Find here all the latest news from HEAL and our members.
Below is a chronological list of all the latest news – you can also search by activity area.
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 31/01/2012 | Opportunities for health & environment under Danish EU presidency HEAL welcomes the health and environment priorities set to be addressed by Denmark in their presidency of the EU for the first half of 2012. These include extensive work on the foreseen 7th EU Environment Action Programme (with Council conclusions outlining the content scheduled for June 2012), tackling the problem of chemicals mixtures, and furthering agreement on the new EU LIFE+ programme for environment and climate project funding 2014-2020. The preparations for the UN Sustainable Development conference Rio+20 (Council conclusions scheduled for March 2012), and discussions on the EU budget or the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy also fall under their Presidency. All are exciting policy opportunities for health and environment. Further information on the priorities of the Danish EU presidency can be found on the website for the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2012 at http://eu2012.dk/en. |
| 31/01/2012 | EU biocides law considered a “standstill” by NGOs The new EU biocides regulation adopted at the European Parliament’s plenary vote on Biocide Regulation on 19 January 2012 sounds ambitious but represents a standstill for health and environmental protection according to HEAL and other health and environment groups. In a joint Press Release issued just after the plenary vote HEAL, several Pesticides Action Network groups, and Women in Europe for A Common Future (WECF) set out their critique of the new biocides law. Namely, they cite that exemptions to the phase out hazardous biocides are too wide and the lack of action foreseen to address the sustainable use of biocides. Read the full press release here. |
| 31/01/2012 | Commission’s Staff Working Paper is good news for climate, health and the economy The long awaited Commission impact assessment of going beyond 20% emission reductions is now out. HEAL’s reaction is that good news on health benefits and savings boosts the case for stronger EU climate target. The Commission Staff Working Paper “Analysis of options beyond 20% GHG emission reductions: Member state results,” released 30 January 2012, shows there is a clear opportunity to increase the EU’s ambition for tackling climate change says that “the 30% reduction scenario has become considerably less costly” thus rebutting the arguments that have held Europe back from strengthening its emissions reductions target for 2020. It gives strong focus to health economic benefits, which it estimates at €3.4 to €7.9 billion annually from 2020 onwards due to reduced mortality (25% out of 30% reductions domestically, the remainder being met through use of international emission reduction credits). “Governments should seize this good news on health benefits to raise the EU’s climate ambition under the Danish Presidency. The health economic benefits for both the EU and member states are significant, and yet we know they are just the tip of the iceberg, and do not reflect the full public health benefits of moving to 30%, as recent studies have shown”, states Genon Jensen, HEAL Executive Director. The even better news is that the Commission’s analysis is probably an underestimation given they do not include morbidity (ill-health), nor do they include the full range of health benefits from climate mitigation measures in the transport and agricultural sector, such as from increased walking and cycling. A joint report, Acting Now for Better Health, demonstrated that achieving the current 20% emissions reduction target in the EU would produce health benefits (including morbidity and mortality savings) equivalent to between €13 and €52 billion per year from 2020 onwards. Raising the target to a full 30% domestic reduction, with no ‘offsetting’, would save an additional €10-30 billion per year. “The EU member states must act quickly and put the EU on track to a low cost emission reduction pathway by 2050 by increasing its climate ambition for 2020.” Ms Jensen added, “Our findings showed that if we start today the overall benefits for citizens’ health will be more than twice as big as they would be if we delay action until 2015.” HEAL believes this merits the serious attention of health ministers and EU Health Commissioner Dalli, and urges them to consider putting the issue on the agenda of the next Health Council and at a forthcoming EU meeting of chief medical officers. More and more doctors and medical groups throughout Europe are championing the health message and urging both member states and the EU to adopt strong climate targets on health grounds. Learn more here. |
| 31/01/2012 | Proposal for new EU Health programme could strengthen environmental prevention opportunities The Commission proposal for the EU Health programme 2014-2020 underlines that a healthy population is key for Europe’s economic growth and prosperity. However, the current proposal misses out on fostering opportunities for health through environmental protection, especially for reducing chronic diseases and for promoting climate measures which produce the greatest gains for public health. Although the Commission recognizes the “underlying environmental factors” in tackling chronic diseases, the proposal falls short when it comes to defining actions on tackling chronic diseases related to environmental exposures. For example, cancer prevention and control is one of the priorities of the new programme, yet is in unclear if the prevention measures proposed will go beyond early detection through screening programmes, and also address reducing exposures to environmental contaminants. Given that poor indoor air is an important determinant of chronic diseases such as asthma with a significant burden of disease in Europe, the new Health programme should continue to address it, in order to provide support for EU and national policies. Climate change should also be strengthened in the programme to contribute more evidence on the wide range of health co-benefits around climate mitigation strategies and policies. This would in turn better inform EU climate decisions as well as increase engagement of the health sector across Europe. The proposal for the EU Health for Growth programme has a financial volume of 446 million EUR and now has to go through European Parliament and Council for adoption. |
| 31/01/2012 | Pesticides Alternatives Week: phasing out the use of hazardous pesticides Pesticides Alternatives Week is coming up - 20 to 30 March - with many opportunities to raise awareness on reducing the use of pesticides and promoting non-chemical alternatives. HEAL is especially concerned about the continued use and potential re-authorisation of Metam, a soil fumigant. A recent report by PAN Europe has shown that despite a ban on the pesticide, many EU member states still use Metam under an exemption clause, and there are even discussions on re-authorising it. Meanwhile, the evidence on health and environment impacts of Metam continues to build, including its endocrine disrupting properties. HEAL urges Commissioner Dalli to propose a full ban of this pesticide. |
| 31/01/2012 | Support a Strong Mercury Treaty The International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), a global network working towards the elimination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), recently asked for sign-ons to a civil society organizations joint statement calling for stronger mercury treaty provisions. Learn more (link to content below) The call is to address contaminated sites like Minamata in Japan where the world’s worst mercury poisoning tragedy occurred and contamination remains. The action requested is for individuals or organisations to sign on to a letter which the Japanese Citizens’ Against Chemical Pollution (CACP) has produced. It urges the Japanese government to address this issue. HEAL is already one of the signees and strongly encourages others to also sign on. Although IPEN had already gathered nearly 500 signatories on 23 January for the release of their statement to the Japanese government, they are still taking on more. Learn more and sign on here. |
| 31/01/2012 | Urge Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli to propose a full ban of the pesticide metam Join HEAL, Pesticide Action Network Europe and others who are concerned about the health and environment effects of the pesticide metam and contact EU Commissioner John Dalli in support of a full ban on metam, a pesticide that is listed as an endocrine disruptor. The Commissioner will soon have to decide about the re-authorisation of metam. For details see: http://www.pan-europe.info/News/PR/111102.html |
| 31/01/2012 | How fracking threatens public health The US Center 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. HEAL strongly supports the call having already been long coordinating advocacy efforts on fracking and health at the European level. In a press release HEAL outlines how it considers that extracting shale gas represents a major new threat for public health in Europe. The call from the CDC in the US follows publication of a review of health impacts of gas drilling which found water contaminated with fracking chemicals and toxic metals posed the most significant risk to humans and animals. Although any future study by CDC would apply to the US situation, it would be very valuable for Europe because this form of drilling and extraction has much longer history in North America. Similar broad-ranging studies are also needed for Europe on the potentially high threats to public health from drinking water pollution, agricultural water pollution, air pollution and other contamination. Learn more in HEAL’s press release here. |
| 31/01/2012 | Energy efficiency and indoor air quality: ENVI opinion highlights health concerns With their vote on the proposed EU Energy Efficiency Directive, Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) have underlined the centrality of health concerns for energy efficiency decisions. Their opinion, stressed that when improving the energy efficiency of buildings, ensuring good indoor air quality is key. Health impacts should also be taken into account when deciding on energy efficiency management plans and in energy audits. Following earlier concerns raised, HEAL calls for the leading EP Committee on Energy to take up these concerns of the health community in their upcoming vote in February. |
| 31/01/2012 | HEAL signs onto joint statement sent to Japanese government about mercury-contaminated sites HEAL has signed on to a joint statement by civil society organisations which calls on the Japanese government to incorporate the lessons learned from Minamata into the Global Mercury Treaty. Minamata community residents and Japanese NGO colleagues are concerned about how the mercury treaty negotiation will address contaminated sites, particularly because many of the Minamata remediation and compensation issues have not yet been resolved. NGOs working in public and environmental health throughout the world are also concerned because the current draft global treaty text that deals with contaminated sites is weak. The Japanese government has proposed naming the global treaty the Minamata Convention. For HEAL, it is very important that the Global Treaty addresses the legacy of the Minamata disaster, and other contaminated sites. The Treaty must adequately reflect the principles in the 1992 Rio Declaration which cover compensation for victims of pollution and other environmental damage (Principle 13) and the Polluter Pays Principle (Principle 16). An English version of the statement delivered by the Japanese Citizens’ Against Chemical Pollution to the Japanese ministers is here: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/kagaku/pico/mercury/Shiryou/Lessons_Learned_from_Minamata_en.pdf |
| 15/12/2011 | Endorse BMJ Climate, Security and Health statement, signed by more than 500 medical scientists, doctors and security experts The statement calls on the European Union to unconditionally agree a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically by 30% by 2020, and to prepare further targets towards 2050 which would incentivise the decarbonisation of the economy. The BMJ Climate, Security and Health far reaching statement was issued at a conference on the health and security implications of climate change in London on 17th October 2011, and has been signed by more than 500 leading medical scientists, doctors, security experts and advocacy groups. The statement calls upon governments around the world to prioritise efforts to address the causes and impacts of climate change and sets out seven recommendations. Among them, it urges: European Union to unconditionally agree a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically by 30% by 2020, and to prepare further targets towards 2050 which would incentivise the decarbonisation of the economy. all governments to enact legislative and regulatory change to stop the building of new unabated coal-fired power stations and phase out the continuing operation of existing plants prioritising lignite generation as most harmful to health. all governments to strive to adopt climate change mitigation targets and policies that are more ambitious than their international commitments. Add your name to this growing list in the wake of Durban climate negotiations, which failed to address the urgency of the problem by signing up at the British Medical Journal conference website, and using the statement as an organising, educational tool to promote health in climate discussions at all levels. To do so please visit: http://climatechange.bmj.com/statement To view video clips from some of the high level presentations, visit the BMJ media channel on utube and the selected links below. Professor Hugh Montgomery on Climate Change and the Health benefits of going low carbon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-c_baDvb80 Professor Timothy Lang on Climate Change and International Food Security - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4I2pIkNJc8 WHO expert, Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum on the Global Health Impact of Climate Change - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6Oos9SWa8o Dr Fiona Godlee - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQMx... Isabella Platon - International Diabetes Federation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJZZNsI_-KY Tom Burke of E3G talking about climate change, health and security - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIosMfuL0E8 Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti on the link between climate change, health and security - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Af3AqUBVI Simon Ewins on how Whitbread is taking climate change seriously - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0YwmBsI1qU Trevor Maynard of Lloyd's on Calculating Insurance and Risk in relation to Climate Change - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWRhkWnqRwE George Polk CEO The Cloud Network - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfXbNWrQ2ms Professor Chris Rapley on the Certainty and Uncertainty of Climate Change Science - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDMO... Alejandro Litovsky, Environmental Stressors and Climate Change - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m9e... Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis - Climate change and military security - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3neE... Andy Hill on why Tesco is worried about Climate Change - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxgbE7Z0QdY Lord Michael Jay - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1WhA8PiUxI |
