Home-made weedkillers: never mix bleach and vinegar
Because of bans on the sale of numerous herbicides to the general public, more and more people have been choosing to make their own products. However, mixing certain ingredients such as bleach and vinegar can cause poisoning that sometimes requires hospitalisation. ANSES and the poison control centres are issuing a warning about this hazardous practice and recommend using only products bearing the words "Authorised for use in gardens".
ANSES hosts the IMEKOFOODS international conference on food safety and quality
Public :
ANSES in Maisons-Alfort
ANSES, as the French scientific assessment agency for food and nutrition, has offered to host the 7th edition of the IMEKOFOODS conference, which will be held from 25 to 27 October 2023.
Confusion between autumn crocus and wild garlic can lead to fatal poisoning
Wild plant picking can lead to confusion between edible and poisonous plants. ANSES and the Poison Control Centres are once again warning of intoxications linked to the consumption of autumn crocus, confused with wild garlic. Between 2020 and 2022, two deaths occurred due to autumn crocus poisoning.
Avian influenza: three vaccination scenarios for poultry
Health crises caused by avian influenza have been recurring and growing in scale, which means that preventive measures on French poultry farms need to be reinforced. The vaccination of poultry is a possible option that is being considered to supplement the biosecurity measures already in place on these farms. To help the public authorities establish a vaccination strategy that could be implemented as early as autumn 2023, ANSES is proposing three preventive vaccination scenarios. They aim to protect poultry sectors and limit the spread of the virus by determining the types of farms and the species to be vaccinated as a priority, depending on the available vaccination resources.
Emerging pollutants in drinking water: review of the main findings of the latest national campaign
ANSES’s Laboratory for Hydrology periodically conducts campaigns to assess chemical compounds in drinking water that are not (or not sufficiently) sampled during routine monitoring. The data from the latest campaign are published today. This is an overview of the main findings, including analyses of more than 150 pesticides and pesticide metabolites and approximately 50 explosives residues.
Plant-parasitic nematodes: new waste management solutions
Nematodes are parasitic worms, some species of which cause major crop losses. To prevent their spread, it is important to disinfect organic waste – plants, soil and sludge – and water that have been in contact with these pests before discarding or reusing them. Scientists from ANSES's Plant Health Laboratory have assessed the effectiveness of various disinfection methods enabling this waste to be recovered and reused as part of the circular economy.
Scientific Conference on Air and Health: Knowledge to Support Action
Public :
Maison de la RATP - 54 Quai de la Rapée 75012 Paris
Air, whether it is outdoor air or air in enclosed environments, is likely to be polluted by numerous contaminants. Research is essential to provide the scientific knowledge needed to assess health risks and support actions to improve air quality. On 6 June, ANSES and the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) are joining forces to organise a scientific meeting on this topic. This conference will be devoted to the work that the two agencies are carrying out or funding to characterise exposure to air pollution, to explore its effects on health and to improve air quality. During the conference, ANSES will report on the results of the National Plan for Research on Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST) on this subject. Each of the following themes will be the subject of a session of scientific presentations: Exposure in transport and in cities Occupational environments Indoor air quality Micro-sensors and participatory sciences This event will be held in person and remotely.
Only consume liquorice occasionally and in moderation
Liquorice is found in a wide variety of foods and drinks, including sweets, ice cream, syrups and alcoholic beverages. Regularly eating large amounts of food containing liquorice can cause serious and potentially life-threatening poisoning, even in healthy individuals. Following the cases of poisoning recorded by poison control centres from 2012 to 2021, ANSES is recommending that liquorice should only be consumed occasionally and in moderation.
Classifying two methacrylates as sensitising and irritant substances
The harmonised classification proposals submitted by ANSES under the CLP Regulation (on classification, labelling and packaging of products) aim to better manage the risks associated with the use of 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) at European level. These substances, used in the manufacture of polymers and resins, are found in many products including cosmetics and personal care products. They can cause allergic and irritant reactions, especially for professionals. These classification proposals have been available for public consultation since 13 March 2023 on the website of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to enable all stakeholders to comment or provide additional information on these substances.