French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety

Environmental health

Health and the environment are closely related. ANSES assesses the impact of the environment on human health, so as to better identify health risks related to pollution in the living environment (air, water, soil) and to physical agents (electromagnetic fields and waves). ANSES also evaluates applications for the marketing of plant protections products, fertilisers, growing media and their adjuvants, and biocides, as well as chemicals within the framework of the European REACh regulations.

In application of the French law on the future of agriculture, food and forestry of 13 October 2014, ANSES is now in charge of marketing authorisations for plant protection products, fertilisers and growing media, and their adjuvants. Marketing authorisations for biocides are issued by the Ministry of Ecology.

The Agency covers a number of major issues (cancer and the environment, exposure to biological, chemical and physical agents, electromagnetic fields, etc.) in order to constantly provide society and the public authorities with the most recent scientific knowledge.

Air pollution – new insights into ambient air particulate matter and the impact of road traffic

Today, ANSES is publishing the results of its expert appraisal on ambient air particulate matter. Based on a systematic review of the scientific literature, ANSES confirms, with high levels of evidence, the health effects associated with a number of components of ambient air particulate matter, including ultrafine particles, black carbon and organic carbon. These health effects include respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and premature death. The Agency recommends that these three ...

Published on 16/07/2019