| 15/12/2011 | Highlights from Durban Here’s an opportunity to watch inspiring speakers from the UNFCCC COP17 in Durban, see a few photos, and read some of the best quotes given from health experts. Watch inspiring speakers! From the UNFCCC press conference following the Climate and Health Summit: Professor Sir Andy Haines, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Prof. Dr. Hugh Montgomery, Climate and Health Council, University College London UK. See http://unfccc4.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop17/templ/play.php?id_kongresssession=4432&theme=unfccc The video of the Climate and Health Summit will be ready shortly... Videos from the WHO, UK and South African UNFCCC side event which advanced a new Framework for Health Adaptation to Climate Change in Africa for: Prof Nicholas Stern, of the London School of Economics, speaking at COP-17 in Durban, South Africa Dr Pakishe Aaron Notsoaledi, Minister of Health South Africa, speaking at COP-17 in Durban, South Africa Dr Maria Neira, World Health Organisation, speaking at COP-17 in Durban, South Africa See some photos! Our joint side event received a full page report in the Earth Negotiation Bulletin (see, page 2). Photos from the meeting are also at www.iisd.ca/climate/cop17/enbots/ Health leaders were also photographed taking the temperature of a giant globe and finding that if there is no immediate intervention, temperatures will surpass 2 degrees Celsius, endangering the health of billions of human beings (photos coming soon!) Some of the Best Key Quotes! "Climate Change poses an immediate and grave threat to human health and survival worldwide. Many are already affected. Emissions are rising steeply. Action is needed now- not 'later'." - Dr. Hugh Montgomery, Climate and Health Council, UK "Strong climate policy represents a major investment in people's health. The EU has recognised the benefits for lung and heart health, which has helped to put health in the climate agenda in Europe. But in the midst of austerity associated with the Eurocrisis and with greenhouse gas emissions continuing to rise, isn't it time for the EU to commit to an emission reduction target in Durban that would boost health protection, reduce health care bills and make Europeans proud?" - Genon Jensen, Executive Director, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) "...if we don’t change the positions of national governments we will never have a meaningful global agreement that truly tackles climate change. Such change, people from countries ranging from Australia to South Africa to the US agreed, needs to come from movements from below — especially those that address the link between fossil fuels, public health and climate change and that argue that a clean, renewable energy path is essential to protecting public health." - Joshua Karliner, International Coordinator, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) "I'm a 21 year old medical student, and these negotiations have been carrying on my entire life. If we don't reach a legally binding agreement on climate change soon, the protection and promotion of public health will be seriously undermined, world-wide." - Nick Watts, International Federation of Medical Students Associations "After spending the day sharing ideas and talking to people from a wide variety of organisations and countries, the atmosphere at the summit was one of empowerment. One of the key successes of the day was to forge new networks between people working on climate and health world-over. A declaration on climate and health - which included a call for action at COP 17 - was released. The time is ripe for health professionals to engage with climate change advocacy more urgently than ever and the Climate and Health Summit bolstered everyone’s motivation and ability to do just that." - Beth Finch, winner of UCL's Institute for Global Health travel bursary to COP17 and a member of the HEAL COP 17 delegation Beth writes for the Climate and Health Council blog at: www.climateandhealth.org/magazine/read/climate-and-health-summit-durban-4th-december-_156.html "Climate change presents as one of the most important threats to the gains in public health made since the advent of democracy in South Africa. The vulnerable and marginalised such as the elderly, ill, pregnant women, children and rural poor are at greatest risk. Programmes of mitigation and adaptation must include health." - Dr. Rajen Naidoo, Nelson R. Mandela Medical School, UKZN, Durban "Without bold action by governments climate change will magnify existing health crises, deepening and broadening the global burden of disease. The greatest burden will fall on those living in poor countries, who have contributed least to greenhouse gas emissions." - Peter Orris, MD, MPH, Professor, University of Illinois School of Public Health and Chair Environmental Working Group of World Federation of Public Health Associations "Climate change represents a major threat as well as a significant opportunity for human health. Unmitigated climate change is having serious and increasing effects on the health of millions of people around the world. However effective action to cut emissions will not only reduce climate risk, it can bring substantial and immediate health benefits for individuals and populations." - Fiona Armstrong, Climate and Health Alliance, Australia; Fellow of the progressive think tank, the Centre for Policy Development (CPD) and convenor of the Climate and Health Alliance Read her blog at: www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/rolling-dice-durban#.TuFuNpDn8Mg.email “A Climate win is a Health win. By working together across sectors promoting the co-benefits on climate, health and equity of sustainable development, sustainable production and consumption and waste reduction we can create a climate for Health.” Cristina Tirado, Director of the PHI Center for Public and Climate Change “Just as our thoughtless actions can harm our planet so can we make a positive and planned contribution to its recovery. If we all do our part we can collectively secure the health of future generations." - David C. Benton, Chief Executive Officer, International Council of Nurses |
| 15/12/2011 | Health mobilisation in Durban The largest number ever of health delegations attended the international climate talks in Durban. Over 200 health groups attended the dozens of side-events. More than 250 delegates from 40 countries attended the Global Climate and Health Summit, where the establishment of a global climate and health coalition was proposed. HEAL’s four person delegation to the UNFCCC conference were able to take part in many high-profile events, meet with the European climate change commissioner, several MEPs and many national and international policy makers, including representatives from WHO and UNEP., and continue the global climate and health movement and platform. Prof Hugh Montgomery, UK Climate and Health Council and member of the HEAL delegation, spoke at the global climate and health summit on 4 December 2011. Out of this came the Durban Declaration on Climate and Health and the Durban Global Climate and Health Call to Action. The following day, a press conference was held in the UNFCCC conference press centre. Pendo Maro, of Health & Environment Alliance and Health Care Without Harm, moderated the panel discussions at a Side Event, entitled “Climate Change and Public Health: Healthy Climate, Healthy People, Healthy Economy” organized by Health Care Without Harm, Health & Environment Alliance, Environmental Quality Protection Foundation, and International Federation of Medical Students’ Association (IFMSA). Pendo emphasised the positive message: the tangible medium and long-term impacts to health, economy, and the environment. Juliet Duff, Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA) met with the Irish delegation, including Irish Environment Minister Hogan where, with others, she was able to successfully put the health co-benefits across. Media coverage on health and climate change was the best ever achieved. Press articles and blogs, YouTube videos and Twitter feeds helped to get the message across both inside the negotiating venues and throughout Africa and the world. Hugh Montgomery was featured on the internal TV coverage, HEAL was featured in a full page feature in the internal newspaper and we twittered our press release to the 15 MEPs attending the Durban talks. The African media extensively covered the health aspects of climate change and articles about Durban also appeared in both the British Medical Journal and the Lancet medical journal. The official press release for the Summit was picked up more than 220 times by PR Newswire. Mentions of health in the negotiating texts remain few and far between. However, HEAL and other health NGOs worked hard to encourage countries to embed health messages and stated ambitions into the discussions. They did this by highlighting the serious and increasing risks to health from climate change, as well as the substantial and immediate benefits to health from strategies to reduce emissions. |
| 15/12/2011 | 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. 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 highlights that urgent replacement of fossil fuel-based energy with clean renewable energy is vital, as fossil fuels cause "immense harm" to both climate and health and urges governments to adopt an ambitious, fair and binding treaty by 2015, and to commit to equitable contributions to a green climate fund to assist adaptation and mitigation strategies to support human health. Although the final outcomes agreed by governments in Durban lack the response needed to address the magnitude and urgency of the climate challenge, the Roadmap does provide a formal recognition that current pledges for emission reductions are inadequate and need to be corrected. The Roadmap, proposed by the EU, and agreed by the 195 Parties to the UN climate change convention, commits governments to draw up a legally binding framework to reduce emissions by 2015, that would enter into force by 2020. The increased profile of health and health leaders at the COP negotiations, and in the parallel Climate and Health Summit, which HEAL and other partners have worked to build up over the past years, have certainly supported these outcomes. HEAL congratulates the EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard who is seen by many as central in salvaging the Durban talks and the Kyoto Protocol, and in mobilising a coalition of small island nations and least developing countries to help secure the Durban agreement. She has been a strong supporter of integrating health into climate talks within EU and will be critical for moving forward EU climate policies in the coming months as well as internationally. Dr Maria Neira, from the WHO, issued a Global Health Alert during a press conference and highlighted the important role of advocacy by the health community in bringing health on the climate agenda. Despite the shortcomings on climate action from Durban, HEAL and other partners in the global health community will move forward using two new organising and education tools, the Durban Declaration on Climate and Health and the Health Sector Call to Action, which were adopted at the close of the first Climate and Health Summit, and call on negotiators to push for the most ambitious commitments possible. In the Health Sector Call to Action, healthcare providers, professionals and health organizations commit to action themselves to cut emissions in the health sector, and have urged health professionals worldwide to engage in advocacy for climate action, to help prevent unprecedented loss of life and human suffering. In the Durban Declaration on Climate and Health, Summit participants call on COP 17 negotiators to, inter alia: recognize the health benefits of climate mitigation and take bold and substantive action to reduce global GHG emissions in order to protect and promote public health; ensure greater health sector representation on national delegations and in key bodies of the UNFCCC; adopt a strong second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol; and negotiate, by 2015, a fair, ambitious and binding agreement that is consistent with the prescription for a Healthy Planet endorsed by over 130 health organizations in Copenhagen in 2009. The Climate and Health Summit was co-organized by the Climate & Health Council, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) and the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine at the University of KwaZulu Natal, in partnership with the Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Medical Association, and the International Council of Nurses, among others, and brought over 250 health leaders from 30 countries. Active health representation at the UNFCCC COP 17 talks included HEAL, HCWH, the International Federation of Medical Students (IFMSA), World Medical Association, World Federation of Public Health Associations, Climate and Health Council and the WHO featured over a dozen side events, reports and briefings on health and climate. |
| 15/12/2011 | Energy Efficiency and health concerns Energy Efficiency is high on the EU agenda with the European Parliament and the EU Member States currently discussing a legislative proposal. HEAL urges MEPs to include health concerns in their upcoming vote especially to ensure good indoor air quality in the process of making buildings more energy efficient. Members of the EP’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety ENVI will adopt their position on the EU Commission’s energy efficiency proposal on 20 December, before it goes to the leading EP Committee on Industry and Energy ITRE for a vote in January. While HEAL welcomes the proposals’ focus on making buildings more energy efficient, given that reduced energy consumption can contribute to better health, they are missing measures which would ensure that air quality is not compromised by energy efficiency standards. A recent report by the World Health Organisation highlights the crucial role that energy efficiency measures can have in the housing sector, as a way to mitigate climate change, and which health benefits can be reaped. However, the report underlines that “good ventilation is critical to ensure health gains from energy-efficient housing”, and that it is important to decrease health risks from chemical emissions from insulation and construction materials by using healthier substitutes. Europeans spend the majority of their time indoors, and the quality of the indoor air has an important impact on their health. Despite numerous EU funded research projects analysing the sources of indoor air pollution and ways to tackle it, the EU lacks a coherent policy with regards to ensuring indoor air quality, an important determinant in people’s health. |
| 15/12/2011 | RES and HEAL on EFSA Bisphenol A Statement On December 1, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a statement on bisphenol A (BPA) in response to reports from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES). The ANSES reports gave a different assessment of the hazard posed by exposure to BPA, particularly at low levels, concluding it poses a risk for human health. EFSA stands by its opinion from 2010 which, while acknowledging some uncertainties, upholds the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for BPA that it established in 2006. (A TDI is considered to protect all human populations for lifetime exposure to a substance through the diet). HEAL and our member organisation Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) in France criticised EFSA's statement. The criticisms have been covered in articles in ENDS Daily, Chemical Watch, and in EU Food Policy (subscription-based news services). HEAL’s view is that BPA should be replaced with safer alternatives wherever possible and as soon as possible through the REACH chemicals management system, and in all other policy arenas, particularly food contact materials. |
