On 26 September, World Environmental Health Day, promoted by the International Federation of Environmental Health, is observed, drawing attention to an increasingly evident relationship: protecting health also means understanding and protecting the environment in which we live.
The quality of air, water and food, exposure to chemical and biological contaminants, the presence of emerging pollutants, climate change and ecosystem degradation can directly or indirectly affect human and animal health. Understanding these interactions therefore requires approaches that go beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries.
At CESAM, this perspective lies at the heart of the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. Research carried out at the Centre seeks to understand these relationships, develop monitoring and risk assessment tools, and contribute to prevention and mitigation strategies supported by scientific evidence.
This work is reflected in the Environmental Management, Pollution and Modelling Thematic Line (TL2), dedicated to studying the sources, pathways and impacts of pollution and to developing solutions to improve environmental quality. It is particularly closely linked to the Environmental Monitoring, Health and Risk Assessment Research Cluster (RC5), whose research includes the monitoring of environmental contaminants, the assessment of exposure to toxic substances and pathogens, and the study of the links between environmental pollution and health.
One example of this research is the WIN-PLASTIC — World In Plastic: Impact of Plastic and Bioplastic Ingestion on the Gut and Human Health project, which addresses an emerging issue at the interface between environment and health. In response to the presence of micro- and nanoplastics and their additives in the food chain, the project compares the safety profiles of conventional polymers and bioplastics, analysing particle formation and the migration of chemical contaminants, while assessing their potential impacts on human health.
The European project ETERNAL — Boosting the reduction of the environmental impact of pharmaceutical products throughout their entire life cycle also addresses the links between environment, health and sustainability. Funded by the Horizon Europe programme, the project sought to help reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceutical products through an approach encompassing their entire life cycle, from design and manufacturing to use and disposal. The work included assessing environmental risks associated not only with active pharmaceutical ingredients, residues and metabolites, but also with other chemicals and by-products generated during production processes.
These projects illustrate how environmental health depends on the ability to identify emerging risks, understand exposure pathways, and develop solutions that can prevent or reduce impacts on ecosystems and populations.
By marking World Environmental Health Day, CESAM reinforces the importance of understanding the connections between environment and health and of producing scientific knowledge that contributes to healthier ecosystems and more resilient communities.