ANSES requests that formaldehyde be classified as a carcinogen at European level
As the agency responsible for providing support to the French authorities for the implementation of European regulations on classification and labelling of chemicals, ANSES has submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), a proposal to revise formaldehyde's classification with a view to giving it a more stringent carcinogenic classification at European level. ECHA recently put the French proposal forward for consultation with the other Member States.
Dimethyl fumarate: ANSES update on available knowledge
In 2008, several hundred cases of acute allergic skin reactions (eczema, irritative and allergic dermatitis), some of which were severe, were reported in France and other European countries. These cases mainly occurred after people had been exposed to various items treated with dimethyl fumarate (DMFu), the vast majority of which were imported products (shoes, sofas and armchairs) on which this substance had been used for its anti-mould properties.
Occupational pathologies: the National Network for Monitoring and Prevention of Occupational Diseases publishes its scientific report
Since 2001, the 32 occupational disease clinics (CCPPs) in France have formed a network of medical experts called the National Network for Monitoring and Prevention of Occupational Diseases (RNV3P), coordinated by ANSES. Anonymous data from clinic visits are grouped in a common database, whose purpose is to monitor the main occupational risks, detect emerging occupational diseases, and promote their prevention in conjunction with regional actors in occupational health and prevention. In addition to ANSES, the network partners are the SFMT1, the CNAM-TS2, the MSA3, the InVS4 and the University Hospital (CHU) at Grenoble, initiator of the network. For several years, occupational health services from the general system, the MSA, or from the civil service have also been transmitting their data to the network. These two complementary approaches allow the accumulation of increasingly precise data on occupational diseases and their development in France.
Bisphenol A: ANSES issues a call for contributions on substitute products to reduce exposure of the most susceptible populations
As part of its assessment of the risks associated with bisphenol A, ANSES is today publishing two reports: one on the health effects of bisphenol A and the other on its uses. This work highlights health effects that have been proven in animals and suspected in humans, even at low levels of exposure. These effects may also depend greatly on individuals being exposed during different phases of their development, which means that it may be possible to identify categories of people who are particularly vulnerable to bisphenol A. This work is one step in a continuing risk assessment process. The Agency considers, however, that it now has enough scientific evidence to be able to identify that the priority should be to prevent exposure of the most susceptible populations, such as infants, young children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. This objective entails reducing exposure to bisphenol A, mainly by replacing it in the food contact materials that are the main source of exposure of these populations. In this context, the Agency is submitting the findings of its work for consultation and is issuing a call for contributions in order to collect, by the end of November 2011, any relevant scientific data concerning, in particular, the available substitutes and their safety and effectiveness.
Chlordecone: ANSES assesses the dietary exposure of young children in Guadeloupe
As part of the investigations it has been pursuing since 2002 into the dietary risk associated with chlordecone, ANSES has especially been examining the dietary exposure of young children in Guadeloupe during their dietary diversification phase. The results of this study, which are published today, show that long-term exposure does not exceed tolerable toxicity thresholds. Regarding short-term exposure, the Agency's study emphasises the importance of respecting ministerial Orders governing marketing authorisations for foods.
Wild boar mortality in Brittany: the H2S hypothesis is highly probable
Following the discovery of wild animal carcasses in the Gouessant estuary, the Ministry of Agriculture requested that ANSES determine the causes of their death. In view of all the available data, the hypothesis of poisoning by hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the most probable, although it is impossible to confirm whether this was the only factor contributing to this case of mass mortality. ANSES recommends further studies and emphasises that the health issues associated with the decomposition of green algae and the production of H2S on mudflats call for an investigation into the gas emissions from estuary bottoms and some river beds.
Infections by E. Coli O104:H4 : l'Anses reassesses the risks related to the consumption of sprouts
In May and June 2011, cases of infections by an enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacterium of serotype O104:H4 were reported respectively in Germany and France, resulting in cases of bloody diarrhoea, haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) and nearly 50 deaths.
Formamide and puzzle mats: minimising exposure for young children
Formamide is classified as a reprotoxic substance (1B) under the terms of European regulations (1). At the end of 2010, when it was shown to be present in foam puzzle mats intended for young children, France's Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) suspended all marketing of these items. At the same time, it asked ANSES to carry out an expert assessment of the hazards associated with this substance, to identify its uses in common consumer goods and to assess the risks related to its presence in puzzle mats. The Agency issued a preliminary report in March 2011 and has today published an Opinion and a Collective Expert Assessment Report on the uses of formamide in common consumer goods and, more specifically, on the risks related to the presence of this substance in foam puzzle mats.
Enumerating Legionella in water: ANSES reviews the existing methods
Legionellosis (or Legionnaires' Disease) is a lung infection caused by bacteria of the Legionella genus. The disease is monitored mainly through data collected when cases are reported to the authorities, which has been mandatory since 1987. In 2010, 1540 cases were notified to the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS). In 2010, 159 of the cases notified led to death, i.e. a mortality rate of 11.7% for the disease.