| 05/12/2011 | Press Release: European doctor launches warning of “grave health consequences” |
| 05/12/2011 | Media Advisory: COP17 Press Conf. on Health Leaders Call for Urgent Action on Climate |
| 04/12/2011 | Irish NGO health leader describes first-ever global Climate and Health Summit The first Climate and Health Summit held December 4 2011, in Durban brought together a vast range of participants and delegates who are concerned about the health impacts of climate change. This forum provided the inequivocal facts on why health is the central issue in climate change. Climate change threatens not only the well-being, but the very survival, of human beings. The good news is that making the changes necessary to reduce the emissions, will bring both health and financial benefits. The Durban Declaration on Climate and Health was signed, which called upon national delegations to the UNFCCC's 17th Conference of the Parties to ensure a number of actions were addressed. These included ensuring a greater health sector representation on national delegations, a strong second committment to the Kyoto Protocol, and that by 2015, a fair, ambitious and binding agreement consistent with the Prescription for a Healthy Planet which was endorsed by more t han 130 health organisations in Copenhagen in 2009, will be negotiated. Related Information: HEAL's Press Release on European doctor launches warning of “grave health consequences” |
| 30/11/2011 | On the road to Durban and beyond: are you with us? This post was written by Dr. Pendo Maro, Senior Climate Advisor for Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) along with Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH-E); Pendo is currently attending the COP 17 in Durban. I was in London on 17 October 2011 attending THE conference on health and security implications of climate change. With over 300 delegates, the meeting brought together ‘soldiers and doctors’, scientists, politicians, business, industry, environmentalists and many others. This is a good indicator that joint efforts to raise awareness about health and climate change within the health sector have taken root. Even more exciting the statement was signed by many participants and other concerned people calling the EU and other international leaders to take immediate action to address the health and security implications of climate change. But, health representation both in terms of professionals and substance at international and local climate change debates, policies and outcomes remains poor. HEAL and HCWH-E are again redressing this. Having taken a health delegation to the international climate change talks in Barcelona, Copenhagen and Cancun we will also be in Durban. The idea: make sure that health forms a cornerstone of climate change talks and ambitious, binding actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. And bring the health voice forward. We are already doing so in Europe – working with other civil society groups to advocate for health in the European institutions and in EU member states. So things are moving, albeit slowly. So why the fuss? Well, climate change is bad for your health. That’s putting it simply. For starters, the health impacts of climate change are generally known. Yes, science has shown that health impacts include increasing burden of malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, mortality and morbidity from heat waves, floods and drought, changes in distribution of some vector diseases (…). The European Respiratory Society’s report shows that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in summer temperatures above defined European city-specific levels, overall death rates increase by 1-3% and by 6% amongst people with existing respiratory conditions. Add to that: environmental degradation, food shortages, increasing poverty, misery and economic instability and you have a crisis. Many citizens are concerned about this. A recent Eurobarometer poll shows that the European public is more concerned about climate change than the current economic situation, and many believe that tackling climate change can have benefits to employment and growth. So do our elected politicians hear this? Seriously. We are a few weeks from the international climate change talks, the UNFCCC COP 17 in Durban (28 November – 9 December). Expectations are high that countries will agree to a clear, fair, legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a second commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012. This is the only international legal instrument that sets binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, covering 37 so-called industrialised countries and the European Union member states. Canada, Russia, and Japan are on the opposition. The USA is not a signatory. Here we go. On 1 November, the so-called BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) meeting in China agreed to support a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and in their statement called upon the conference in Durban to establish a second Commitment Period to the Kyoto Protocol. Climate finance and the operationalisation of the Green Climate Fund set up in Cancun were other priority issues identified for Durban. The BASIC countries also called on developed countries not Parties to the Kyoto Protocol to undertake comparable emission cuts under the Convention. They pledged to take measures to curb their own emissions. These are good signs. On 4 November, leaders of the major economies, so-called developed countries, meeting at the G20 Summit in Cannes concluded by identifying the need to operationalise the Green Climate Fund as one of the priority outcomes for Durban. Let’s see what they DO in Durban. What about the EU? Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)’s Environment Committee voted for a resolution on 26 October that calls for support to the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol and called on the EU to work towards finding an agreement on the sources and management of the Green Climate Fund. The MEPs restated their call for the EU to increase its emissions reduction target for 2020, beyond the current 20% emissions reductions compared to 1990 levels. They also want to see new measures to cut aviation and marine emissions. During a recent debate with the EU Commissioner for Climate in the same Committee on 7 November, MEPs called for bold EU action before Durban. These are wise words from MEPs. The Commissioner hears this and talked of finding a common ambitious global solution. The problem is that some EU member states, luckily not all, do not want bold action by the EU, nor for the EU to increase its climate target beyond 20% – for various reasons. But 20% is not enough[1]. And addressing climate change can have benefits to health, the environment and the economy. Acting now for a better Health Health co-benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as those from increasing the EU’s emissions reduction target from 20% to 30% compared to 1990 levels (a 10% increase), can save up to 30.5 billion Euros by 2020. These changes are mainly the result of improved air quality, which promote substantial improvements in respiratory and heart health. Reductions in healthcare costs can be an added incentive as several countries are struggling to balance their budgets and a healthier workforce can contribute to increasing productivity. No time to waste. This year will see the first ever Climate and Health Summit at an international climate change conference. The Summit, on December 4, co-organised by HCWH, and which HEAL is partner of, will take place parallel to the UNFCCC meetings at the Tropicana Hotel in Durban, South Africa. The event will bring key health sector actors from around the world together to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equity between and within nations. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate finance, healthcare sector contribution, health co-benefits and many others will feature. One of the outcomes of this Summit is to contribute to the negotiations taking place in Durban, not only by ensuring health representation, but also by making sure that key policy solutions from the Summit make their way to the Conference. Watch this space. Durban is not the end of the road, said the EU Commissioner for Climate. Indeed, in mid-next year we have the Rio+20 Summit and its ‘green economy’ agenda. Already the UNDP’s 2011 Human Development report highlights that health and income development in the so-called developing countries are hindered by inaction on climate change and environmental degradation and destruction. We have work to do! Please contact and join us. [1] IPPC (International Panel on Climate Change) 4th Assessment Report, 2007, IPCC recommendations: collective greenhouse gas emissions reductions by and within industrialised countries of 25-40% by 2020 from 1990 levels are needed to give only a 50-50 chance of limiting warming to 2 degrees. Learn more about: - HEAL's Delegation & Partners - HEAL's booth at the conference - HEAL in a Climate & Health side event - HEAL in the 1st Global Climate and Health Summit |
| 26/11/2011 | UNFCCC COP17/CMP7 HEAL Climate & Health Side Event Climate Change and Public Health: Healthy Climate, Healthy People, Healthy Economy This event addressed health in mitigation, adaptation and financing strategies and the role of the health sector in addressing climate change at local, national and global level. See press coverage from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Reporting Services at: www.iisd.ca/climate/cop17/enbots/8dece.html and www.iisd.ca/climate/cop17/enbots/pdf/enbots12108e.pdf When and Where: Thursday 8 December, 15h - 16:30; UN Conference Location: Apies River (during the UNFCCC COP17, in Durban) HEAL jointly organised a side event meeting on “Climate Change and Public Health: Healthy Climate, Healthy People, Healthy Economy”. Speakers will address health in relation to mitigation, adaptation and financing strategies, and the role of the health sector in addressing climate change at local, national and global level. The outcomes of the Global Climate and Health Summit will also be reviewed. Download the Preliminary Agenda here. Download all Side Events brochure here. |
| 26/11/2011 | UNFCCC COP17/CMP7 - Global Climate and Health Summit 5 December Media Advisory!! COP17 Press Conference: Health Leaders Call for Urgent Action on Climate When and Where: Sunday 4 December; Tropicana Hotel, 85 O R Tambo Parade, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal HEAL partnered in the first-ever Global Climate and Health Summit in Durban for the COP17 climate change talks, an event that had high-level representation by the WHO. The summit meeting brings together key health sector actors to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and to find solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equity between and within nations. Full details at: www.climateandhealthcare.org |
| 25/11/2011 | UNFCCC COP17/CMP7 HEAL Booth HEAL had a booth within the UNFCCC COP17 exhibit area for answering your questions and disseminating health and climate material from a wide array of health groups at Durban. One publication on feature is our 'Acting Now' report on what stronger climate action would do for health (url: www.env-health.org/actingnow). This joint report helps provide policy makers with important evidence on the health benefits of mitigating climate change. Sharing the booth with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), the outcome from the historic parallel Climate and Health Summit was presented. Find details on the location of the booth (number 36) here. |
| 21/11/2011 | UNFCCC COP17/CMP7 HEAL Delegation & Partners HEAL is very delighted to have again sent a delegation to the UN climate change negotiations in Durban (28 November - 9 December, 2011). Since HEAL’s participation in the Copenhagen Summit in 2009, considerable progress has been made in spreading the message on climate change impacts thanks to work by the WHO, many different countries and very active public, professional and academic groups - many of which represent the health community like HEAL. In Copenhagen, HEAL was one of only a very few other health representatives and groups with accredited delegations. Today in Durban, there are at least a dozen health-related groups taking part in the negotiations. HEAL’s delegation is represented by four very committed, talented and accomplished individuals. Below are their biographies. Dr. Hugh Edward Montgomery, University College London (UCL) Institute for Human Health & Performance Dr. Montgomery is Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London (UCL) as well as Director of the UCL Institute for Human Health & Performance. He is a co-founder of the UK Climate and Health Council, and sits on its Executive Board. He has published over 180 scientific articles (including on the topic of 'Nature'), delivered the 2007 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures and was a co-author of the UCL-Lancet Commission on Climate Change and Health. Dr Montgomery also is a London Leader in sustainability with the Greater London Authority (GLA). Contact information: University College London (UCL) Institute for Human Health & Performance Charterhouse Bdg, Archway Campus, Highgate Hill - 2nd floor London N19 5LW (UK) Tel: +44 (0)207 288 3891 ext 40840 Email: h.montgomery@ucl.ac.uk Juliet Anne Duff, Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA) Juliet is Chairperson for IDEA. After living and working for many years in East Africa, she began an investigation into the growing phenomenon of stress which she believes is major health threat. Through Juliet’s in-depth inquiry into the relationship between human health, stress and the environment she discovered an ecosystem’s approach to human health (Ecohealth) asking: “Can people stay healthy on a planet that is sick and getting sicker?” Her research has since lead her to attending and giving presentations on Ecohealth at international and national seminars and conferences, representing IDEA at local and national fora to inform on the impact of the environment and various industries/technologies on human health. Juliet also delivers lectures in Ecohealth at the University College Cork (UCC) through the Epidemiology and Public Health program as well as Environmental Health Education. Contact information: Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA) Glenville Park, Glenville Co. Cork, Ireland Tel. + 35 (0)32 1488 0474 Email: julietduff@eircom.net Web: www.ideaireland.org/index.htm Pendo Maro, Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL); Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Pendo is the joint HCWH/HEAL Senior Climate and Energy Advisor in Brussels. She has an extensive knowledge in European environmental policy integration, having worked with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) on the integration of environmental policy into policies such as the EU Sustainable Development Strategy, the Lisbon Strategy, environmental fiscal reform and use of market based instruments. Prior to her Brussels commitments, she worked in Indonesia as a consultant on deforestation and as an author and research fellow in South Africa. She has written on the EU Impact Assessment procedure and more recently published a book looking at the causes and consequences of land-use change in Lesotho. Dr. Pendo Maro holds a PhD in Environmental Change and Policy from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Contact information: Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) 28 Boulevard Charlemagne Brussels B1000 (BE) Tel: +32 (0)2 234 3642; +32 (0)2 503 4011; Email: pendo@env-health.org; pendo.maro@hcwh.org Web: www.env-health.org, www.noharm.org Elizabeth Alexandra Finch, University College London (UCL) Beth has recently completed a Masters in Global Health and Development at University College London (UCL), where she studied the impact of climate change on health with Professor Hugh Montgomery. Her interest in international development (largely from a political perspective) had inspired her to study with UCL because she felt health was key to tackling development issues. For Beth, the greatest threat to health is climate change. At undergraduate level she read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford. Since then, she has been convinced climate change is one of the most urgent issues for governments to tackle and eager to get involved in the climate change and health lobbying movement. Beth hopes to pursue a career in health policy with a focus on climate change and its related health and development issues. Contact information: University College London (UCL) 30 Guilford Street London WC1N 1EH (UK) Tel: +44 (0)20 7905 2889 ext 8272 2889 Email: eafinch@gmail.com HEAL's partners involved at Durban include: International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) Climate and Health Council (CHC) Health Care Without Harm – Europe (HCWH-E) World Health Organization (WHO) Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) WHO and GCCA work at COP17 can be read here. |
