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Monitoring and better understanding the spread of antimicrobial resistance in animals: key points from the latest ANSES reports
Antibiorésistance
18/11/2020
News

Monitoring and better understanding the spread of antimicrobial resistance in animals: key points from the latest ANSES reports

To coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November 2020, ANSES is publishing the results of its annual surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in animals and monitoring of sales of veterinary antimicrobials.
A pioneering review of knowledge on antimicrobial resistance and antibiotics in the environment
Eaux Usées
18/11/2020
News

A pioneering review of knowledge on antimicrobial resistance and antibiotics in the environment

While antimicrobial resistance is a well-researched phenomenon in humans and animals, its dissemination in the environment is less well known. However, certain resistance genes that are currently a problem in medicine come from bacteria in the environment. ANSES was therefore asked to conduct an expert appraisal of the state and possible causes of contamination of aquatic and terrestrial environments in France by antibiotics, of resistant bacteria that are pathogenic for humans and of antimicrobial resistance genes. It also examined the mechanisms that promote the emergence and persistence of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. This is one of the very first reviews of knowledge on this issue. To carry out its work, the Agency drew on the scientific literature and the results of research conducted in France on environmental contamination, in particular that funded by ANSES as part of the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST) . Contamination of the environment by antibiotics is due to human activities Antibiotic concentrations in France are low, regardless of the setting. The antibiotics found most frequently in the environment are those that degrade the least, and are not necessarily the most widely consumed. The main sources of environmental contamination by antibiotics are related to human activities: discharges of treated wastewater and the spreading of sewage sludge and livestock manure. Antibiotics found in water are therefore in higher concentrations downstream of wastewater treatment plant discharges than upstream. There are fewer data on soil contamination, and these only concern agricultural spreading sites. The antibiotics and concentrations found depend on the spreading type. Main routes of soil and water contamination by antibiotics, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and resistance genes Resistant bacteria that disappear faster than genes Antibiotics, resistant bacteria and resistance genes have the same contamination sources. Concentrations of resistant bacteria and resistance genes decrease the further they are from the source of contamination, whether this is a treated wastewater discharge or a spreading site. Although the treatments used on wastewater and spreading products can reduce the quantities of resistant bacteria and resistance genes released into the environment, they are not designed to eliminate them completely. The antimicrobial-resistant bacteria studied are mainly of faecal origin. They have difficulty surviving in the environment and are mainly found at sites heavily contaminated by human activities. Resistance genes can persist longer, either outside cells or harboured by other bacteria not considered by the studies. Study of the mechanisms that can promote the survival of resistant bacteria ANSES's work also examined the environmental factors that may promote the selection of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and the transmission of resistance genes. Few data are available on this subject. In general, it seems that the quantities of antibiotics found in the environment in France are too low to promote the survival of resistant bacteria and the persistence of resistance genes. In addition, their fate in the environment may be influenced by the presence of trace metal elements or biocides, the diversity of bacterial communities and the heterogeneity of the settings. Improving the monitoring of environmental contamination and continuing to acquire knowledge The results obtained are likely to evolve with climate change and developments in practices related to the circular water economy, such as the reuse of treated wastewater or artificial recharge of aquifers. These phenomena could indeed modify the routes of introduction and spread of antibiotics and resistant bacteria in the environment and affect its ability to dissipate this anthropogenic contamination. To improve the comparison of data, ANSES recommends that all studies on antimicrobial resistance in the environment should monitor a set of indicators including several antibiotics, a specific resistant bacterium and a specific resistance gene. The Agency also suggests that these studies should take into account the fate of this contamination over time and spatially. Lastly, ANSES recommends consolidating and broadening current knowledge, whether on environmental contamination by antibiotics, bacteria and resistance genes, on the factors promoting their spread, or on the assessment of the ability of ecosystems to dissipate contamination.
Exposure to mould in outdoor air exacerbates asthma in children
Moisissures
16/11/2020
News

Exposure to mould in outdoor air exacerbates asthma in children

Mould (microscopic fungi found in nature and in outdoor air) causes respiratory effects, especially in children. ANSES recommends improving the monitoring of mould in outdoor air and training healthcare professionals on the potential health risks to younger people.
Tobacco and vaping products: ANSES is publishing an unprecedented overview of products sold in France
tabac cigarette électronique
28/10/2020
News

Tobacco and vaping products: ANSES is publishing an unprecedented overview of products sold in France

Today ANSES is publishing its first assessment of tobacco and vaping products sold in France. The information provided on more than 3,000 tobacco products, mainly cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, and more than 33,000 vaping products, primarily e-liquids packaged in refill containers or cartridges, was analysed. The analysis identified inconsistencies and non-conformities in the information reported, of which the manufacturers were informed to help them take appropriate corrective action. Based on this initial overview, ANSES is issuing recommendations to improve the reporting process throughout Europe. To date France is the first Member State to publish such detailed information on the products placed on the market under the new European regulations.
Washable cloth masks sold by the brand DIM: assessment of the risks relating to fabric treatment using silver zeolite and silver-copper zeolite
masques tissus
28/10/2020
News

