ANSES publishes its methodological guide to creating tables of occupational diseases
In 2018, the government decided to implement independent collective expert appraisals to improve the recognition of occupational diseases in France. The aim of this decision was to separate the expert appraisal phase from negotiations with the social partners, as part of the procedure for creating or revising occupational disease tables. ANSES was therefore asked to carry out an initial series of expert appraisals. Today, the Agency is publishing a methodological guide describing the recommended scientific approach to follow in order to identify and characterise the links between occupational exposures or working conditions and health problems.
ANSES portrait - Stephan Zientara “Making discoveries and preventing disease more effectively”
Stephan Zientara, age 56, is a veterinary surgeon and virologist. His role at ANSES is to study infectious animal diseases, zoonoses and vector-borne diseases. General Inspector of veterinary public health – Director of the ANSES/INRAE/ENVA joint research unit – Deputy Director of the ANSES Laboratory for Animal Health at the Maisons-Alfort site
The mushroom foraging season is here: stay alert to the risk of poisoning!
Early autumn marks the beginning of the wild mushroom picking season. Every year, numerous cases of poisoning caused by mushrooms are reported to poison control centres. This type of poisoning can have serious health consequences leading to hospitalisation or even death: severe digestive disorders, kidney complications or liver damage requiring a transplant. Whether you are a connoisseur or an occasional picker, you must therefore remain vigilant and comply with good practices to ensure safe consumption.
Gabrielle Bouleau elected as Chair of the ANSES Committee for Ethical Standards
Gabrielle Bouleau was elected as Chair of the ANSES Committee for Ethical Standards and Prevention of Conflicts of Interest on 16 September 2020. A chief engineer in bridges, water and forestry, and a socio-political expert with INRAE (the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment), Gabrielle Bouleau recently joined LISIS [1] , where she is studying how public policies take account of environmental issues and risks. A member of the Committee since 14 December 2018, Gabrielle Bouleau takes over from philosopher Pierre Le Coz, Chair of the Committee since its founding in 2011. Gabrielle Bouleau began her career as head of the public engineering department with the Departmental Directorate for Agriculture and Forestry in the Drôme département of south-east France. She then worked in engineer training before moving into research with the French National School of Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry. In 2005, she joined the Cemagref research institute and, in 2007, she obtained a PhD in environmental science on changing water policies and indicators in France. After a post-doctoral position at the University of California, Berkeley, she shifted the focus of her work to political science and obtained an accreditation to supervise research in this field in 2017. Her research studies focus on environmental policies in France, Europe and the United States. In particular, she looks at how the political agenda takes account of new environmental issues and how these issues are translated into public policy and new activities. She is also in charge of “public policies, risks and adaptation” at the EcoSocio department of INRAE, and responsible for two master's modules at the École des Ponts engineering school. In addition, she is the author of a recent publication on the politicisation of environmental issues: “ Politisation des enjeux écologiques. De la forme au motif environnemental” . Gabrielle Bouleau explained that her application for the position of chair of the ANSES Committee for Ethical Standards and Prevention of Conflicts of Interest was motivated by "the ambition to ensure that the Committee remains independent and pluralistic, in order to promote balanced debate and efficient working”. ANSES Committee for Ethical Standards and Prevention of Conflicts of Interest On its founding in 2010, ANSES set up a Committee for Ethical Standards and Prevention of Conflicts of Interest (CDPCI). The Committee’s brief is to issue opinions on questions relating to ethics and the independence of the Agency's work. A key component of Agency governance, the Committee is made up of between five and eight members, appointed by ministerial order. Four new members were appointed by order on 28 July 2020: Ms Sophie GERBER, Professor Didier HOUSSIN, Ms Cécile MOIROUD and Mr Jean-Claude PIFFARETTI. They join the existing members: Ms Gabrielle BOULEAU, Ms Isabelle DOUSSAN, Ms Marie-Angèle HERMITTE and Ms Claire SABBAGH. The mandate of CDPCI members expires on 21 April 2021. Gabrielle Bouleau was elected as Chair by the members of the CDPCI at the inaugural meeting of the partially renewed committee on 16 September 2020. [1] Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Social Sciences and Innovation
Professor Benoît Vallet appointed Chairman of ANSES's Board of Administrators
Professor Benoît Vallet, Senior Counsellor at the French Court of Auditors, was appointed Chairman of ANSES's Board of Administrators by Presidential Decree dated 10 September 2020. He succeeds Luc Derepas. Benoît Vallet is an anaesthetist by training and was Director General for Health (DGS) from 2013 to 2018. He was recently involved in managing the response to COVID-19 and the national lockdown exit strategy, and is currently coordinating establishment of the WHO Academy in Lyon on the national level.
Cyanobacteria in fresh water: ANSES makes proposals with a view to harmonising surveillance and control
Today, ANSES is publishing an opinion on the health risks associated with the presence of cyanobacteria and their toxins in recreational water, drinking water and water intended for fishing. This work has been used to update the list of toxin-producing cyanobacteria in fresh water that pose a threat to humans. To harmonise and improve water surveillance, quality monitoring and analysis activities, the Agency is offering fact sheets to aid management of the cyanotoxin risk for the various water uses. It is also providing useful guidance to managers on imposing or lifting bans on freshwater fish consumption in relation to the cyanobacterial blooms that can produce these toxins.
Hand sanitiser: take care to protect young children from accidentally splashing their eyes
Several cases of young children accidentally spraying alcohol-based solutions into their eyes after using the hand-sanitiser dispensers provided in shops or other places open to the public have been reported by ophthalmologists and French Poison Control Centres. The most serious cases have required hospitalisation and even eye surgery. Here is some advice on how to avoid these accidents and limit their severity if they do occur.
Proposal for classification of a compound found in clothing and responsible for skin allergies
A proposal for classification submitted by ANSES to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) under the CLP Regulation on product classification, labelling and packaging has been subject to public consultation since 24 August 2020. This proposal concerns acetophenone azine, a substance liable to cause skin allergies, which has been found in sport clothing. As part of this consultation, all stakeholders will be able to comment on the ANSES proposal or provide any additional information in their possession. ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment will then send its final opinion to the European Commission. If the substance is classified, the Commission will then decide on its inclusion in the CLP Regulation. If the proposal made by ANSES is accepted, this will have direct consequences on the labelling of mixtures containing this compound.
Beware of confusion between edible and toxic plants
Some toxic plants resemble edible plants and may be confused with them, not only in the wild but also in the vegetable garden. Picking plants for consumption is therefore not without risk, and cases of serious or even fatal poisoning are regularly reported. Below are a few tips from the Agency and the Poison Control Centres on how to avoid accidents.