News

Read time: 0 mins
ANSES finds a link between boar exposure to Mycobacterium bovis and the distribution of tuberculosis outbreaks on cattle farms
Deux vaches dans un pré
28/03/2014
News

ANSES finds a link between boar exposure to Mycobacterium bovis and the distribution of tuberculosis outbreaks on cattle farms

Collaboration between the ANSES's laboratories in Nancy and in Maisons-Alfort has revealed a link between boars exposed to the bacterium which causes bovine tuberculosis and outbreaks of the disease reported in cattle farms. For the publication of these results in the Plos One scientific journal, ANSES provides a summary of the work conducted.
ANSES is appointed FAO Reference Centre for brucellosis
Brucellose
26/03/2014
News

ANSES is appointed FAO Reference Centre for brucellosis

On March 5, ANSES was appointed as the Reference Centre of the Animal Health Service of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for brucellosis, a bacterial disease with worldwide distribution which can affect humans and most mammal species, especially domestic and wild ruminants as well as pigs and boars (suidae). This appointment represents significant acknowledgement for the Agency of the work accomplished, of the quality of its expert appraisal and of its commitment as a reference organisation for brucellosis on the national and international level.
ECHA adopts ANSES's proposal for a tougher classification of bisphenol A as toxic for reproduction
Bisphénol
25/03/2014
News

ECHA adopts ANSES's proposal for a tougher classification of bisphenol A as toxic for reproduction

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical which has been in use for over 50 years in the plastics industry. The studies conducted by ANSES on the uses and health effects of bisphenol A led to recommendations, issued in September 2011 and in April 2013, to reduce population exposure to it through substitution in materials in contact with foodstuffs. On the European level, in the context of the CLP regulation, ANSES proposed in September 2012 a tougher classification for bisphenol A which would list it as toxic for reproduction. The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has just adopted the French proposal. Therefore, more stringent regulatory measures will be applied.
Fibreglass classification: ECHA puts ANSES's proposal up for public consultation
19/03/2014
News

Fibreglass classification: ECHA puts ANSES's proposal up for public consultation

In March 2013, France issued two proposals to ECHA for the classification of "E-glass fibres" as category 1B carcinogens (known or presumed to have carcinogenic potential for humans) and "fibres of representative composition" as category 2 carcinogens (suspected human carcinogens). Following comments received during the public consultation of these proposals, ANSES submitted a revised classification dossier for the identification of classified substances. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has put the Agency's proposal up for public consultation through 22 April 2014.
Food supplements containing red yeast rice: before consumption, ask a healthcare professional
Compléments Alimentaires
18/03/2014
News

Food supplements containing red yeast rice: before consumption, ask a healthcare professional

"Red yeast rice" is a red mould grown on rice which is used in many food supplements claiming to "maintain a normal level of cholesterol". ANSES has received 25 reports of adverse reactions (mostly muscle and liver damage) likely to be linked to consumption of food supplements containing red yeast rice. Under the current conditions, ANSES considers that taking red yeast rice food supplements containing monacolins may expose consumers to health risks, especially those who are particularly vulnerable due to genetic predispositions, pathologies, ongoing treatments, etc. ANSES recommends that individuals falling into these categories seek medical advice before consuming these products. It emphasises that these supplements must not be used by patients taking statin-based medications, nor by those who had to stop taking statin-based medications due to adverse reactions ("statin-intolerant" patients). Vulnerable individuals (pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and adolescents, people over the age of 70 or suffering from certain pathologies, people who consume large amounts of grapefruit, etc.) should also avoid taking red yeast rice supplements.
Naegleria fowleri in bathing water: serious but rare infections
Baignade
18/03/2014
News

Naegleria fowleri in bathing water: serious but rare infections

Free-living pathogenic amoebae of the species Naegleria fowleri ( N. fowleri ) are responsible for primary amoebic meningo-encephalitis. A small number of cases of the disease, a severe infection with a 95% fatality rate, have been reported worldwide. In 2008, a 9-year-old boy died following an attack of acute meningitis after bathing and diving in a pool supplied by a hot water spring in Guadeloupe in which N. fowleri was found. Microbiological tests on a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the child detected the presence of N. fowleri . In this context, ANSES was asked by the Ministry of Health to assess the health risks of the presence of N. fowleri amoebae in bathing water. The Agency published today the opinion and expert assessment report concerning this request, indicating that the health risk of the presence of N. fowleri amoebae in bathing water is low since cases of infection are rare, and issued recommendations in order to limit possible risks of exposure.
Exposure of farm workers to pesticides: ANSES publishes a literature review report and launches a call for contributions
Exposition Pesticides
17/02/2014
News

Exposure of farm workers to pesticides: ANSES publishes a literature review report and launches a call for contributions

Different epidemiological studies conducted on population groups in the agricultural sector highlight a significant link between exposure to certain pesticides and certain pathologies. ANSES therefore issued an internal request in 2011 in order to identify, assess and characterise the exposure of agricultural workers to pesticides, and to propose reduction initiatives. Today the Agency is publishing a literature review report which emphasises the lack of data regarding farm worker exposure to pesticides in France, and is also launching an additional call for contributions.
Total Diet Study (TDS 2): ANSES publishes the data from its inter-regional analysis of substance exposure
EAT
17/01/2014
News

Total Diet Study (TDS 2): ANSES publishes the data from its inter-regional analysis of substance exposure

By conducting its Total Diet Studies (TDS), ANSES is able to monitor the exposure of various population groups to the chemicals found in foods. In addition, it conducts national consumption surveys (INCA surveys) to gather information on the population's eating habits. In order to gain a better understanding of the chemicals to which the French population is exposed through food according to the region of residence, the results of the second round of each of these studies (TDS 2 and INCA 2) have been cross-analysed. The data published today is an analysis of the possible inter-regional differences in exposure to a dozen different substances (including dioxins, PCBs, acrylamide, lead and arsenic) for which a health risk due to food contamination could not be excluded. This data shows that exposure to the chemical compounds under examination does not vary greatly between the different inter-regional areas of France.
C. ibidis: a new species of Chlamydia discovered by ANSES's Laboratory for Animal Health
Santé Animale
05/12/2013
News

C. ibidis: a new species of Chlamydia discovered by ANSES's Laboratory for Animal Health

Avian chlamydiosis is a disease caused by C. psittaci , a parasitic bacteria that affects over 465 species of domestic, farmed and wild birds. For the publication of the discovery of a new species of Chlamydia by one of its laboratories in the journal Plos One, ANSES provides here a status report on the work conducted by its animal health laboratory which is also the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for this disease.

Pages