Washable cloth masks sold by the brand DIM: assessment of the risks relating to fabric treatment using silver zeolite and silver-copper zeolite

ANSES recently received an urgent request to assess the potential risks relating to the wearing of washable cloth masks treated with two active substances, silver zeolite and silver-copper zeolite. These washable masks were brought to market by the company Hanes against the backdrop of the current COVID-19 pandemic. An evaluation of silver zeolite and silver-copper zeolite is currently under way at European level, as part of the Biocides Regulation. ANSES has analysed the data provided by the mask manufacturer along with the findings of the evaluations carried out by the European authorities. The Agency found no evidence of a health risk providing that conditions of use are strictly observed. However, if the treated mask is worn without prior washing, or if is not changed when wet, ANSES cannot rule out a health risk.
A virus threatening courgettes detected for the first time in France
Virus Courgette
27/10/2020
News

A virus threatening courgettes detected for the first time in France

The Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a virus that can spread rapidly in courgette crops, causing considerable damage. ANSES’s Plant Health Laboratory confirmed its presence in France, although the country had been disease-free prior to that time.
Beware of poisoning when foraging for wild mushrooms!
La saison de cueillette des champignons commence : restez vigilants face aux risques d’intoxications !
23/10/2020
News

Beware of poisoning when foraging for wild mushrooms!

Since the start of the mushroom-picking season, poison control centres have recorded a sharp increase in cases of poisoning associated with the consumption of wild mushrooms, particularly in the last two weeks. This type of poisoning can have serious health consequences leading to hospitalisation or even death. Healthcare systems are already under strain amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, so ANSES once again invites you to be extra vigilant while picking and comply with good practices to ensure safe consumption of mushrooms.
Beware of inedible gourds!
courges amères
23/10/2020
News

Beware of inedible gourds!

At the height of the season for all the pumpkins, squash and other cucurbits that brighten up our autumn dishes, it is important to remember that not all "squash" are edible. Some inedible gourds can even cause food poisoning, which can sometimes be serious. Here are some explanations.
Update National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health: calls for research projects issued for 2021
PNREST
22/10/2020
News

Update National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health: calls for research projects issued for 2021

Update of 4 December 2020: Following the Ministry of the Environment's announcement of additional funding for projects on endocrine disruptors, the text of the general call for projects has been amended. To enable scientific teams to respond, the deadline for project submission has been postponed to 7 January 2021. The deadline for the specific "Radiofrequencies and health" call for projects remains 14 January 2020. On 22 October 2020, ANSES issued its call for research projects under the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST). Two calls will be funded in 2021: a general one on the themes of environmental and occupational health; and a second call dedicated to the theme "Radiofrequencies and health". The National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health ( PNR EST ), run by ANSES, supports research to develop scientific knowledge that is essential for health-related risk assessments and expert appraisals to assist public policy-making. Calls for projects are issued each year that focus on all the environmental risk factors for human health, either in general or in the working environment. They also cover risks to ecosystems and the quality of different environments. The projects funded help further research and knowledge on these key questions by considering the emergence of new risks associated with changes to our environment, different consumption or work patterns, the arrival of new infectious diseases or the development of new technologies. The first call for projects , of a general nature, focuses on the following fields related to the themes of environmental and occupational health: physical agents (noise pollution, non-ionising radiation, light pollution); nanomaterials and mineral fibres; risks of cancer associated with environmental or occupational exposure; chemical agents (including plant protection products); endocrine disruptors ; biological agents (including the links between ecosystem degradation, damage to biodiversity and increased frequency of epidemics); human and social science approaches to health and environmental risks; emerging contaminants; air quality; waste; climate change; vectors and vector control. The second call for projects is devoted to the theme "radiofrequencies and health", which is receiving special attention because of the need to enhance knowledge on this subject and broaden the number of scientists studying it. This call for projects focuses on four subjects: research on mechanisms of action of radiofrequencies at cellular level; research on the physiological responses to or health effects of radiofrequencies; electromagnetic hypersensitivity; characterisation of exposure. In the current context of 5G deployment, research on the frequency bands available in France will be given priority. These projects are financed by ANSES from budgets delegated by the Ministries of the Environment, Agriculture and Labour, along with several other co-funding partners: the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME), the multi-agency thematic institute for cancer (ITMO Cancer) from the AVIESAN alliance as part of the national Cancer Plan, as well as the Ecophyto Plan. A number of projects on the "vector control" theme may also be funded as part of support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture's Directorate General for Food.

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