| 18/11/2011 | HEAL COP 17 partner work with WHO & GCCA The World Health Organization (WHO) will be in Durban, South Africa for COP 17 from November 28 to December 9, 2011, continuing to work with the international community to promote health within the climate change debate. At least 12 side events will touch on aspects of health and climate change ranging from improving support for health adaptation and health-promoting mitigation policies in UNFCCC and sustainable development negotiations; implementation of the African regional framework for health adaptation, and a "Climate and Health Summit" led by the NGO community. For more information on WHO's key messages, recommendations for the negotiations, and a list of health side events, please visit their website here. For any further information, please contact Marina Maiero - maierom@who.int, or Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum - campbelllendrumd@who.int. The Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) is also continuing to provide very powerful promotion of the work of non-governmental partners in the climate change process (website link), It has featured HEAL’s climate and health work in an interview with Genon Jensen, Executive director in the latest issue of tcktcktck newsletter. Read it here. |
| 17/11/2011 | HEAL at Durban for United Nations climate negotiations, COP17 Our message: What’s good for climate is good for health + the economy! The Health and Environment Alliance has a four-person delegation in Durban at the UNFCC conference, which brings together representatives of the world’s governments, international organizations and civil society. Just as at the UN climate talks in Barcelona, Copenhagen, and Cancun, our delegation is again pushing for a strong, binding climate change treaty to help protect our health. View HEAL's delegation and partners HEAL is involved in supporting three initiatives aimed at raising awareness on health and climate change. Climate and Health Summit - 4 December, 8h-19h30 Seminar on health and climate change (Side event) - 8 December, 15h-16h30 NB: Press conference to be held 5 December Conference Exhibit/Booth - Do visit us in Durban! We will be regularly updating you on news about HEAL@DURBAN as well as twittering all updates and conversations regarding progress at COP17. Please follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HealthandEnv - or keep visiting our website! |
| 10/11/2011 | HEAL staff interviewed in TV film “Citizens against cancer” Genon Jensen and Lisette van Vliet from HEAL are interviewed as representatives of citizens’ and scientists’ groups in the Swiss television documentary, “Les citoyens contre le cancer - Citizens against cancer", Temps Present, TSR, 2011 (available for viewing online, see below) as a result of HEAL’s work on Environmental Prevention of Cancer during the Paris Appeal Third International Congress. Indeed, for health environmentalists, many familiar faces appear in this heart-rending Swiss television documentary about citizens taking the fight against cancer into their own hands. Citizen scientist and cancer survivor, Sandra Steingraber of “Living Downstream” fame appears as does Erin Brokovich made famous by a cinema film, in which she is played by Julia Roberts, capturing her fight against industry water polluters in California. In Switzerland, it is the alarming figures on cancer rates that are prompting ordinary people to push their governments to do move to protect them from this epidemic. An estimated four Swiss national in every 10 will develop cancer during their lifetime. The film follows Christine who developed breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy at the age of 41 years. She says that four out of 12 girls in her class at school have the same condition. She wants to know whether the cancers might have been caused by the pesticide spraying or industrial emissions in the area where they all grew up. The film highlights some new and exciting citizens’ tactics. For example, Denis Camus (part of the Phyto-victimes network facilitated by HEAL member organisation, Generations Futures) is interviewed at this farm in France. He won recognition that his cancer was caused by exposure to pesticides by bringing the scientific evidence that the case should be given “the benefit of the doubt”. Another exciting approach to raising awareness is revealed in the touching story of a mother whose four-year-old daughter had died of brain cancer. She and other young women have had their heads shaved in solidarity with children with cancer. Her fundraising goes towards efforts to push the US government into doing more research into the environmental causes of cancer. Watch: "Les citoyens contre le cancer" (50-minute film in French but with several dialogues in English). It was screened in Switzerland on 6 October 2011 on prime time Swiss TV, and had a worldwide airing on TV5 subsequently. A copy of the DVD is also available at the HEAL office. |
| 10/11/2011 | Progress on first EU human biomonitoring project The European Union funded COPHES project, which is developing a framework for EU Human Biomonitoring (HBM), is holding a week of activities from 28 November to 2 December. HEAL will be participating and giving three presentations. HEAL will participate, and give 3 presentations in the sessions on HBM experiences in Europe; the workshop on HBM and Air Quality (Indoor & Outdoor); and the workshop on BPA, triclosan and parabens. For more information, please see the COPHES website, or contact Lisette@env-health.org. |
| 10/11/2011 | Submit Case Studies in Good Practice for Environmental Health of Children & Youth Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF ) toegether with HEAL are working to build examples of Good Practices on youth and children’s involvement in environment and health issues, following a project by the The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in cooperation with international organisations involved in the Health & Environment policy process. WECF and HEAL wish to hear from you on: How are Children & Youth working on environment and health issues in their schools, communities, sports associations and in policy processes? This follows up with the 5th Ministerial Health & Environment Conference in Parma, Italy, where Ministers of Health and Environment met and committed to increase engagement of children & youth in improving environmental health. Submit your case study to: karin.vohla@wecf.eu before Wednesday, 15th December 2011. Download submission information and concept form below. |
| 09/11/2011 | French national authority report prompts BPA ban in food contact materials Environment and health groups welcome the French National Assembly’s vote to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in all food contact materials from 2014. The decision, which now goes to the French Senate, followed the publication of a report by the French National Agency for Food Safety, Environment and Labour (ANSES). Environment and health groups welcome the French National Assembly’s vote to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in all food contact materials from 2014. The decision, which now goes to the French Senate, followed the publication of a report by the French National Agency for Food Safety, Environment and Labour (ANSES). The report stated that low dose exposure to BPA resulted in health effects in sensitive populations. Containers aimed at children under three will have to be BPA-free by the beginning of 2013 and all products should be labelled to warn sensitive populations of the potential dangers of exposure to the substance. The ANSES report on the health effects of BPA was published 27 September 2011. Crucially, the Agency had studied a wide range of research papers instead of limiting its review to those produced under the so-called Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). The report highlights health effects that have been proven in animals and suspected in humans, even at low levels of exposure. These effects may also depend greatly on individuals being exposed during different phases of their development, which means that it may be possible to identify categories of people who are particularly vulnerable to bisphenol A. The Agency considers that it now has enough scientific evidence to prioritise the prevention of exposure of the most susceptible populations, such as infants, young children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. This objective entails reducing exposure to bisphenol A, mainly by replacing it in the food contact materials that are the main source of exposure of these populations. In this context, the Agency is submitting the findings of its work for consultation and has called for contributions to be submitted by the end of November 2011 on any relevant scientific data concerning, in particular the available substitutes and their safety and effectiveness. HEAL member organisation in France, Reseau Environnement Sante was widely congratulated for the huge contribution it has made to awareness raising on this issue, and in ensuring the attention of policy makers was given to important non-GLP studies. Read the press release from RES (in French). HEAL welcomed the decision of the French Assembly as an important step for health protection. Since no national ban can be kept in the long term without agreement at EU level, if the vote is upheld in the French Senate, the issue of BPA in food contact materials must now be dealt with at the European level. A spokesman for the European Commission said the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was currently studying ANSES’ report and that EFSA was expected to respond before the end of the year or by the beginning of 2012. |
| 09/11/2011 | Ensuring good air quality outdoor and indoor Air pollution in Europe continues to be a massive public health problem, so it is good to see that air quality is receiving increased political attention. HEAL is part of a DG Environment stakeholder group, which has been formed as part of the review process of EU air policy. For the designated EU Year of Air 2013, HEAL and its members hope to see renewed political commitment at all levels to improve air quality for the benefit of European citizens, especially for the protection of those who are already suffering from bad air like asthma and allergy patients. HEAL and some of our members outlined priorities for the review process in a recent consultation, and there will be many more opportunities for the health community and citizens to give input in the coming months. We also continue to highlight the health benefits of cleaner air from an increased EU commitment to reducing GHG emissions, as part of our work on climate change and health (Read the Act NOW report for full details). We think this increased attention is also a key opportunity to tackle indoor air pollution. As Europeans spend most of their time indoors, their health and well-being is affected by many pollution sources in the indoor environment. EU legislation plays a major role for ensuring good indoor air, and there is an urgent need for an EU strategy on indoor air quality. HEAL therefore renews its call for an EU Green Paper on Indoor air quality, in order to comprehensively analyse the issues at stake and policy measures to take. Watch the HEAL interview for the European policy TV (EUX) on air quality following a recent stakeholder meeting. |
| 07/11/2011 | First-ever opportunity to comment on proposed ban of combined phthalates in products - by 12 December The European Chemicals Agency is conducting a public consultation on a proposed ban of certain articles containing a combination of four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP). This consultation is very important as it is the first proposal for a ban under REACH of several chemicals in certain consumer products due to their combined effects. Denmark proposed the ban due to their concern about the human exposure to these chemicals and their toxicity for reproduction (endocrine disruption; affect on testicular functions; disruption of sexual differentiation pre-birth). The proposed ban is for four phthalates, when one or more are present in articles intended for use indoors and articles that may come into direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes. Interested parties can see the documents and contribute comments (by scrolling to bottom of page) at: http://echa.europa.eu/reach/restriction/restrictions_under_consideration_en.asp We strongly encourage people to give comments, which can range from general (e.g. support of this proposed ban, and its combination scope); to comments on specific sections of the report (such as on the human and environmental hazards and risks), to giving data and assessments on exposure and impacts to health and the environment, such as human biomonitoring data, migration from articles, concentration in food, environment, indoor air, etc. HEAL will be submitting comments, and is interested to receive your input also. Please contact Lisette@env-health.org. Note: the public consultation finishes on 16 March 2012, but the Agency requests interested parties to comment by 12 December 2011, so that the committees can take up the comments in their first discussion in January 2012. |
