/2023

Bed bugs in 13 questions

Bed bug infestations have increased in recent years, due to the rise in travel and the growing resistance of these bugs to insecticides. Does the presence of bed bugs reflect a lack of hygiene? Where can you pick them up? How can you get rid of them? We answer all your questions in this article.
Reference values
pipette
09/08/2023

Reference values

The chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis and those used in our occupational activities can potentially be harmful to health. ANSES develops various reference values that are of use firstly, for assessing health risks and secondly, to enable the public authorities to establish regulatory concentrations of chemicals that should not be exceeded in order to protect our health.
Toxicity reference values (TRVs)
pipette
01/08/2023

Toxicity reference values (TRVs)

As part of its missions and under the French National Environmental & Health Action Plan (2004-2008), the Agency began a national programme on TRVs in 2004 with the aim of building solid French expertise that could be shared by the various competent authorities in this area.
Reuse of non-potable water: what are the health risks and possible solutions?
Eau Développement durable
17/07/2023

Reuse of non-potable water: what are the health risks and possible solutions?

With water resources becoming increasingly scarce, there is growing interest in reusing wastewater and rainwater for irrigating crops, watering green spaces, washing floors and cars, or flushing toilets. However, this water may contain various pathogenic micro-organisms and potentially toxic organic or inorganic chemicals. Here are some explanations.
What are the effects of forest fires on population health?
Feu de forêt
12/07/2023

What are the effects of forest fires on population health?

With droughts and heat waves on the increase, fires are becoming more and more frequent in France. Fires produce gases and particulate emissions that impact population health, particularly for firefighters, who are the most exposed group. This article explains why.
One Health for living beings and ecosystems
Homme Animaux
29/03/2023

One Health for living beings and ecosystems

One Health aims to promote a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to health issues. Where did this approach come from and what does it involve? How does ANSES apply it when carrying out its activities? Find out in our article.
Pesticides in tap water
Pesticides
15/03/2023

Pesticides in tap water

As they disperse in the environment after application, the active substances in pesticides can degrade into one or more other compounds called "metabolites". Some of these substances then end up in drinking water. In order to guarantee consumer health, ANSES provides the Directorate General for Health with scientific benchmarks that are invaluable for monitoring tap water quality. To do this, the Agency uses a method for identifying those pesticide metabolites whose presence in drinking water warrants priority attention.
Asbestos: still a very topical problem
Amiante
07/02/2023

Asbestos: still a very topical problem

Asbestos was used on a massive scale for more than a century in various sectors including construction and public works, because of its specific properties and low extraction cost. Classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 1977, its use in France has been prohibited since 1997. However, many materials containing asbestos are still currently in place, constituting sources of exposure for workers and the general population.
Eight questions on exposure to electromagnetic waves
Radiofrequences
03/01/2023

Eight questions on exposure to electromagnetic waves

We are exposed to electromagnetic fields and waves on a daily basis: from sunlight, during X-ray examinations, when standing near electrical cables or while using our mobile phones. What exactly are they? What are their potential health effects? Can they also have consequences on animal health? Can we limit our exposure and if so, how? This article provides some answers.
Electromagnetic waves
Radiofréquences
03/01/2023

Electromagnetic waves

Our lifestyles are increasingly exposing us to electromagnetic fields and waves, whether from household appliances, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile phones, connected objects, high-voltage lines, etc. ANSES has been working for many years to advance knowledge of the health effects associated with these technologies.
Electromagnetic waves
Risks of dietary exposure to chlordecone in the French Caribbean
Chlordécone
19/12/2022

Risks of dietary exposure to chlordecone in the French Caribbean

Chlordecone is a pesticide that can pose a risk to human health. It was used in banana plantations in the French Caribbean until 1993. Being very persistent, it has permanently contaminated the soil and water, and even today has an impact on crops and livestock production. Since the early 2000s, ANSES has been working to improve knowledge on exposure of the French Caribbean population to this contaminant and the associated health risks. In particular, it has made recommendations on the consumption of locally produced food.

Publications

Document PDF
Water
Date de mise en ligne
05/09/2023
Numéro de saisine
2021-SA-0212
Document PDF
Health reference values
Date de mise en ligne
21/08/2023
Numéro de saisine
2021-SA-0212
Document PDF
Assessment of the risks related to physical agents and new technologies
Date de mise en ligne
17/05/2023
Numéro de saisine
2018-SA-0168
Document PDF
Non-committee opinion
Date de mise en ligne
07/03/2024
Numéro de saisine
2022-METH-0197
Document PDF
Chemicals covered by the REACh and CLP Regulations
Date de mise en ligne
20/02/2023
Numéro de saisine
2022-AST-0135