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

Exposure to waves: new studies provide more insights into the risk of cancer
26/11/2025
News

Exposure to waves: new studies provide more insights into the risk of cancer

Today ANSES is publishing an update of its expert appraisal on the effects of radiofrequency waves, focusing on the risk of cancer. Since its...
Surveillance nationale des PFAS : intégrer les données de contamination et de toxicité
23/10/2025
News

Broadening the monitoring of PFAS

Restricting the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a priority, to limit their release into the environment and the resulting...
20/10/2025
News

Two ANSES doctoral students recognised for the excellence of their scientific presentations

This past June, during the 2025 ANSES Scientific and Doctoral Days (JSDA), two doctoral students were recognised for the quality of their...
Walk for 5 minutes regularly to protect your health
09/10/2025
News

Walk for 5 minutes regularly to protect your health

The average French person spends seven hours a day sitting. Whether it’s in front of a computer or television screen or elsewhere, long periods...
Dengue, chikungunya, Zika : quelle efficacité des lâchers de moustiques pour prévenir les épidémies ?
02/10/2025
Expert assessment

Dengue, chikungunya, Zika: how effective is releasing mosquitoes in preventing epidemics?

Since the 2000s, various mosquito release techniques have been tested to combat mosquitoes. These techniques aim either to reduce mosquito...

Decryption

27/10/2025

Understanding more about exposure to PFAS and the associated hazards

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS, are chemicals that share one main characteristic: they are very persistent in the environment. This persistence means they can be found…
24/10/2025

PFASs: very persistent chemicals

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, are chemicals whose specific properties mean that they are used in many everyday products. Extremely persistent, PFAS are found in all…
18/08/2025

What are the risks of food poisoning and how can they be prevented?

All of the food we eat can be a source of contamination. It can cause poisoning through the transmission of bacteria, parasites or viruses of animal or plant origin. Although it is most often benign…
15/07/2025

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…
30/06/2025

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…
Microplastiques
20/06/2025

Microplastics: risks to the environment and health

Microplastics range in size from 5 millimetres down to a micrometre (70 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair). They are ubiquitous in the environment, found in seas and oceans, rivers…
14/02/2025

Cosmetics: how can we better protect consumer health?

The composition of cosmetic products means that we can routinely be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. What are their possible effects on health? Why is it important to report adverse effects…
27/01/2025

What impacts do synthetic surfaces for sports and playgrounds have on health and the environment?

For many years, tyre granules have been used as infill material for synthetic sports pitches and playgrounds. These materials have raised concerns about their potential impact on health and the…
17/12/2024

Risks in using essential oils and precautions to be taken

Appliquées sur la peau, utilisées dans des sprays et diffuseurs ou ingérées, les huiles essentielles sont des produits du quotidien. Pourtant, elles concentrent un mélange variable de substances…
30/10/2024

One Health for living beings and ecosystems

The One Health concept 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…
20/09/2024

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…
20/09/2024

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…

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