| 07/11/2011 | Putting health on the climate change agenda HEAL is involved in supporting three initiatives aimed at raising awareness on health and climate change in the lead-up to the Durban climate change talks in November 2011. First, we are both signatory and promoting sign-up to the “Security and health statement”, which sets out the drastic consequences for health of climate change. On 17 October, leading doctors, security experts and non-governmental organizations including HEAL met in London at a conference on the health and security implications of climate change. As well as outlining the health impact, the meeting statement calls upon governments around the world to prioritise efforts to address the causes and impacts of climate change. It urges the European Union to unconditionally agree a target to cut emissions domestically by 30% by 2020, and to prepare further targets towards 2050 which would create incentives for a low-carbon transformation of the economy. Second, HEAL is organising a delegation for the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP17 meetings in Durban later this year. The event will be historic for health because it will include the first Global Climate and Health Summit, in which HEAL is a partner. This summit meeting aims to bring together key health sector actors to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and to find solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equity between and within nations. Find out more. This summit meeting aims to bring together key health sector actors to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and to find solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equity between and within nations. Register for the event here. Thirdly, the Global Campaign for Climate Action, which continues to provide very powerful promotion of the work of non-governmental partners in the climate change process, has featured HEAL’s climate and health work in an interview with Genon Jensen, Executive director in the latest issue of tcktcktck newsletter. Read it here. |
| 07/11/2011 | WHO European environmental health task force targets three international policy dialogues The first meeting of the high level WHO European Environment and Health Task Force (EEHTF) took place in Bled, Slovenia and HEAL provided expertise on chronic disease and environmental prevention, energy options and public health implications, climate and Sustainable Development. The EEHTF brings together representatives from Environment and Health ministries of the 53 WHO European region countries as well as stakeholders. Participants discussed ways to create a bigger place for environmental health in three current United Nations and other international processes, namely the UN Non-communicable diseases initiative, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations in Durban, and sustainable development in the run up to the Rio+20 conference and a list of priorities for the coming years. The evidence and policy options from different countries on addressing some of the persisting environment and health issues, such as ensuring access to safe water and sanitation and eliminating asbestos-related diseases were discussed. Countries also agreed to work closely on developing a set of progress indicators to see how well they are reaching the Parma time bound goals for a number of important children’s environmental health targets. These indicators will also support the new WHO European policy for health, Health 2020. HEAL, which is a full member of the EEHTF representing public interest and professional groups from the health community, provided interventions on a number of topics. We highlighted ways to better leverage the newly created European Environment and Health Ministerial Board and ensure that the yearly summits of the board are effectively linked to timely environmental health issues and policy issues, as well as increasing communication and tools for the EEHTF to promote environment and health issues in their spheres. Other HEAL interventions focused on: Making reduction of environmental exposures part of the chronic disease agenda Energy and health evidence, fracking and climate change opportunities Making health central to RIO+20 process Youth participation in the environment and health process The meeting also discussed the roles of the two bodies responsible for driving and implementing the WHO Environment and Health process in Europe (EEHP): the EHMB and the EEHTF. The European Environment and Health Ministerial Board (EHMB) is the political face and driving force of international policies for implementing Parma commitments and is currently composed of four health ministers and four environment ministers as well as intergovernmental organisations. The European Environment and Health Task Force (EEHTF) is the leading international body for implementing and monitoring EEHP and is comprised of officials from national environment and health structures in the 53 countries, as well as NGOs, IGOs and industry. |
| 19/10/2011 | IDEA takes HEAL to Durban and Kenya Juliet Duff, Irish Doctors Environmental Association - IDEA will represent HEAL at the climate change talks in Durban later this year (COP 17, 28 November - 9 December 2011). We've published Juliet’s personal tribute to Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan tree-planting ecologist who died of cancer on 25 September 2011. Juliet links the combat of Wangari to that of Teresa Treacy, an Irish farmer who is currently in prison in Ireland as a result of her struggle to protect trees. In the spirit of Wangari Maathai Ironically, Teresa Treacy, a 65 year-old woman sits a prison in an Irish jail as Wangari Maathai is laid to rest in her native country in Africa. She is considered a national and international hero. Wangari was the courageous woman who made international fame over 20 years ago through her peaceful but “illegal” attempts to halt the destruction of trees, forests and natural heritage for the sake of development in Kenya. Why did her subsequent imprisonments and abuse move so many people across the world and win her the Nobel Peace Prize? Because she stood up for what every one of us knows in our hearts is right. She was willing to sacrifice her life to protect one of Earth’s major living systems from the growing assault launched by a misguided perception of “development” and “economic growth”. She began the Green Belt Movement that spread worldwide to protect the environment and promote good governance and cultures of peace. The hope was that, among other things, women & men would no longer be threatened with imprisonment for protecting the Earth’s natural heritage. Now decades after her initial imprisonment, we have a courageous Irish woman languishing in Mountjoy Prison for protecting her own trees on her property, from assault. Teresa, who shares a farm with her sister in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, has spent many years planting and managing native Irish trees in order to maintain and improve the natural habitats that her land provides. But the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) intend to erect high voltage power lines over and across her land and she refuses to allow it. She did not agree to the large monetary compensation offered. Despite Wangari’s worldwide recognition, business remains as usual. This ever-increasing systematic attack on our planet’s natural resources and biodiversity is fundamentally disrupting the Earth’s capacity to maintain the dynamic and finely tuned balance that sustains life, as we know it. Around the world there are increasing numbers of international meetings trying to deal with the current global crises and the pending disasters they will cause. Taxpayers are paying for them to try to protect us from the fallout. Yet, the source of most of these crises is precisely to be found in the business as usual – unsustainable development that compromises future life, as we know it, on the planet. Our current global economic model is incapacitating Nature’s life supporting systems. This is not a question of evolution this is a question of a misguided perception which breeds greed, fear and conflict. Natural resources are dwindling. Drinking water is being abused at such a rate that it is becoming the next commodity for privatisation. The loss of species has become so extreme now that keystone species (species that play a critical role in sustaining an ecosystem, eg. bees) are under threat. Toxic chemicals and technologies that pollute water, air and soil are affecting human health on an unprecedented scale, (including cancers, chronic diseases/conditions and allergies). GM food crops now threaten Ireland’s ecosystems, our health, and food sovereignty. And recently, in Lough Allen and Clare Basin regions, there have been exploration licences granted for hydraulic fracturing or Fracking, one of the most destructive and polluting technologies developed to extract natural resources. Many people, including world leaders, now publicly say that the survival of the human race is at stake. The alarm bells are already ringing. What will it take for us to wake up and realize what we are doing? - Juliet Duff, Irish Doctors Environmental Association, IDEA |
| 19/10/2011 | Bisphenol A: French efforts should serve Europe! HEAL member RES welcomes the almost unanimous vote [1] of MPs to ban bisphenol A in food contact materials. This should significantly reduce our daily exposure to this endocrine disruptor [2] and, thus, help reduce the poisoning of the fetus via maternal contamination. We have now increasing evidence to support that exposure during pregnancy may cause serious health effects in childhood and in adulthood (cancer, diabetes, obesity, reproductive disorders and behavior). All eyes should now turn to the European scene where the EC institutions can not be distinguished by their proactive efforts on the issues of endocrine disruptors. For André Cicolella, spokesman for the RES, it is firstly the credibility of the European Food Safety Agency, EFSA, which is challenged: "EFSA can not continue to deny the reality of scientific knowledge and maintain a Acceptable Daily Intake, which does not consider hundreds of studies showing effects at low doses. If, this attitude should continue, the European institutions will have to seriously investigate the conduct and ethics of the expertise within the EFSA." "After the ban on BPA baby bottles and the pending adoption of a law banning three groups of endocrine disrupting chemicals (alkylphenols, phthalates and parabens), today's vote puts the French government in position and duty to change the position of the European Commission " comments RES campaigner Yannick Vicaire. "France should inspire the dynamic that is lacking at the European level by bringing together other member states to work towards an urgent global response to the issues of endocrine disruptors." Contrary to the claims of manufacturers, alternatives to BPA are already marketed. The RES has published a note on this issue [3]. In particular, a U.S. Eden Foods (http://www.edenfoods.com/) uses a BPA-free process since April 1999. In addition, the State of Connecticut has decided to ban BPA in food containers reusable in June 2010 and this measure came into force on 1 October 2011. This shows that the implementation can be done very quickly. The law adopted today by the Parliament is the first step in reducing exposure to BPA. It is urgent that the French agency, ANSES, identifies other sources, including food, likely to be priorities in terms of exposure for the general population or for specific professional sectors: medical equipment, musical instruments, thermal papers, coatings of water pipes or wine tanks, etc.. The ANSES also needs to better characterize the indirect environmental exposure, especially through food (fish and shellfish) or indoor air pollution. NOTES: [1] 2 votes against 348 votes cast on [2] The study of the Breast Cancer Fund has shown that a diet which eliminates "intentional" sources of BPA led within days to a reduction of more than half the level of BPA detected in urine. http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1003170 [3] Overview of the available alternatives to Bisphenol A in food contact materials http://reseau-environnement-sante.fr/?p=3019 Read official Press Statement (in French) at: http://reseau-environnement-sante.fr/ |
| 19/10/2011 | ISEE 2011: science to policy on environmental health research The 23rd International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) Conference was held 13-16 September in Barcelona and brought together over a thousand researchers, health experts and stakeholders to discuss the latest evidence on health impacts of environmental pollution. HEAL’s Toxics Policy Advisor, Lisette van Vliet gave a presentation on “The role of non-governmental organizations in promoting occupational and environmental carcinogen regulation” within the symposium on Scientific Inference and Public Policy which was chaired by Richard Clapp, Boston University School of Public Health, USA. The aim of the symposium was for considering the epidemiologic evidence required to support environmental and occupational cancer prevention policies. The role of scientists in governmental and non-governmental organizations was discussed, with particular emphasis on the REACH program in the EU and the recommendations of the President’s Cancer Panel in the US. Presentations also examined past approaches and future research needs to support protective public health policies. More details at: http://www.isee2011.org/files/Scientific%20Inference%20and%20public___.pdf |
| 19/10/2011 | EP’s ENVI Committee gives push for health & environment protection for new EU biocides law On 4 October, the EP’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted its recommendations for the 2nd reading of the new EU biocides law. The vote was crucial, as it forms the basis for negotiations of the European Parliament with EU Member States in the Council (which will start mid October). HEAL together with other health & environment groups sent joint NGO recommendations for EP ENVI considerations and spoke to many MEPs before the vote about the need to strengthen the draft law for better health and environment protection. Specifically we voiced our concerns on the foreseen exemptions to the exclusion of hazardous biocides from authorisation, we demanded an alignment of rules for endocrine disruptors with those of the pesticides regulation, the inclusion of developmental neurotox and immunotox biocides in the candidates for substitution and that the new proposal adequately addresses emerging health challenges of biocides mixtures and nano biocides. A key point for the discussion will also be the rights of EU member states to decide on biocidal products approval on their territory, as well as to ensure that harmonised EU measures for the sustainable use of biocides are brought on their way. HEAL thinks the ENVI recommendations are a good basis for the upcoming negotiations and will continue to voice the environmental health concerns with both the European Parliament and Council. The adoption of the new law is foreseen for January 2012. View the full recommendations here |
| 19/10/2011 | Bedroom dust used to urge EU to act more urgently on REACH An analysis of dust samples is being used to urge faster action on EDCs in REACH. The dust has been vacuumed up from underneath beds around the world in a project carried out by ChemSec and other NGOs. The aim is to prompt the European Commission and every EU member state to speed up the process and nominate EDCs to the REACH Candidate List. They also want companies to take the initiative to phase out EDCs in their products before these chemicals are decided upon in REACH. HEAL Toxics Policy Advisor, Lisette van Vliet, put her vacuum cleaner to work under a bed in Belgium where a couple and their new baby live. The sample collected in Belgium had high levels of nonylphenol compared to the other samples collected. Nonylphenol is a substance which is considered to be an endocrine disruptor because of its ability to mimic estrogen and in turn disrupt the natural balance of hormones in affected organisms. Nonylphenol has already been restricted in the EU but it is clearly still contaminating indoor environments. "This illustrates that REACH is not doing enough to ensure that chemicals which have already been restricted in the EU are kept out of our homes," Ms van Vliet added. Read full Press Statement here. |
