News

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Abricot
03/08/2018 —
News

Apricot kernels pose a risk of cyanide poisoning

A familiar ingredient for jam-makers, apricot kernels are increasingly being consumed as a natural remedy for their claimed "anti-cancer" properties. While one kernel added to perfume several jars of jam is not a problem, ingesting them in large quantities exposes consumers to the risk of cyanide poisoning. ANSES has identified several cases of apricot kernel poisoning in France through its toxicovigilance scheme, and encourages consumers to exercise caution.
27/07/2018 —
News

Agathe Denéchère appointed Deputy Director General for General Affairs at ANSES

On 23 July 2018, Agathe Denéchère was appointed Deputy Director General for General Affairs at ANSES. A former student of the École Nationale d'Administration , her career is rooted in the field of health and social affairs. Agathe Denéchère will now coordinate ANSES's General Affairs Division and will be one of the driving forces behind the strategic orientations essential to the Agency's governance in its health-related expert appraisal missions. She succeeds Caroline Gardette, who has been appointed Head of the Human Resources Department at the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Culture.
Allergies Pollen
25/07/2018 —
News

Pollen allergies and food supplements: ANSES reminds consumers of the precautions to be taken

Cases of allergies associated with the consumption of food supplements are regularly reported to ANSES under its nutrivigilance scheme. Recently, severe allergies following the consumption of food supplements containing hive products (royal jelly, propolis) and pollen have been reported. ANSES reminds consumers that people who are allergic to pollen can potentially be at risk from allergies when consuming foods and food supplements containing products of the beehive.
Protection Feminine
19/07/2018 —
News

Assessment of the safety of feminine hygiene products

Today ANSES is publishing its health risk assessment on the safety of feminine hygiene products. Chemicals have been identified in these products at very low concentrations not exceeding health thresholds. The expert appraisal did not reveal any risk associated with these substances. Nevertheless, the Agency recommends that manufacturers improve the quality of these products in order to eliminate or minimise the presence of chemicals. ANSES’s expert appraisal also examined the risk of menstrual toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Its work showed that the risk of developing this disease, caused by a bacterial toxin, is related to the conditions of use of the feminine hygiene products. ANSES therefore reminds users of the importance of complying with the hygiene rules associated with the use of feminine hygiene products, particularly the length of time that tampons and menstrual cups can be worn.
Masque
18/07/2018 —
News

"Anti-pollution" masks: not enough data to demonstrate a health benefit and justify recommending their use

In a context where prevention of ambient air pollution is a real public health issue, questions are regularly asked about the value of recommending that the population wear personal protective equipment. This led ANSES to assess the potential health benefits of wearing "anti-pollution" masks. Its expert appraisal revealed a lack of data demonstrating a health benefit. To reduce the health impacts associated with ambient air pollution, the Agency reiterates the importance of prioritising action at the source by limiting pollutant emissions. It also recommends providing better information for the population, particularly susceptible individuals, on the behaviour to be adopted to limit daily exposure to air pollution.
Ambroisie
12/07/2018 —
News

Plant health and citizen science: ANSES takes part in an operation to detect giant ragweed

ANSES is taking part in a citizen observation mission targeting the giant ragweed plant (Ambrosia trifida) in partnership with the Tela Botanica Association and the Ragweed Observatory.
textiles
04/07/2018 —
News

Footwear and textile clothing: consumers need better protection from the risks of skin allergies and irritation

Cases of skin allergies and irritation related to clothing or footwear are regularly reported to the health authorities. Today ANSES is publishing the results of the expert appraisal it conducted to identify the chemicals likely to be found in these articles and possibly responsible for these cases. Further to this expert appraisal, the Agency is issuing recommendations on how to better protect consumers from the risks of skin allergies and irritation caused by the presence of these substances.
12/12/2018 —
Event

Wednesday, 12 December, 2018

ANSES Scientific Conferences - Bee health

15 Rue de l'École de médecine, 75006 Paris
Public : oui
UPMC / Campus des Cordeliers
For the seventh consecutive year, ANSES's Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for bee health, is organising its day of meetings devoted to bee health . The purpose of this conference, which is open to a broad audience, is to review recent scientific advances in the field. A large part of the day will be given over to debate, with exchanges between the researchers from the EURL, research institutes and the technical institute, as well as stakeholders. The topic of the round-table at day’s end will be the impact of agricultural models, growing practices and systemic landscape approaches on pollinator health. It will enable a wide range of players to present virtuous initiatives that have been implemented on the territorial level to improve environmental quality and to protect bee health. This event will take place at the Cordeliers campus in Paris.
Particules
28/06/2018 —
News

Ambient air quality: ANSES recommends the surveillance of 1,3-butadiene and the enhanced monitoring of ultrafine particles (UFPs) and carbon black

The European monitoring strategy for air quality relies heavily on quality standards for a number of pollutants. Advances in knowledge on the toxicity of substances and their emissions in the atmosphere have shown that certain pollutants that may have an impact on human health are not currently taken into account in regulatory monitoring. ANSES therefore received a formal request from the Ministries of Ecology and Health to propose a list of new priority pollutants for this air quality monitoring to supplement those already monitored. In its conclusions, ANSES recommends the national surveillance of 1,3-butadiene and the enhanced monitoring of ultrafine particles (UFPs) and carbon black. It also recommends creating a national data bank of existing measurements for pollutants that are not currently regulated but are found in ambient air. The results of this expert appraisal will provide input for the discussions launched with a view to the revision of Directive 2008/50/EC on air quality monitoring initiated by the European Commission in July 2017.

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