the French health security agency considers the European regulations too lax

The National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses) publishes a report recommending a more “protective” definition of nanomaterials than that proposed by the European Commission. Objective: to guard against potential health hazards. Nanomaterials are found in many everyday products, such as medicines, sunscreen and food. With a tiny size, 10,000 times smaller than a hair, nanomaterials have properties highly sought after in industry. Effective in the manufacturing process, these substances can also be harmful to the consumer, recalls Aurélie Niaudet of ANSES. “They can cross the skin barrier, the pulmonary barrier or even the brain barrier. And following the passage of these barriers, they can accumulate in the organs and potentially have effects, in particular on the nervous system or cancerous effects.”

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ANSES does not agree with the European regulations deemed too lax. It therefore calls on the European Commission to review its definition of nanomaterials. European countries have been trying for several years to harmonize regulations. For this, it is necessary to define what nanomaterials are. The European Commission gave its own definition last June. The text was eagerly awaited, but for ANSES, it is not up to par.

“The European Commission is ignoring nanomaterials which deserve particular attention in view of the dangers they may represent.”

Aurélie Niaudet (ANSES)

at franceinfo

For Aurélie Niaudet, “The challenge is really that there is no blind spot so that assessments are made on all substances of concern.” And there is still time to act since the European regulations on chemical and cosmetic substances must be reviewed this year.