Health crises have led to growing public concern about environmental risks. Public authorities have responded by establishing a system for analyzing, monitoring, and managing environmental risks. Healthcare practitioners have an important role to play in this system, both as frontline agents in surveillance systems and as a local source of information for the public on environmental risks. Three examples are discussed. Childhood lead poisoning remains a relevant issue today, causing irreversible neuropsychological deficits. Its diagnosis relies on identifying risk factors and ordering a blood lead level test. Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of death from acute poisoning in France and results in several thousand hospitalizations each year. Reporting cases of lead poisoning and CO poisoning is essential to eliminating the cause. The links between cancer and the environment are a major social and public health concern. Practicing physicians have a vital role to play not only in communicating about this topic but also in reporting concerning health events and participating in local investigations. (R.A.)