Page thématique

Occupational health

Prevention of occupational risks is a major public health issue. Every day at work, we may be faced with a variety of hazards: not only exposure to biological, physical or chemical agents, but also the effects of different work organisation methods. ANSES contributes to the production of knowledge on occupational hazards, exposure and risk assessment. Its work enables companies, authorities and other prevention stakeholders to better protect workers, in particular by anticipating emerging risks.

News

PNR EST: 36 research projects on environmental and occupational health selected for 2025
03/09/2026
Research

PNR EST: 36 research projects on environmental and occupational health selected for 2025

ANSES has now published the list of the 36 research projects selected following the 2025 calls for proposals of the National Research Programme...
What effects do atypical working hours have on health and on social and family life?
02/09/2026
Expert assessment

What effects do atypical working hours have on health and on social and family life?

Numerous workers are affected by what are known as "atypical" working hours, i.e. long or staggered hours, or work at weekends. ANSES's expert...
Two calls for research proposals to gain a better understanding of environmental and occupational health risks
09/07/2026
Research

Two calls for research proposals to gain a better understanding of environmental and occupational health risks

On 9 July 2026, ANSES issued two calls for research proposals as part of the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health...
ChlorExpo: measuring chlordecone exposure to more closely reflect dietary habits
04/06/2026
Expert assessment

ChlorExpo: measuring chlordecone exposure to more closely reflect dietary habits

ANSES has published the results of the ChlorExpo study, conducted in Guadeloupe and Martinique in order to better characterise the population’s...
13/05/2026
Inside ANSES

Occupational Health Plan: publication of a White Paper entitled “For a national research strategy on occupational health”

The result of a collaborative effort initiated as part of France’s fourth Occupational Health Plan (PST 4, 2021–2025), this White Paper is...

Decryption

Vaping products
04/02/2026

Vaping products

Since vaping products first appeared in the 2010s, their use has grown steadily. In France, more than six out of every 100 adults vape on a daily basis, i.e. more than three million people. What are…
06/10/2025

Occupational health

Occupational health and safety are a major focus of activity for ANSES. Through its expert appraisals and risk assessments, as well as through its monitoring work and support for research, the Agency…
03/10/2025

How are occupational diseases recognised and what is the role of the scientific expert appraisal?

If a worker is exposed to a hazard (toxic substance, noise, irregular working hours, etc.) while doing their job and then falls sick, their illness can be recognised as an occupational disease. This…
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…
19/06/2020

Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials are increasingly being used in many everyday products, including foods, cosmetics, medications, etc. Their presence raises multiple questions about the risks they may pose to human…
21/04/2020

COVID-19: all ANSES's news

Since the beginning of the pandemic, ANSES has been making its expertise available to public decision-makers for the prevention of COVID-19-related health risks. The Agency has also been offering its…
01/10/2019

Biological limit values for chemicals used in the workplace

Determining occupational exposure limits for chemicals requires different but complementary approaches that may involve measuring substances in the atmosphere of the work environment, measuring…
30/05/2018

Climate change and health

Climate change is a reality on which there is broad consensus in the scientific community. Because of the inertia of the climate system, changes to the climate related to human activities will…
05/04/2018

Exposure to silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles are used in various industrial applications, in sectors such as food (additives, food packaging, internal linings of refrigerators), textiles (clothing and bedding) and cosmetic…
26/07/2017

Occupational exposure limits for chemical agents

Since 2005, the Agency has been responsible for organising the independent, multidisciplinary, collective scientific expert appraisal needed for setting occupational exposure limits (OELs). A…
26/07/2017

Atmospheric limit values for chemicals used in the workplace

The Agency has been mandated by the French Ministry of Labour to organise the phase of independent collective scientific expert appraisal needed to develop atmospheric occupational exposure limits…
30/07/2015

ANSES: a brief outline

Created on 1 July 2010, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) is an independent scientific body which performs its risk assessment, reference and research…

Publications