Health and Environment Alliance

HEAL Newsflash - August 2010

Gillian Erskine — 2010-08-06T14:07:44Z

A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe.

NGOs urge Commission to come forward with a second EU Environment and Health Action Plan

The European Union’s role in protecting health through environmental policy could be enhanced by a visionary second European Union Environment and Health Action Plan, according to Genon Jensen, HEAL�s Executive Director. Read more�

European Commission delays air pollution legislation, yet again

On the 2nd July, the European Commission revealed that critical air legislation will be postponed until 2013, putting the health of millions of Europeans at risk. In an interview with Le Monde, Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said air policies will not be reviewed until 2013 as they are too costly to implement. Environmental and health NGOs argue that this is not the case. Read more�

Health organisations call for European action to combat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD affects 44 million people in Europe and is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide. The WHO predicts it will become the 3rd by 2030. In June, HEAL supported a Call to Action on COPD by the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients� Associations (EFA). Specifically, the Call urges EU institutions and Member States to develop a strategic and integrated approach to respiratory diseases with a focus on COPD. Read more �

Belgium: the new EU presidency

On July 1st, Belgium took over the European Union�s six-month rotating presidency from Spain. From July through December Belgium will focus on six priority areas, ranging from the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force on 1 December 2009, to the pursuit of strong international climate and energy negotiations.

Of particular interest are their health policy priorities which include; tackling health inequalities; the fight against cancer; Determining social factors of health. The presidency is also organising a series of events on Environment and Health issues � these will contribute significantly to raising the political profile of many key environmental health issues, and the ongoing discussions on a second EU Environment and Health Action Plan. Read more�.

USEFUL MATERIALS

New Brochure - Chemical Cocktails � harmful mixtures upset our hormones

Scientists around the world believe that increasing rates of cancer, diabetes and infertility could be reduced by removing certain hormone disrupting chemicals from our environment - But to date, political action has been half-hearted.

There are many opportunities to better implement chemicals legislation that protects our health and the environment. Our new brochure, produced by HEAL, WWF and Chem Trust, provides information on how this can be achieved, as well as how to reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals. Download it here

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH IN THE MEDIA

There has been lots of press coverage over the past few months on environment and health issues � particularly around Chemicals and Pesticides. With increasing international concerns over Endocrine Disrupting chemicals and Bisphenal A, as well as mounting pressure in the EU for stronger national pesticides regulation.

CAN YOU HELP?

Call for Information - toxicity and the assessment of mixtures of chemicals.

The European Commission�s Health and Consumers Directorate-General (DG SANCO) has issued a call for information on on the toxicity and the assessment of mixtures of chemicals. More information�

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute news, events and favourites.

This service is provided by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)to keep you up-to-date with the latest news from the HEAL secretariat.

HEAL raises awareness of how environmental protection improves people�s health, and works to strengthen European policies. We do this by creating better representation of expertise and evidence from the health community in decision making processes. HEAL is a diverse network of over 60 citizens�, patients�, health professionals�, women�s and environmental groups. Our members include international and Europe-wide organisations, as well as national and local groups. www.env-health.org

HEAL in the media - Air Quality 2010

Gillian Erskine — 2010-07-27T15:00:14Z

MARCH

EU Politics, the European Affairs daily. WHO conference on environment and health, 10 March 2010 The EU Politics new service referenced the Year of the Lung from HEAL’s side event with the European Respiratory Society at the Parma ministerial meeting on 10 March 2010.

JANUARY

25 January 2010. European Parliament Magazine. A breath of fresh air? Strong progress in the treatment and management of allergic conditions should not cause us to overlook possibilities for prevention, writes Anne Stauffer. Read the full article here on page 61

HEAL in the media - Environment&Health 2010

Gillian Erskine — 2010-07-27T14:59:52Z

Environment and Health (Parma ministerial)

Press releases

HEAL put out three press releases during the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, Parma, Italy, 8-10 March 2010.

� HEAL takes part in ministerial talks on children�s health in Parma

� Competition rewards environmental projects that save children�s lives

� Lung health under threat from climate change and deteriorating air quality

Articles

Media coverage of the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, Parma, 10-12 March 2010 extensively featured non-governmental organisations, especially in the Italian media.

