Study offers warning of negative immune effects from PFC exposure

HEAL has responded to a paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) today (25 January 2012), which found that elevated exposures to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in children are associated with reduced immune response to routine immunizations (tetanus and diphtheria) in children aged 5 and 7 years old. The lead researcher is Dr. Philippe Grandjean from the Harvard School of Public Health.

EU biocides law considered a “standstill” by NGOs

The new EU biocides regulation adopted by the European Parliament sounds ambitious but represents a standstill for health and environmental protection, according to HEAL and other health and environment groups.

How fracking threatens public health, more research needed

US call for study on fracking and public health - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has called for a study of the public health effects of fracturing of shale rock for natural gas, commonly known as fracking. The call is strongly supported by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), which is coordinating advocacy efforts on fracking and health at the European level, considers that extracting shale gas represents a major new threat for public health in Europe. Read the press release.

Durban climate outcomes and health gains

The COP17 climate change negotiations brought together an unprecedented global health coalition and a Durban Climate and Health Declaration was adopted in a parallel Climate and Health Summit that sent a resounding message to UNFCCC negotiators.

The Climate and Health Declaration highlighted urgent replacement of fossil fuel-based energy with clean renewable energy is vital, as fossil fuels cause "immense harm" to both climate and health.