Environmental health

Since ANSES's last general expert appraisal on the health effects of exposure to radiofrequencies in 2013, new data have been published in numerous scientific studies. The Agency therefore undertook a revision of its expert appraisal on the carcinogenic risk from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. To do this, it applied an international reference method for assessing the weight of evidence to the new data. It is now submitting the corresponding draft expert appraisal report for public consultation, in order to collect any scientific comments that need to be taken into account when drafting the final version of the report. This public consultation began on 30 September 2024. The deadline, initially scheduled for 30 October, has been extended to 25 November 2024.

ANSES has carried out two specific expert appraisals on breast milk, to follow on from its study on dietary exposure of non-breastfed children under three years of age to chemical contaminants. The results show the importance of reducing exposure to chemical contaminants that accumulate in the environment and the body throughout life, and can then be found in breast milk. At the same time, ANSES confirms the beneficial effects of consuming breast milk, which may reduce the risk of overweight or certain diseases in children.

Every year, more than a thousand children accidentally swallow button batteries. This can have serious, sometimes fatal, consequences, especially if it goes unnoticed. Why is this dangerous? And most importantly, what should you do if your child swallows a button battery?

Institut Pasteur and ANSES have just signed a partnership agreement to pool their skills in the interests of ‘One Health’. The two organisations carry out complementary activities: one studies human infectious diseases and the other the risks associated with animal diseases and food, including diseases transmitted from animals to humans and by vectors.

The International One H Symposium will bring together players in the animal, environmental and human health sectors for a comprehensive review of the transmission of infectious diseases from animals to humans using a “One Health” perspective.

Over the 2017-2021 period, more than 33,000 accidents caused by the decanting of household products were recorded by poison control centres in France. While many of these accidents were not serious, around 100 had severe consequences and five deaths were reported. ANSES is reiterating the precautions you should take to protect yourself and your loved ones on a daily basis.