Environmental health

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.

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..

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.

Between 2017 and 2022, more than one in 10 French households were infested by bed bugs. Contrary to popular belief, their presence does not indicate a lack of cleanliness, and anyone can fall victim to an infestation in their home. Moreover, bed bugs are a costly nuisance for households in metropolitan France, considering the expense of treatment and the psychological impact. The Agency therefore recommends that certain households be provided with financial assistance to cover the costs associated with exterminating bed bugs. It also recommends that professionals and private individuals favour alternative control methods instead of chemical insecticides.

In 2021 ANSES created Zootopique, the anticipation podcast that looks at the links between human and animal health. Season 2 of Zootopique, available now, reminds us that both now and in the future, animal health is our health too. The flu, global warming, antibiotics and fish are the topics that will be addressed in these four new episodes. Episode 1 is available now (in French).

Blooms of Ostreopsis microalgae have caused almost 900 cases of poisoning on the Basque coast since 2021. ANSES has recommended a series of measures to protect the populations most at risk, in particular professionals working on or near the beaches.

Ticks of the genus Hyalomma, which have been observed in the south of France for several years, could potentially spread throughout metropolitan France as a result of climate change. These ticks can transmit Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), among other diseases. No indigenous cases have been detected in humans in France, but cases are recorded every year in Spain. In its scientific expert appraisal, ANSES confirms the risk of emergence and calls for the nationwide surveillance of these ticks.

ANSES believes that the European Commission's new Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial, published on 10 June 2022, is too restrictive and could lead to a regression in the protection of public health and the environment. The Agency is therefore urging the French authorities to take a more inclusive definition into account and work towards its integration in the revision of sectoral regulations at European level. With this in mind, the Agency has listed all the criteria needed to define nanoscale objects whose possible health effects warrant assessment.

Following the provision of new data from the French Scientific and Technical Centre for Building (CSTB) and the French Frequency Agency (ANFR), ANSES has updated the expert appraisal on Linky smart electricity meters it conducted in 2017. The Agency confirms that there is little likelihood of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by Linky meters generating health effects in the short or long term.

Because of bans on the sale of numerous herbicides to the general public, more and more people have been choosing to make their own products. However, mixing certain ingredients such as bleach and vinegar can cause poisoning that sometimes requires hospitalisation. ANSES and the poison control centres are issuing a warning about this hazardous practice and recommend using only products bearing the words "Authorised for use in gardens".

Air, whether it is outdoor air or air in enclosed environments, is likely to be polluted by numerous contaminants. Research is essential to provide the scientific knowledge needed to assess health risks and support actions to improve air quality. On 6 June, ANSES and the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) are joining forces to organise a scientific meeting on this topic. This conference will be devoted to the work that the two agencies are carrying out or funding to characterise exposure to air pollution, to explore its effects on health and to improve air quality. During the conference, ANSES will report on the results of the National Plan for Research on Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST) on this subject. Each of the following themes will be the subject of a session of scientific presentations: Exposure in transport and in cities Occupational environments Indoor air quality Micro-sensors and participatory sciences This event will be held in person and remotely.