Coverage of the CEHAPE Awards competition included a radio news item on the Italian national news service RAI and a photograph of the CEHAPE Award winners with ministers, Genon Jensen, HEAL and Sascha Gabizon, WECF as part of a story about winners in the Gazzetta di Parma, a city newspaper selling 40,000 copies a day. Read the article here

The Lancet also featured the positions of NGOs. Read the article here.

The Spanish press included an interview with Genon entitled: "More of third of children in Europe suffer diseases related to environmental risks". It was put out by a Spanish scientific and news agency called SINC and was picked up by two additional news agency and a blog in Spain. (M�s de tercio de los ni�os y ni�as europeos sufren enfermedades relacionadas con riesgos medioambientales SINC - PARMA, Europa, 11.03.2010 12:20. The Article is available here.

An article in the German news agency Umwelt Panorama quoted both HEAL and WECF. Award f�r Umweltprojekte, die Kinderleben retten. The article is available here .

Environmental Health News, the fortnightly publication of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), quoted Genon Jensen (on the need for the CEHAPE Awards to be copied across the WHO region) and Lisette van Vliet (on chemical mixtures) in an article following the Ministerial conference entitled Keep Children Safe. REad the article here.

An article published in a local newspaper in Lithuania features the winning project in the Water and Sanitation section of the CEHAPE awards won by the Lithuanian group, Station of Nature Research and Environmental Education. Donata Motuzaitė, "BNS" Lithuanian press agency who attended the Parma meeting as a member of the World Health Youth (WHY) journalists group, had forwarded our press release to the local newspaper on our behalf. Link to article here.

Anticipated articles featuring HEAL include a report on the Parma ministerial in the Environmental Health Practitioner journal, a local newspaper report in Lithuania on the water and sanitation project winner, and an article by Galina Stolyarova, The St Petersburg Times about the Damp and Mould brochure that we produced with WHO.

3. HEAL’s press releases were posted on news websites:

� Euractiv.

� UN Information Service for Western Europe as well as HEAL member websites.

� The EU Politics news service made a reference in its Parma report to the Year of the Lung from HEAL’s side event with the European Respiratory Society.

HEAL in the media - Climate change 2010

Gillian Erskine — 2010-07-27T14:56:45Z

FEBRUARY - APRIL

NHS Evidence website. Health groups call for 40 per cent target on carbon emissions, 5 February 2010 The NHS evidence website posted our press release on the 40% target. The website aims to allow everyone working in health and social care to access a wide range of health information to help them deliver quality patient care. The NHS is a major force in health in the EU being the biggest single employer in the EU. It is good to know that we are recognised by them as a reliable and credible source of information.

The Prescription was featured on various websites including The Equity Channel, connecting people for health; EU Highlights, January 2010, featured our 40% target, post-Copenhagen press release, as did Climate News, which also regularly reports updates to the Prescription signatories, now at 100 groups.

HEAL in the Media - Pesticides/Biocides 2010

Gillian Erskine — 2010-07-27T14:44:48Z

MAY/JUNE

23 June 2010 - HEAL, PAN Germany and EEB sent a press release on the draft biocides law voted on by the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI).. European Parliament Committee strengthens draft biocides law, but concerns remain.

22 June. Chemical watch. MEPs back more centralised authorisation of biocides (subscription only) .

24-Jun-2010. Chemical watch. NGOs welcome MEPs’ support for assessing combined effects of biocides (subscription only) .

22 June 2010. Europe Daily. MEPs demand EU authorisations for all biocides (subscription only).

23 June 2010. Taz Germany. Neue Regeln f�r Rattengift und M�usek�der.

There are also press releases from the following MEPs and organisations:

Christa Klass (in German); Michele Rivasi (in French), Holger Krahmer (in German), Jo Leinen (in German) and a Press release from the Eurogroup for Animals

FEBRUARY - APRIL

1. The Ecologist, UK. Cancer and pesticides: victims fight for justice, 4 February 2010

2. The first meeting of the "victimes de pesticides" in January 2010 produced huge newspaper, magazine, radio and TV coverage in France. Diana Smith, HEAL wrote an article in English for The Ecologist, which was picked up widely including by Linex Legal - legal current awareness website, Three farmers in France win occupational disease legal battle and an insurance litigation company in the UK Keoghs ; "One Radio Network"; Sign of the Times; Children Tips website. Articles will also appear in PAN UK newsletter and Pex newsletter (for pesticide users).

