3rd Paris Appeal International Congress, 12 - 13 April 2011

at UNESCO, 125 avenue de Suffren, 75015 Paris

Organised by ARTAC, in partnership with HEAL and the International Society of Doctors for the Environment, under the technical support of WHO.

Reducing rates of childhood cancer, congenital malformations, developmental problems, and asthma and allergies cannot be achieved without reducing exposure to certain chemicals.

Since the first Paris Appeal conference, thousands of scientists and citizens have signed the consensus statement, demonstrating their concern about the effects of a deteriorating environment on public health. HEAL believes that the 2011 congress focus on children’s health and environment will bring home the message to both policy-makers and the public about the urgency to act now.

Paris Appeal congresses bring together the biggest group of international experts on how the environment affects health in Europe. The conclusions from these meetings are based on the very latest science. Such statements provide a solid foundation for advocates to push for better laws and pilot projects that show what needs to be done. Strong representation from the medical community at the congresses shows recognition of the need to see policy change.

More than 250 scientists and medical professionals took part in the congress. Speakers from around the world addressed the links between exposure to environmental pollutants in children and in utero with worrying trends in cancer, developmental problems and congenital abnormalities, declining fertility in young men, and high rates of asthma and allergy.

HEAL message: Protect children by cutting exposure to harmful chemicals

HEAL’s mission includes bringing latest science to EU and national politicians and raising awareness of the links between environmental factors and health among the medical and health community and the public.

HEAL wants to see certain synthetic chemicals removed from the market and replaced with less harmful substitutes. Read the HEAL policy demands - Children’s health and the environment

Reducing exposure to environmental pollutants before birth and in childhood is particularly important because children’s bodies are more sensitive to damage because they are growing. Read the HEAL position paper - Preventing cancer through environmental policy change