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

Improving working conditions in the cleaning sector to better protect employee health
13/11/2025
News

Improving working conditions in the cleaning sector to better protect employee health

Essential but often invisible, cleaning workers are exposed to multiple occupational risks, including chemicals, biological agents, physically...
04/07/2025
Research

PNR EST: ANSES continues to promote open access to data on the projects it finances

Facilitating access to research data and results is essential for the mobilisation of scientific knowledge. ANSES has recently launched a portal...
26/03/2025
Expert assessment

Working conditions of food delivery couriers for digital platforms are damaging to their health

The rise of digital platforms has been accompanied by changes in working patterns that are raising health issues for workers such as food delivery...

Decryption

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…
04/03/2014

Foodborne exposure to aluminium

Aluminium is a metal that occurs naturally in the environment. It is the third most abundant element, making up 8% of in the Earth's crust by weight. It is present in the soil and in water resources…

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