Challenges in Environmental Health. The Role of Toxicovigilance.

Toxicovigilance, which draws on toxicological and epidemiological expertise, plays a key role in environmental health surveillance and monitoring. The activities of the Toxicovigilance Coordination Committee (CCTV), which includes poison control and toxicovigilance centers (CAPTVs) and is led by the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS), help identify risk situations and contribute to estimating the health impact of a given situation. For example, a CCTV study on cases of morel mushroom poisoning reported to CAPTVs between 1975 and 2006 documented the issue of the neurological toxicity of these mushrooms. The toxicovigilance network also identified a risk of poisoning, particularly among young children, from a moth repellent in the form of camphor balls. Recommendations were proposed in both cases to limit exposure. Research by the CCTV has also provided insights into the health impact of energy drink consumption and exposure to products contaminated with dimethylfumarate in France. The toxicovigilance system is expected to expand to include other partners, thereby improving the detection of signals and the response to environmental health concerns. (R.A.)

Author(s): Cochet A, Eilstein D, Saviuc P, Flesch F, Harry P, Arditti J, Lefevre B

Publishing year: 2009

Pages: 387-90

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2009, n° 35-36, p. 387-90

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