| 19/10/2011 | Bringing the health co-benefits message to Poland As part of our efforts to raise awareness on the health benefits of a more ambitious EU GHG reduction target and policy change, Pendo Maro, HEAL/HCWH Senior Climate and Energy advisor, as well as Christina Reinards, Campaigns and Communication Officer, went to Poland for a series of high-level meetings. The groundbreaking report “Acting NOW for better health” published by HEAL and HCWH in 2010 shows that by going to a -30% reduction target for the EU for 2020, health benefits of up to 30,5 billion EUR per year could be reaped because of cleaner air. It is estimated that for Poland the public health benefits could be up to 4 billion EUR per year. For the occasion, the report was translated to Polish and a joint press release on fewer carbon emissions was released. The HEAL team met with representatives of the Polish ministry of economy and the ministry of health. Representatives there welcomed the HEAL/HCWH report and underlined that the figures provided by the report are important as they are very helpful in communicating the health climate change issue. In the same week Pendo also gave a presentation on “Moving beyond 20%: Benefits and possibilities in the European Union”, at a conference held in Poznan on “Effectively and ecologically. Implementation of energy efficiency projects in healthcare.” More details on the conference at http://www.szpitalrawicz.pl/lcb-healthcare/conference. HEAL would like to thank the Secretariat of the Climate Coalition for the Polish Ecological Club Mazovian Branch, together with WWF Poland, CEE Bankwatch and others who also assisted in these meetings. Download Polish version of HEAL´s “Acting NOW for better health" Download joint Press Release on call for fewer carbon emissions |
| 19/10/2011 | Seminar: Health and Environmental implications of Shale Fracturing for Natural Gas HEAL’s European efforts to raise awareness about the potential harm to health from hydraulic fracturing of shale gas includes the need for a precautionary approach. Last year, the health and environmental implications were prompted by a call from a leading international environmental health scientist, Sandra Steingraber in her speech to the European Parliament together with HEAL. At the HEAL seminar in Brussels on 7 October, Lisette van Vliet gave a presentation on health and fracking. Participants also heard from a European Commission expert and about the experience in France where licenses for fracking are being revoked. HEAL and its members are calling better health and environmental impact assessment and greater public consultation on fracking. The seminar also included a presentation by Francios Veillerete, President of Generation Futures (formerly MDRGF) who discussed the work in his latest book with Marine Jobet entitled La vraie scandale de gaz de schiste (The real scandal of shale gas). His concerns can be summed up as "the use of dangerous chemical substances, contamination of groundwater, consumption of a large amount of water, and destruction of the landscape.” View the press release about the seminar |
| 19/10/2011 | Documentary "Notre Poison quotidien" screening at HEAL The first-ever English language version of the hard-hitting film "Our Daily Poison" by leading investigative journalist Marie-Monique Robin took place at HEAL on 6 October. Some of the issues raised in the film are very topical in Europe, which prompted a lively discussion with the film maker after the screening. One key issue discussed is the need to widen the peer reviewed science for risk assessment beyond Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) studies, which mainly represent industry research. French agency ANSES has recently used studies other than those following GLP in a review of the safety of BPA. The findings have led to an immediate response from French government to ban BPA in all food packaging by 1 January 2014. The bill is supported by French ministers of health and will be voted in the National Assembly on 12 October. The film also highlights the need for a new paradigm in the assessment of chemical risks that takes into account both low-dose and cocktail effects. It was shown in San Francisco on 18 October 2011. View invitation to HEAL screening with links to further information about the film here. |
| 19/10/2011 | EU Health Commissioner talks "environment" at UN chronic disease summit HEAL welcomed that European Health Commissioner John Dalli highlighted that "underlying economic, social and environmental factors" need to be addressed when tackling chronic diseases. Commissioner Dalli took part in the UN summit on chronic, non-communicable diseases in September 2011, where high-level representatives agreed on a way forward to counter the rise of chronic diseases such as cancer, respiratory diseases, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes. However, the real test will be whether or not the EU takes this on board when it develops future action plans and legislative reforms, and how widely it consults within and outside the health sector. Prior to the meeting, HEAL had addressed an open letter to Commissioner Dalli on the need to include “environment” as the fifth factor in chronic disease causation and joined the call in signing an additional open letter to Ban Ki-Moon and Margret Chan sent by over a hundred NGO and experts worldwide for an inclusion of environmental concerns in the summit’s outcome. Genon Jensen, HEAL’s Executive director, described the basis for HEAL's position in an article published in a special issue of the European Parliament magazine, which was distributed at the EU Health Forum, a major stakeholder conference which takes place in Gastein, Austria each year. The EP adopted a resolution on chronic diseases also urging the inclusion of environmental factors. HEAL's next step is to take this issue to the WHO European Environment and Health Task Force meeting end October 2011. Read HEAL's open letter to Commissioner Dalli Read HEAL's press release about bringing "environment" to UN chronic disease summit Read HEAL's fact sheet - Chronic disease and environment Read Open letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the World Health Organization Director General Dr Margaret Chan |
| 19/10/2011 | HEAL Annual General Meeting (AGM) – a success! On 6 and 7 October, HEAL brought together its members in Brussels for the Annual General Assembly 2011. The AGA voted in thirteen new not-for-profit groups as members of our network. This brings our total membership to over 70 international, European and national networks and organisations. Members also adopted key proposals for the future development of the organisation, including a strategic action plan until 2015, and discussed a number of key environment and health topics. On the evening of 6 Oct, we screened the first-ever English language version of the highly-acclaimed film Notre Poison quotidien” (Our Daily Poison) by leading investigative journalist and film maker Marie-Monique Robin, who afterwards answered questions from the floor. She told the meeting that one of the calls made by the film on chemical risk assessment had been taken up by the French agency, ANSES, which has recently taken into account studies other than those conforming with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), which are mainly industry studies. The next morning, a HEAL seminar on the health and environmental implications of shale gas fracturing included presentations by the European Commission; a case study from France and from HEAL and was followed by a discussion with members and other interested NGOs. The outcome was a call by HEAL for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in EU member states and urgent revisions to EU laws to protect public health. |
| 14/10/2011 | First Global Climate and Health Summit The first Global Climate and Health Summit is to take place parallel to the COP 17 climate negotiations. It aims to bring together key health sector actors to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equity between and within nations. HEAL is one of the partners for the conference. For more information and to register click here. Venue: Tropicana Hotel (85 OR Tambo Parade, 4001 Durban) |
| 13/07/2011 | Climate change: Missed opportunities to increase the EU’s commitment Environment and health groups have been left disappointed by failure of EU member states and the European Parliament (EP) to support a move beyond a 20% EU GHG emissions reduction target to start reaping the health benefits for Europeans. In early July, the EP voted on the own-initiative report by Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout on “Moving beyond the 20% GHG emission reduction target”. While the vote in the EP’s Environment, Public Health and Food safety (ENVI) committee given some weeks earlier had supported the call for a 30% reductions target, this demand did not get the support from all MEPs in the plenary and the report was ultimately rejected. Meanwhile, a decision on the EU low-carbon 2050 roadmap by EU environment ministers showed there is still no majority for a move to -30% by 2020, even though many EU member states have expressed they are in support for it. Prior to all votes, HEAL and its members and medical professionals in many EU countries wrote letters to the Environment Ministers and MEPs urging them to vote in support of an unconditional move to 30% less greenhouse gases by 2020. The letters highlighted the radical improvements to public health and saving to healthcare budgets from a 30% emissions reduction target. HEAL used the findings from our 2010 report, "Acting Now for Better Health: a 30% reduction target for EU climate policy", have been used by many policy makers. |
| 13/07/2011 | EU runs public consultation on Toxicity and Assessment of Chemical Mixtures HEAL will be responding to the EU public consultation on the preliminary opinion concerning Toxicity and Assessment of Chemical Mixtures, and encourages CHE science partners to widely disseminate this opportunity to provide input into how the EU will ensure that its chemicals' legislation takes proper account of the latest scientific information on mixture toxicity. The deadline to submit comments is 9 September 2011. Enter comments and learn more details here. |
| 13/07/2011 | Health insurance group takes up environmental health The International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) represents an important voice in discussions on the social economy and universal access to health care, including access to health information. In a strategic partnership AIM will now be working with HEAL to improve prevention of chronic diseases caused, or facilitated, by environmental factors. This stems from their commitment to promoting the understanding and prevention of environmental effects on public health and to facilitating mutual benefit groups’ participation in policies concerning environmental health. Some national mutual groups and societies that are members of AIM are already working on environment and health matters. For example, in France, the Mutuelle Familiale and the National Federation (Fédération Nationale de la Mutualité Française) have signed a partnership agreement with Réseau Santé Environnement (RES), a HEAL member organisation, to collaborate on environmental health projects. Additionally, a group of Belgian mutual societies have founded a working group on environmental health and produced a brochure on the subject for their members (in French, Dutch and English coming soon). View more details in HEAL’s Information Release. |
| 13/07/2011 | Indoor air pollution and health in Europe remains on the agenda HEAL is one of the stakeholder representatives in the European Commission Directorate General for Health and Consumer Policy (DG SANCO) led indoor air quality expert group. The group shares best practice and information on indoor air quality and advises and provides opinion on policy actions to reduce indoor air pollution. The Belgian EU presidency in 2010 held several meetings on EU policy and indoor air quality, and the June indoor air quality expert group meeting has shown that indoor air pollution continues to be of great concern for the health community, EU member states and the European Commission DG SANCO. Many HEAL members and other organisations are currently involved in the SINPHONIE project on indoor pollution and health impacts in schools. Over the next months, 36 institutions from 25 countries will carry out measuring and health assessment in schools with a view to defining recommendations on how to reduce pollution in the school environment. As a member of SINPHONIE’s advisory committee, HEAL will provide guidance on how to best integrate these scientific findings into EU policy. The first EU Action Plan on Environment and Health (EHAP) has provided for a wealth of information on sources of indoor air pollution and health impacts through dedicated EU research funding; and projects are still ongoing. These and other results (for example the WHO indoor air quality guidelines) show that it is high time to establish an EU framework on indoor air quality and as a first step publish a Green Paper. |
| 13/07/2011 | Health impacts of nanotechnology: opportunities and risks On 7 and 8 May HEAL member EUROPAEM, the European Academy for Environmental Medicine held its international congress on health impacts of nanotechnology – opportunities and risks. Over 80 participants gathered – environmental health practioners, patients and experts to hear a wide range of presentations including the President of the German government’s nano commission, the WHO assessment of nanotechnology and researchers working on using nanotechnology in medicinal diagnosis and treatment. The comprehensive presentations and discussions confirmed that there is an urgent need for policy actions to make sure nanoparticles do not harm our health and environment. Many uncertainties on nanotechnology exist. To date, there is not even an international agreement on how “nano” is defined. Uncertainty also exists over the role of chronic, low-dose exposure of nanoparticles over a lifetime may be playing in certain diseases, or in impacting human reproduction. Experts agreed that research funding on health risk and safety aspects of nanotechnology should be increased significantly. HEAL believes that products with nanoparticles should only be allowed on the market when their safety for health+environment is proven, and products should be subject to comprehensive labelling. A DVD with all conference presentations and the discussions can be ordered through EUROPAEM: http://europaem.eu/1_about_academy.html |
| 13/07/2011 | Policy Debate: public health and the Common Agricultural Policy On June 16th 2011, European Public Health and Agriculture Consortium (EPHAC), with support from HEAL member European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), held a policy debate on the role of public health in the Common Agricultural Policy. The event was held in the European Parliament and hosted by Oana Elena Antonescu MEP, with participation of EU Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Ciolos, EU Commissioner for Health John Dalli, and WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab. The debate focused on the the importance of the role of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) in tackling chronic diseases and inequalities in health. Given that the main drivers of inequalities in health lie outside the control of traditional health sector, full and meaningful participation from the non-health sectors such as agriculture, environment, employment, and social policy is needed. The debate aimed to raise constructive discussions and ideas for policies and instruments that create synergies between agriculture and public health for cross-sectorally beneficial trade-offs. For more information contact Dorota Sienkiewicz at dorota(at)epha.org or visit www.epha.org/a/4601. |
