Vincent Godard

Use of GIS in visualization of work-related health problems.

Background Occupational health and safety (OHS) information is often complex, diverse and unstructured and suffers from a lack of integration which usually precludes any systemic insight of the situation. Aims To analyse to what extent the use of geographical information systems (GISs) can help to integrate, analyse and present OHS data in a comprehensive and communicable way relevant for surveillance purposes. Methods We first developed a ‘macro-approach’ (from national to local level), mapping data related to economic activity (denominator of active workers displayed by activity sectors), as well as work-related ill-health (numerators of workers suffering from work-related ill-health). The latter data are composed of compensated occupational diseases on the one hand and work-related diseases investigated by specialized clinics on the other hand. Then, a ‘micro-approach’ was worked out, integrating at a plant level, using computer-aided drawing, occupational risks data and OHS surveillance data (e.g. use of medication and sickness absence data). Results At the macro-level, microelectronics companies and workers were mapped at different scales. For the first time, we were able to compare, up to the enterprise level, complementary data showing different pictures of work-related ill-health, allowing a better understanding of OH issues in this sector. At the micro-level, new information arose from the integration of risk assessment data and medical data. Conclusions This work illustrates to what extent GIS is a promising tool in the OHS field, and discusses related challenges (technical, ethical, biases and interpretation) and research perspectives.

Typologie des paysages forestiers du sud du massif de Fontainebleau après la tempête de décembre 1999

The tempest of 1999 resulted in significant damages in French forests. Various investigation methods have been used to estimate the impact of the tempests on forestry resources. The method described here combines sample of squares investigated locally and optical satellite data. The result of this alea on a sector, located in the south of Fontainebleau forest, associating plots in use and others kept as integral biological reserve. The estimation of the results concerns time, spatial and thematic aspects and thus, the interest and replication of the method of observation and the follow up of change in rural territories.

Infection of Ixodes ricinus by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in peri-urban forests of France

Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. In Europe, it is transmitted by Ixodes ticks that carry bacteria belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. The objective of this work was to explore eco-epidemiological factors of Lyme borreliosis in peri-urban forests of France (Sénart, Notre-Dame and Rambouillet). We investigated whether the introduction of Tamias sibiricus in Sénart could alter the density of infected ticks. Moreover, the density and tick infection were investigated according to the tree species found in various patches of Sénart forest. For this purpose, ticks were sampled during 3 years. In the Sénart forest, the density of nymph and adult ticks showed no significant difference between 2008, 2009 and 2011. The nymph density varied significantly as a function of the month of collection. Regarding the nymphs, a higher rate of infection and infected density were found in 2009. Plots with chipmunks (C) presented a lower density of both nymphs and adult ticks than plots without chipmunks (NC) did. A higher rate of infection of nymphs with Borrelia was seen in C plots. The prevalence of the various species of Borrelia was also found to vary between C and NC plots with the year of the collect. The presence of chestnut trees positively influenced the density of both nymphs and adults. The infected nymph density showed a significant difference depending on the peri-urban forest studied, Sénart being higher than Rambouillet. The prevalence of Borrelia species also differed between the various forests studied. Concerning the putative role that Tamias sibiricus may play in the transmission of Borrelia, our results suggest that its presence is correlated with a higher rate of infection of questing ticks by Borrelia genospecies and if its population increases, it could play a significant role in the risk of transmission of Lyme borreliosis.

How to Map out the Routes of Walkers in a Forestry Environment Considered to be of Risk

Well known in rural areas, Lyme borreliosis poses a new problem of public health in heavily urbanized spaces. While it is too early to say whether there is an emergence (or a re-emergence) of Lyme borreliosis in the Ilede- France region, however, it is necessary to take into account exposures and risk factors related to this disease, particularly for urban populations which are sometimes poorly informed about the risk of Lyme borreliosis. For instance, we need to do some research on the contacts between the routes that people follow in the forest and the spaces and environments considered to be of risk (e.g. the most suitable habitat for ticks). Indeed, as an essential component of risk assessment, the human factor, which is characterized by certain types of behaviours, such as the mode of penetration and the frequency of visits of endemic foci, is too often overlooked in studies on Lyme disease ecology. So, we have therefore carried out a number of inquiries on people who are doing some physical activities in the pilot site of the Forest of Senart in 2009-2010. Such inquiries have recorded, by mapping, the routes followed by users, and by questionnaires, the socio-demographic parameters that are associated to each of them. Another section of the present study is carried out, at the moment, to estimate tick abundance in the Senart forest (ticks sampling from the vegetation and from deer populations). It will then be possible to find how the structure of a forest area is likely to favour the contact between forest users and vectors of the disease; the outcome being the spacialization of this contact and to study ways in which it is possible to minimize risk via the landscape and design. The results show a forestry contrast between attractive and repulsive areas. However, the declarative method of itineraries reported by manual mapping must be compared with passive method to elucidate the behaviour of some walkers. In fine, this study deals with the issue of society’s vulnerability in relation to environmental health risks and looks particularly at how to manage the public’s use of forests in the context of an “emerging” health risk.