3. The Parliament Magazine. Sour grapes, 10 February 2010 This article by Corrine Lepage defending a legal challenge to MDRGF mentions HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides campaign.

4. Environmental Expert. French court rule in favour of environmental group’s legal suit on pesticides in wine, 1 March 2010 The Environmental Expert website based this article on the one that appeared in The Ecologist.

5. Making waves on pesticides in France and UK, 9 February 2010. The environmental industry website also featured our newsletter editorial

JANUARY

Findings of HEAL’s survey of pesticide use in schools were published in a press release, "Potentially dangerous pesticides used in UK schools, survey reveals", 14 January 2010.

Sunday Herald, UK

Thousands of school children at risk from pesticides, 31 January 2010

The Ecologist. UK

Contractors using dangerous pesticides in UK schools, 14 January 2010

The Ecologist article was featured in Above the fold, the news aggregated by www.EnvironmentalHealthNews.org and the survey findings appeared in Chemicals Watch News (Issue 136), Soil Association newsletter (January 2010, UK), and websites including those of Environmental Data Interactive Exchange (EDIE) as well as by member organisations.

The survey and Ecologist article were the subject of a message circulated in the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Joy Wilson of the Policy Implementation Team, Chemicals Regulation Directorate at the UK Health and Safety Executive sent it to the Amenity Forum Communications Working Group and the Amenity Action Plan Group.

HEAL in the media - Chemicals 2010

Gillian Erskine — 2010-07-27T14:21:57Z

MAY- JUNE

BPA

BPA open letter. The Open letter instigated by Breast Cancer UK and signed by scientists and NGOs including HEAL has been covered by Reuters, Daily Telegraph and Independent. The Reuters story quoted HEAL.

HEAL have their PR on the open letter here

23 June 2010. Daily Telegraph, UK. Limit the use of BPA due to health risks, scientists claim

23 June 2010. The Independent, UK. Use of BPA must be limited say scientists

23 June 2010. Reuters (Washington Post, several other US newspapers, Yahoo news service, and many other websites). Experts demand European action on plastics chemical

24 June 2010. ENDS Europe. Exposure to BPA must be reduced, say scientists (subscription only)

24 June 2010. Chemicals Watch. Scientist, health groups call for EFSA action on BPA

FEBRUARY - APRIL

Chemical mixtures

11 February 2010. Press release: Study charts path for better protection from harmful "chemical mixtures",

10 February 2010. The press release welcomes the European Commission report. "We have been highlighting the link between a combination of effects from synthetic hormone disruptors and breast cancer for several years," says Lisette van Vliet, HEAL toxics policy adviser. She urged groups to provide input to the Commission while it develops its official position.

Related media coverage:

15 February 2010. Euractiv: EU report urges action on �chemical cocktails� The article was top story in Euractiv’s Sustainable Development newsletter published the same day. HEAL was quoted in this article.

12 February 2010. ENDS Europe: Study set prerequisites for tackling toxic cocktails, (subscription only) HEAL was quoted in this article.

12 Feb 2010. Chemical Watch: Health and environmental NGO welcomes Commission�s mixture toxicity report, (subscription only) HEAL was mentioned in this article.

February 2010. WHO Public Health and Environment e-News, issue 19, Chemical "cocktail effect".