| 13/07/2011 | Mediator: Discussing the assessment and control of medicines in France André Cicolella of Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) and a member of HEAL’s executive committee took part in a discussion on the assessment and control of medicines with the French Committee on Social Affairs and Joint Mission for Mediator Information. View the video of presentation here: http://videos.senat.fr/video/videos/2011/video9100.html |
| 13/07/2011 | Stop + go: Phase out nuclear, promote renewables Stop + go: Phase out nuclear, promote renewables The platform and petition in support of renewable energy that HEAL member Inter Environnement Wallonie has started, together with Greenpeace Belgium, Bond Beter Leefmilieu and WWF Belgium has received overwhelming support from organizations and individuals. With Stop+go, organizations and individuals can easily voice their support for the call to enforce Belgian law and close down the three oldest reactors by 2015. The campaign also calls for urgently agreeing a long-term vision on replacing nuclear, and moving towards the goal of 100% renewables in 2015. Further information at www.nucleaire-stop.be |
| 13/07/2011 | French Parliament calls for urgent evaluation of aspartame Le quotidian du medecin recently highlighted that 3 MPs are calling for the immediate re-evaluation of aspartame. Two HEAL members, Réseau environnement santé (RES) and Générations futures, along with these MPs have organised a joint press conference with French National Assembly members to highlight their concerns over how aspartame is regulated. In the statement they say: “The daily intake level this additive is based on non published studies that are no longer accessible… ». Read more at www.lequotidiendumedecin.fr. |
| 13/07/2011 | WECF France publish guide for expectant mothers Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) in France have just published a new guide (in French) on health, cosmetics, pregancy and hazardous substances. It explains how how to choose cosmetics in terms of which ones are suitable for a pregnant woman that won’t harm the health of her child. Download the guide at www.projetnesting.fr |
| 12/07/2011 | EU runs public consultation on Toxicity and Assessment of Chemical Mixtures HEAL will be responding to the EU public consultation on the preliminary opinion concerning Toxicity and Assessment of Chemical Mixtures, and encourages CHE science partners to widely disseminate this opportunity to provide input into how the EU will ensure that its chemicals' legislation takes proper account of the latest scientific information on mixture toxicity. The deadline to submit comments is 9 September 2011. Enter comments and learn more details here. |
| 12/07/2011 | Groups call for public research to benefit society, not big business The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has joined other public interest groups calling for social, political, economic and environmental issues to be properly addressed in future EU research and innovation (R&I) funding, following the European Commission Green Paper “Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation funding”". Nearly 100 groups from 22 European countries signed on to an Open Letter on Public Research should benefit Society, not Big Business to the European Commission, European Parliament and national governments. Many of HEAL’s members and partners supported this letter as well as the related Press Release. |
| 12/07/2011 | Emerging public debate on health and environment impacts of fracking In Europe, the public debate on fracturing shale gas and oil is finally gaining momentum, following the many concerns voiced from the health and environment community about the implications of this new technology. A highly influential member of the European Parliament, MEP Jo Leinen, has just proposed to introduce an EU law on energy quality. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is very pleased to hear of this proposal to tackle shale gas and oil fracturing. HEAL has been one of the first organisations to flag up the multi-faceted health & environment problems of fracturing in Europe, because of the concerns on its impact on air and water quality and the toxic chemicals involved, as well as the climate change implications. HEAL will be highlighting the health concerns surrounding shale gas at the meeting on 13th July on “Shale Gas Drilling and Underground Water - A Discussion” chaired by MEP Cristina Gutierrez-Cortines, President of the European Water Forum at the European Parliament in Brussels. The Industry, Research and Energy Committee of the European Parliament (ITRE) will also be holding a hearing on shale gas currently set for 5 October 2011 entitled "Prospects for shale gas in the EU" at the European Parliament in Brussels. Programme in development, visit the ITRE website for more details. |
| 12/07/2011 | UNFCCC Climate Change negotiations: doctors highlight health implications The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) was represented by Professor Hugh Montgomery, co-founder of the UK Climate & Health Council, at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) UN Climate Change Conference held this June in Bonn, Germany. Of the conclusions made on the global climate change talks, in Hugh’s blog he wrote: “It is absolutely clear that many delegates have somehow forgotten the urgency they profess to feel. We must find a way of communicating with them once again- hoping that passion may once again fuel politics.” View UNFCC Climate Change conference presentations and webcasts here. Looking ahead, an upcoming conference on "The Health and Security Perspectives of Climate Change - How to secure our future wellbeing is taking place on 17 October 2011 at the BMA House in London, UK. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is one of the partners for this conference which will bring together high level climate, health and security specialists to discuss joined up strategies and policies for addressing this threat in the run up to the Durban Climate negotiations in December. As detailed on this conference’s website: “Climate change is the greatest current threat to public health. This is the view shared by Dr Margaret Chan, director general of WHO, and a growing number of the world’s health professionals. Less well known is the view of leading military experts - those working to prevent and manage conflicts around the world: that climate change is also the greatest future threat to security.” View programme and register for The Health and Security Perspectives of Climate Change conference at http://climatechange.bmj.com. |
| 30/06/2011 | Finnish health authority warns against wireless networks Recently, the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) has urged the public to restrict their children’s mobile phone use. The authority is now also warning for the possible health effects of wireless networks, which cause exposure to potentially harmful emissions. “It would be good if the network base station were located as far away from people as possible,” says senior scientist Lauri Puranen of STUK. In 2007, the German Federal Government issued a similar warning. It recommended that the use of wireless networks in the workplace or at home should be avoided, if possible. In order to reduce personal radiation exposure, it is better to remain with conventional cable-connected networks. Also in 2007, Sir William Stewart, chairman of the British Health Protection Agency expressed his concern about the increasing use of wireless internet. The BBC’s investigative programme Panorama found that wi-fi networks can give off three times as much signal radiation as phone masts. More information: German Federal Government warns against WLAN-use (French, German) Danger on the airwaves: Is the Wi-Fi revolution a health time bomb? (The Independent, 22/04/2007) Analysis of Health and Environmental Effects of Wi-Fi Networks, by Professor Magda Havas Panorama documentary: WiFi - a warning signal (YouTube) |
| 07/05/2011 | First meeting of the WHO Europe Environment and Health Ministerial Board The 4th-5th May saw the first meeting of the new high-level E&H Ministerial Board (EHMB) in Paris, hosted by the French ministry of health. The board forms part of the WHO European Environment and Health process and the push to reduce the adverse health impact of environmental threats in Europe to give the process higher political profile. During the 2010 Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health representatives of the 53 countries in the WHO European Region pledged to reduce environmental threats to health. To keep the process on track and ensure that pledges are met, the EHMB was established, and a work plan and working methods were discussed. Details of this information are not yet public. The new board consists of: • 4 Health ministers: France, Malta, Serbia, Slovenia • 4 Environment ministers: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Romania, Turkey • WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab • Executive Secretary of UNECE • Director UNEP Regional Office for Europe • Representative from the EU Commission. There is also a new European Environment and Health Task Force EHTF, of which HEAL, EcoForum and others are members. The EHTF will be the leading body for implementation and monitoring of the European environment and health process. The first meeting will be held in September, and we’ll keep you updated when we have more news. WHO Environment and health Steering the process Ministers push environment and health commitments forward |
| 07/05/2011 | Calling for safe regulation of hormone disrupting chemicals HEAL, alongside a coalition of environment and health groups and trade unions, have called on the European Union to ensure the effective regulation of chemicals that damage the hormone (or endocrine) system to protect health and the environment. Evidence of the harmful effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on health, and especially of pre-natal effects as a result of parental exposure, is growing rapidly. Reducing exposure is increasingly seen as a key tool for preventing cancer and other chronic disease. Specifically, the groups call for a strategy to identify EDCs and to speed up control of EDCs to reduce exposure. Read more… The groups’ call was announced at the same time as the leading US non-profit health group, The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), released a revised list of Potential Endocrine Disruptors. The list details some 800 chemicals, each one has verified citations to published, accessible, primary scientific research demonstrating effects on the endocrine system. The new list will continue to be updated as new studies are published and prior research is uncovered for endocrine disruptors not yet on the list. Position Paper TEDX List |
| 07/05/2011 | Hormone disrupting chemicals targeted to prevent chronic disease in EU HEAL, alongside other non-governmental organisations have called on the European Union to rapidly review 22 endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals (EDCs) within the REACH legislation because of their effects on health. These chemicals are part of a new SIN (‘Substitute it now’) List 2.0 compiled by the International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) and supported by 11 independent, non-governmental organisations. The 22 chemicals are linked to cancer, diabetes, behavioural and attention deficit disorders, as well as impaired fertility. Many of these chemicals are commonly found in toys, food packaging, and cosmetics. This short list of chemicals is just a drop in the bucket and only focuses on an initial set which would fall under the REACH regulation. A much more extensive list of EDCs, some 800 substances, was released in May by the TEDx. - HEAL’s position on how EDCs or hormone disrupters should be regulated can be found in the joint position paper requirements for the proper regulation of hormone disruptors. Read the HEAL press release |
| 07/05/2011 | Experts gather to debate the future of EU noise policies On Wednesday 25th May, European and national policy makers, scientists, environment and health specialists and non-governmental groups met to discuss the future of EU noise policies. The well attended conference, organised by HEAL, Transport and Environment (T&E), and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), provided a platform to discuss the latest science on noise & health, road traffic noise and the future of EU noise policy. Anne Stauffer, Deputy Director of HEAL, closed the conference by emphasising that there is a continuous need for awareness raising of the health impacts of environmental noise and for further research, especially on combined effects of air pollution and noise. HEAL hopes that the new health evidence presented at the conference will be taken into account by policy makers in the upcoming decisions on EU vehicle noise and in the review of the EU Environmental Noise Directive. During the conference, Philippe Jean announced of the European Commission plan to tighten vehicle noise limits for cars, lorries and buses with a proposal expected before September 2011. HEAL and T&E welcomed the announcement but called for more ambitious standards, to reduce the impacts on health from traffic noise pollution. Philippe Jean, acting director of the European Commission’s Enterprise Department, told the conference that the Commission plans to cut noise emissions from cars by 4 decibels and from lorries by 3 decibels. The new limits would come into force within four years of a new Vehicle Noise Directive being agreed, he said. The conference’s second panel had three experts present the latest findings on the health impacts of environmental noise. Dr. Rokho Kim from the World Health Organisation WHO, Prof. Stephen Stansfeld from ENNAH, and Dr. Mette Sorensen from the Danish Institute for Cancer Epidemiology showed the numerous ways noise from transport and industry sources can impact adult’s and children’s health. The presentations made clear that environmental noise is a critical public health problem. On 6 July 2011, experts, researchers and policy makers will gather in Brussels to discuss specifically future research needs as part of the European Network on Noise and Health ENNAH final conference. View agenda and presentations here New publication - Quiet Please: Better health through strong EU regulation of road and rail traffic noise. |
| 07/05/2011 | Quiet please: The future of EU noise policies Organised by T&E, EEB and HEAL Wednesday 25th May, 13:00 - 18:00 European Economic and Social Committee Rue van Maerlant 2, Brussels Registration now closed - Available Presentations included below AGENDA 13:00 - Lunch 14:00 - Welcome T&E/EEB/HEAL and Luca Jahier, President, Civil Society Group, European Economic and Social Committee 14:00 - 15:00 - Panel 1: Policies for cost-effective road noise reduction Chair: Kathleen Van Brempt, MEP The forthcoming proposal for stricter vehicle noise standards: Philippe Jean, Director (acting), Internal market, DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission The Danish traffic noise reduction strategy: Brian Kristensen, Danish Environmental Protection Agency View from the regions: Piotr Gaudibert, External relations manager, BruitParif, Ile de France, Noise Observatory 15:00 - 16:00 - Panel 2: Health impacts from environmental noise Chair: Dr Miroslav Mikolášik, MEP Burden of disease from environmental noise: Dr Rok Ho Kim, WHO European Centre for Environment and Health View Presentation here Research needs for noise and health – the European Network for Noise and Health: Prof. Stephen Stansfeld, European Network on Noise and Health ENNAH View Presentation here Road traffic noise and cardiovascular health: Dr Mette Sørensen, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology View Presentation here 16:00 - 16:30 - Coffee break 16:30 - 17:30 - Panel 3: Managing environmental noise Chair: Michael Cramer, MEP The review of the environmental noise directive: Soledad Blanco, Director Sustainable Resources, DG Environment, European Commission Managing noise in the EU: current and upcoming challenges: Colin Nugent, European Environment Agency Managing noise at city level: Laura Zapata, Barcelona City Council View Presentation here 17:30 - Final discussion and concluding remarks Registration now closed |
