Plants sold commercially: What are the health risks?
Common yew, dieffenbachia, garden angelica… ANSES publishes the list of commercially available plants which can pose a health risk and the precautions to take to avoid poisoning. This information is also available on the plantes-risque.info website.
Better characterising the exposure of French Caribbean populations to chlordecone through food
ANSES has launched the ChlorExpo study in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Its aim is to obtain a more accurate picture of the population's level of dietary exposure to chlordecone, guided by the latest knowledge on the risks of exposure to this chemical contaminant. In order to take better account of local food procurement, preparation and cooking practices, ANSES is carrying out a scientific survey among residents this summer. The findings will be used to help limit the population's exposure, without requiring them to abandon local products or production and distribution methods.
Ensuring that hand sanitisers are effective against coronavirus
ANSES's expert appraisal has confirmed the effectiveness of the hand sanitiser gels and solutions manufactured and placed on the market under a special exemption from March 2020 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for long-lasting effectiveness, it is preferable to use gels and solutions with at least 65% alcohol or whose effectiveness against viruses has been validated experimentally in accordance with the EN 14476 standard.
Use of pesticides in the home in the French overseas territories (Reunion Island, Guadeloupe, Martinique)
Used in gardens and homes or as antiparasitic products for humans and pets, pesticides expose the public to health risks that need to be controlled. In order to better understand the practices and uses of pesticides in the French overseas territories, ANSES conducted the Pesti'home study. Following its first report in October 2019 focusing on metropolitan France, today it is publishing the findings of the survey carried out among 608 households in the French Caribbean and on Reunion Island.
What are the risks of virtual reality and augmented reality, and what good practices does ANSES recommend?
Virtual and augmented reality are increasingly used in a wide variety of fields including healthcare, training, real estate, safety and leisure. In parallel with this deployment, ANSES decided to take a closer look at the impact of the population's exposure to these emerging technologies and the possible associated health effects. It is now calling for users to observe a few good practices to limit the adverse effects associated with these new uses. This expert appraisal follows on from earlier work by the Agency, which for several years has been studying the health impact of new digital technologies – 3D , screens , etc. – in a world where their applications are multiplying and uses are constantly evolving.
Keep objects containing magnetic balls out of the reach of children!
The health authorities are alerting parents and carers of young children to the risks of swallowing magnetic balls. These accidents can lead to very serious complications.
Gabrielle Bouleau re-elected as Chair of ANSES's Committee for Ethical Standards and Prevention of Conflicts of Interest
Gabrielle Bouleau was re-elected as Chair of ANSES's Committee for Ethical Standards and Prevention of Conflicts of Interest on 16 June 2021. A chief engineer in bridges, water and forestry at INRAE, Gabrielle Bouleau is an expert in environmental policy. As head of ANSES's Ethics Committee, she remains committed to ensuring that the Agency's expert appraisal work complies with the principles of independence.
The results of the European Valitest project, coordinated by ANSES, were presented at the project's final general assembly on Wednesday 9 June. This project assessed a total of 83 tests, and led to diagnostic practices being harmonised for 11 plant pests.
Re-assessment of glyphosate: the group of Member States submits its draft report to EFSA and ECHA
As glyphosate's approval in the European Union expires at the end of 2022, any future use requires this herbicidal active substance to undergo a new assessment of the risks to humans and the environment. A group of four rapporteur Member States (France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden) was appointed to carry out the first step of this re-assessment, in accordance with European legislation*. In the interests of transparency, this group, known as the Assessment Group on Glyphosate (AGG), has been publishing information on the most significant advances in this process since the work began in 2019 . On 15 June, to coincide with submission of the draft renewal assessment report to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the AGG published an online summary of the process and the main results of its assessment, which is the first step. At the same time, the European agencies announced that they will publish the draft report and launch a public consultation on it in September. It will also be peer reviewed by experts from other Member States. In accordance with EU legislation, following this consultation and any further data provided later, the preliminary report may be revised and a final report published. The European Commission will then draw on the findings of the assessments conducted by EFSA and ECHA to propose the possible renewal of glyphosate's approval to Member States in 2022. Read the summary of the draft report on the web page of the Assessment Group on Glyphosate. Find out more about ANSES and the assessments conducted on glyphosate and the plant protection products containing this active substance. For any questions on the draft report and the assessment process, contact: AGG@ec.europa.eu * Regulation (EU) No 686/2012 as amended designating the rapporteur Member States