BPA

31 March 2010. Independent UK. Three excellent articles on Bisphenol A (BPA) which were followed by related letters from Caroline Lucas, MEP and the UK plastics federation, and a comment by Paul Whaley, Cancer Prevention and Education Society (CPES)

31 March 2010. Investigation: Scandal of danger chemical in baby bottles.

31 March 2010. Bad chemistry: The poison in the plastic that surrounds us.

31 March 2010. Professor Andrew Watterson: If retailers do not take action, Government must intervene.

3 April 2010. Letters: Toxic chemicals, Caroline Lucas, MEP, Philip Law, British Plastics Federation.

1 April 2010. [Comment: Paul Whaley: Is it really sensible to wait and see?- >http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/paul-whaley-is-it-really-sensible-to-wait-and-see-1932740.html]

REACH

25 March 2010. Press statement: HEAL response to the news of the Commissioners� REACH announcement.

�The Health and Environment Alliance is pleased that the �logjam� on some crucial REACH issues has finally been broken. At the current speed of naming chemicals to the �most harmful� list, the Commissioners� decision to add 106 new chemicals is equivalent to jumping ahead almost five years. We hope this rate of increase won�t be a flash in the pan, because European consumers deserve to get full answers when they use our REACH Right to Know model letters, to find out about harmful chemicals in products they buy.�

Related media coverage:

25 March 2010. Euractiv � Commission see breakthrough on REACH chemicals law, HEAL was quoted in this article.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)

Integrative Medical Practitioner. Breast cancer and the Environment and Environmental Health Policy

Quotes HEAL press release on breast cancer report: "We will not be able to reduce the risk of breast cancer without addressing preventable causes, particularly exposure to chemicals."

DECEMBER/ JANUARY

22 December 2009. Our joint press release "Ministers worried about hazardous chemicals cocktails, but postpone action", with WWF, Greenpeace and others welcomed European ministers’ recognition of the risks of ’cocktail effects’, but deplored the lack of immediate action to reduce combined exposure.

5 January 2010. Euractiv. Commission to tackle ’chemical cocktails’, featured joint position and created a link to the press release

HEAL is recruiting a Communication and Outreach Assistant

Gillian Erskine — 2010-07-13T15:11:26Z

HEAL is recruiting a Communication and Outreach Assistant (Internship) September 2010 � February 2011

The Health & Environment Alliance is recruiting a Communication and Outreach Assistant for a six-month period from September 2010 to February 2011. The main activities of the intern will be to assist in HEAL�s campaign and outreach activities, working closely with the Campaigns and Communications Officer.

The Health & Environment Alliance is an international non-governmental organisation with over 60 member organisations that aims to improve health through public policy that promotes a cleaner and safer environment. We have a strong track record in increasing public and expert engagement in EU and WHO debates and decision-making processes on environment and health. For more information see: www.env-health.org

If you would like to be part of a committed team in a dynamic working environment across from the European Commission�s headquarters, here is your chance.

Main activities include:

� Assist in the development and follow-up of advocacy campaigns, for example the Sick of Pesticides Campaign

� Write articles and provide support for the HEAL newsletter and the development of the HEAL and Chemicals Health Monitor websites.

� Compile research and information on the various HEAL policy fields

� Assist in information distribution to HEAL membership and interested audiences

� Assist in the organisation of conferences and workshops (for example HEAL Annual General Meeting)

� Manage and update databases of experts and journalists

� Carry out other duties that may reasonably be required in the light of the main purpose of the job.

Educational/professional qualifications

� Graduate - bachelor degree

� Previous work or internship experience in environment or health policy

� Working knowledge of EU institutions and processes

� Some journalism or online communication training would be an asset

Skills and abilities

� Very good written and spoken English; French or another EU language would be an asset

� Good working knowledge of standard office software (Word, Powerpoint, Excel);

� Experience in website editing and/or writing on-line articles, blogs, and/or familiarity with online social communities

� Understanding of linkages between science and policy

� Self starter and reliable, ability to work to tight deadlines

� Ability to work independently and as part of a team

� Excellent communication and intra-personal skills

Conditions

� Belgian contract of �professional immersion� of EUR 690 per month

� Duration of 6 months, starting date 6 September

Send your CV and motivation letter to: jobs@env-health.org by 20 August 2010.

We regret that due to the volume of inquiries, only short listed candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be held on 26 August.

Antonin Acquarone

Gillian Erskine — 2010-07-09T10:20:29Z

Antonin joined the team as our Climate Change Research and Policy Assistant in May 2009.

Antonin will be working with Pendo Maro, HEAL�s Climate and Energy Advisor as part of a 6 month internship. He is currently completing his Master�s degree in European Law at the University of Toulouse I Capitole.

Antonin also holds a Master�s degree with honors in September 2008 from the University of Montpellier II in Engineering in Ecology and Biodiversity Management. His knowledge of both Ecology and Law gives Antonin a holistic view on EU environmental issues. In addition, he was active on biodiversity conservation issues at the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), as a volunteer for the French Red Cross and spend a year with an student exchange programme in Montreal.

antonin@env-health.org

Skype: antonin.acquarone.heal

0032 (0)2 234 36 44

HEAL News - May & June 2010

Gillian Erskine — 2010-06-30T20:53:48Z

An update for the health and environment community in Europe

Mixed message on environmental protection of human health

In June, members of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee had a significant chance in this new Parliament to show their position on environmental health. They were voting on two files that have strong scope for reducing chemical pollution of humans and the environment. First, the revision of the EU law authorising biocides (chemicals for destroying or otherwise controlling harmful organisms in non-agricultural applications such as pest control products, disinfectants or preservatives). (Press release, June 2010) Second, the revision of the Directive on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS), which bans certain hazardous chemicals in electrical and electronic equipment. (Position paper on RoHS revision, Feb 2010) The results were quite mixed. In both votes members of the ENVI Committee introduced some important requirements for better health protection, for example on nanotechnology, but they chose not to take big strides forward overall.

On biocides, the European Parliament Committee has strengthened some health and environment protection aspects of the Commission�s proposal. For example, they emphasised the special vulnerability of children, pregnant women and other groups and voted requirements that the �combination effects� of biocides must be considered in the risk assessment of biocides (Study charts path for better protection from harmful "chemical mixtures") . On nanomaterials, the Committee introduced requirements on safety assessment methods and asked for better consumer information through mandatory labelling. MEPs also called for a new Directive on biocides use. Increasingly widespread use of biocidal products is a major concern because it may contribute to antibiotic resistance. The new directive would also be important as it could address biocide use in "sensitive areas", such as schools and kindergartens. But concerns about the draft law remain: exemptions to bans on certain hazardous chemicals, such as CMRs, EDCs or POPs, are planned which could create major loopholes. Questions also remain about the centralised EU authorisation system and the data requirements for toxicity tests.

On the RoHS revision, a coalition of public interest groups, including HEAL, has been advocating that RoHS move beyond the chemical by chemical approach and ban groups of chemicals which create persistent organic pollutants or have other toxic properties. For example, the coalition has asked for a ban on all halogenated organic chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants, and polyvinylchloride (PVC) by 2015. Unfortunately, the ENVI vote did not immediately ban any new substances but rather prioritised certain chemicals for future evaluation. New is the requirement to include most medical devices in the existing RoHS six chemicals ban by 2014. On nanomaterials, the Committee voted to ban nanosilver and carbon nanotubes and require labelling for all uses that can lead to consumer exposure. HEAL and others are disappointed that the opportunity to advance ROHS by immediately banning brominated flame retardants and PVC plastics as a significant source of global dioxin pollution was not seized.

ESCAPE air pollution research plans launch of results

Gillian Erskine — 2010-06-30T17:19:37Z

A plenary meeting of the EU-funding ESCAPE (European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects) research project, 14-16 June 2010 in Utrecht included further discussions on the timing of releasing findings.

The main results will be available in 2012 as originally envisaged but some first results may be presented in September 2011 at the ISEE (International Society for Environmental Epidemiology) meeting in Barcelona. The research will provide new assessments of the risks for health of populations affected by poor air quality. Papers will address vulnerable groups, such as children and pregnant mothers; asthma and respiratory disease, high blood pressure and cardio-vascular disease; mortality and cancer amongst other conditions. The overall strategy is to take advantage of health data from European cohort studies.

HEAL took part in the meeting to provide an introduction to its potential support for the promotion and dissemination of the ESCAPE project findings to policy makers, patients’ groups, health and environment organisations and others. Dr Michal Krzyzanowski, Regional Adviser, Air Quality, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe told the meeting that he considered dissemination to policy makers to be a significant and important task. "The timing of these findings will be good for policy developments on air quality, which makes the dissemination work very worthwhile," he said.

The ESCAPE newsletter is available on the website at www.escapeproject.eu