| 19/04/2011 | HEAL produces new materials on environment and health HEAL has published new material on environment and health which consolidates our work from the past year, presents our political demands and outlines our position. The position paper and policy demands add to our push to bring the latest science to EU and national politicians, whilst raising awareness of the links between environmental factors and health among the medical and health community and the public. HEAL position paper – Preventing cancer through environmental policy change. Reducing exposure to environmental pollutants before birth and in childhood is particularly important because children’s bodies are more sensitive to damage. HEAL policy demands – Children’s health and the environment. Outlining the environmental health challenges for today’s children and listing required policy measures, including a global ban on mercury, changes in transport policy and deadlines and action plans to reduce chemicals exposure. Recent HEAL activity on environment and health: 3rd Paris Appeal International Congress; Children’s environment and health Health community puts environment first in cancer prevention – WHO Asturias Pledge Cancer and Environment Week 2010 Chemical Cocktails; harmful mixtures upset our hormones Chemicals Health Monitor "Sick of pesticides" campaign raises awareness of the health impacts of pesticides. |
| 19/04/2011 | Scientists’ Appeal on children’s environment and health 3rd Paris Appeal International Congress; Children’s health and the environment. 12 - 13 April 2011 at UNESCO, 125 avenue de Suffren, 75015 Paris 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. The 2011 congress focused on children’s health and environment sought to bring home the message to both policy-makers and the public about the urgency to act now. HEAL stressed the need for cutting exposure to harmful chemicals in order to better protect children. 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. This year, about two thirds of participants were paediatricians and health professionals, including general practitioners, midwives and nurses. Participants also included scientists, politicians, and representatives of international and governmental organisations and non-governmental organisations. Thirteen members of HEAL took part (see photos here), and many were featured as speakers throughout the programme. Speakers from around the world addressed the links between exposure to environmental pollutants in children and in utero with worrying trends in the rise of cancer, developmental problems and congenital abnormalities, declining fertility in young men, high rates of asthma and allergy; exposures covered included carcinogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals, electromagnetic fields, GMOs, and mercury, heaving metals and solvents. Génon Jensen, Executive Director of the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) gave a presentation that highlighted HEAL's work in analysing, promoting and disseminating latest findings of health and environment research to policy makers and other important groups, and the policy successes. She provided pointers on how participants at the Congress could become involved in the work of HEAL. Genon also took part in a press conference on the first day of the Congress, which resulted in the article pasted below by Agence France Presse, France's biggest news agency. Accompanying documents: HEAL press release: Protect children by cutting exposure to harmful chemicals HEAL Briefing: Children’s health and the environment HEAL position paper: Preventing cancer through environmental policy change Paris Appeal Programme HEAL campaigns, projects and materials: Cancer and Environment Week 2010 Chemical Cocktails; harmful mixtures upset our hormones Chemicals Health Monitor "Sick of pesticides" campaign raises awareness of the health impacts of pesticides. |
| 19/03/2011 | What’s good for climate is good for health and the economy: Message presented to European Parliamentarians HEAL’s recent findings on health ‘co-benefits’ from a stronger climate action was presented directly to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in a public hearing on climate change in Brussels on 28th February 2011. The European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety heard stakeholders’ and scientific views on "Moving beyond a 20% greenhouse gas reduction target in the EU" , in preparation for a report by Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout (Greens, Netherlands), which draws strongly on our report Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy. The hearing focused on greenhouse gas emissions reduction, with one panel dedicated to scientific assessment and carbon market analysis and another dedicated to climate policies from a business perspective and the benefits, including health. Genon Jensen, HEAL Executive Director, presented on the health co-benefits in the presence of the Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, MEP Jo Leinen (Socialists, Germany) and Chair of the Environment committee, a representative from WWF and others. The opportunities and challenges of moving beyond 20% greenhouse gas emission reductions, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Rapporteur: Bas Eickhout MEP. Agenda for the meeting. |
| 19/03/2011 | Health community puts environment first in cancer prevention The World Health Organization has put environmental and occupational factors in first place in the primary prevention of cancer with the launch of the Asturias Pledge. "Decreasing, and eventually eliminating the exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens is the most effective way to prevent a number of cancers," according to the World Health Organization in a press release following a meeting in Asturias, Spain, 17-18 March 2011. The Asturias Pledge represents an important milestone in developing international consensus on the primary prevention of cancer - stopping cancer before it starts by eliminating harmful exposures. Immediately prior to the meeting, HEAL issued a briefing on the role of environmental pollution in cancer causation. It also highlights the policy opportunities for reducing exposure. The pledge’s recognition of the importance of environmental and occupational exposures by medical and scientific experts and the WHO makes HEAL's call for specific EU and national targets - to reduce people’s exposure to cancer-related chemicals by half by 2020 - even more pertinent and urgent. HEAL is currently running a campaign to raise awareness of the links between cancer and the environment. We also aim to ensure that these links are fully recognised within the European Union’s chemicals laws and policies, such as REACH, pesticide and biocide legislation. |
| 19/02/2011 | 3rd Paris Appeal International Congress, 12 - 13 April 2011 Children’s health and the environment 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 |
| 07/01/2011 | Renewed hope for the EU’s environment and health action plan (EHAP) As 2010 came to a close, so too did the EU’s first Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP 2004 – 2010), an instrument that has added immense value in ensuring more targeted research on environmental impacts and health outcomes, and helped raise awareness on the environment's critical role in promoting people’s health. A further push for renewing the action plan came on the 20th December, when EU environment ministers called on the EU Commission to further promote health through environment policy and draw up a second EHAP as soon as possible. During a meeting of the environment council, EU environment ministers adopted a resolution that proposed some issues of focus for a second EHAP. These included translating science into policies, maintenance of a network and activities developed within the framework of the EU Environment and Health Strategy and its first EHAP, or taking up the priorities identified in the WHO Environment and Health Parma Declaration from March 2010 as well as nanomaterials, endocrine disruptors and chemicals mixtures. The resolution from environment ministers on the initiative of the Belgian Presidency of the EU, received wide-spread support from environment and health groups. In the past few months, the health and environment community, including researchers, has been advocating tirelessly with the European Commission and national environment and health ministries for a second EHAP, initially in the absence of any concrete steps from the European Commission to revive EHAP. In July 2010, representatives of the EU Open Health Forum, a large stakeholder and decision-maker gathering, supported the setting up of a 2nd EHAP. And in October, HEAL hosted a policy event during which the Belgian EU presidency re-iterated the call for a second EHAP in order to ensure environment and health concerns continue to receive EU policy priority. HEAL hopes that the Council resolution was the much needed push for all actors in the European Commission to start preparing a draft. HEAL's commitment to the call for a second EHAP reflects the concern of many NGOs, scientific networks and health groups, who see the EHAP as an opportunity for the EU to enhance its role in protecting health through environmental policy. HEAL will be working with representatives of the current Hungarian presidency ion their follow-up of a second EHAP. We shall also continue to call on the EU Commission for a proposal that can move the Council resolution and reflect the health and environment community’s concerns . |
| 07/12/2010 | Groups continue to push for a second environment and health action plan Health and environment groups attended the November launch of the European Environment Agency’s State of the Environment Report (SOE), the environmental analysis of the European Union updated every five years, in the European Parliament. HEAL welcomed the inclusion in the 2010 report of a chapter on environment and health, and particularly the mention of the dangers to health caused by exposure to combinations of chemicals, or “chemical cocktails”. During the launch Lisette van Vliet, HEAL’s Toxic Policy Advisor, asked the EU Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potocnik , if this new focus in the SOE reflected a potential re-newed push for creating a second EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP). Commissioner Potocnik’s answered that whilst he did not resist the creation of a second EHAP, limited resources in DG Environment necessitated focus on the Common Agriculture Policy and financial systems ahead of environment and health. However, he did go on to say that he would discuss that matter with the Commissioner for Health, John Dalli, to establish a way forward. The current EHAP, which runs out at the end of this year, provided powerful evidence of the significance of environmental impacts on human health. HEAL and our members continue to call for a second EHAP. I, in October we hosted a policy event to discuss the future of the EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP). We have worked closely with the Belgian Presidency of the EU to establish different methods for continuing the EHAP, we look forward to working with the incoming Hungarian Presidency to help further this work. |
| 07/12/2010 | HEAL at CANCUN: Putting health at the centre of global climate talks EU health delegation at UNFCCC COP 16, CANCUN, MEXICO (29 November - 5 December 2010) Climate change threatens the basic elements of life such as access to food, water, shelter and clean air - which in turn severely impacts human health. The good news is that action to mitigate climate change can improve public health: an important message for negotiators in Cancun. The HEAL delegation at Cancun brought together high level medical professionals to bring the voice of the health community into the negotiations. Our delegation sought to highlight that reducing greenhouse gasses is good for the climate, national economies and peoples’ health. Findings from our report, Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy were presented at a key World Health Organization meeting in Cancun and used extensively in health policy discussions during the talks. Two European Commissioners are now known to support the report. When our delegation met with Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, she said she knew and liked it very much and, during a meeting with MEP Jo Leinen in Cancun, we learnt that Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnikc made reference to the report in one of their meetings! After two weeks of negotiations in Cancun, it seems that global leaders finally formed an agreement which takes significant steps towards a safer climate. Whilst there is no deal yet and much work still to do, hopefully these discussions will form the foundations of an agreement to be at the next Conference of parties held in Durban next year. Our climate and health partners in Cancun included Health Care Without Harm, the Climate and Health Council, Standing Committee Of European Doctors, International Society of Doctors for the Environment and the International Federation of Medical Students, as well as a very strong presence from the World Health Organization. HEAL’s health delegation activities in Cancun: FRIDAY, 10TH DECEMBER Climate Change TV: Hugh Montgomery of University College London gives his thoughts on the COP16 Climate Talks and the relationship between climate and health. THURSDAY, 9TH DECEMBER Climate Change TV Michael Wilks, former President of the Standing Committee of European Doctors and Pendo Maro, Senior Climate and Energy Advisor at HEAL and Health Care Without Harm talk about how investment in reducing greenhouse gases produces immediate and lasting benefits to health. WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER Health delegation letter to UNFCCC National focal points and the EU MEP delegation. Signed by HEAL, HCWH and Climate and Health Council, the letter highlighted the numerous benefits to health (and healthcare costs) which mitigation polices will bring. Read the letter here: What’s good for climate change is good for health AND the economy Michael Wilks: BMJ blog – Climate change and health – time for a new narrative. Dr. Michael Wilks, an integral part of HEAL’s health delegation at Cancun writes an article for the British Medical Journal’s blog. “What those of us at Cancún are trying to do is to emphasise a benefit of action to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) – a “co-benefit” that improves health and reduces healthcare costs...” TUESDAY 7TH DECEMBER HEAL launched new country figures showing massive health benefits from higher climate change targets. On the back of our ground-breaking report, Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy, which includes figures on health benefits for Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, HEAL released new figures for Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary , Portugal, Romania and Slovakia. Health and Fiscal Co-benefits of Emissions Reductions: Summary for Negotiators. HEAL, the Climate and Health Council and Health Care Without Harm Europe, presented a one page briefing for negotiators on climate in Cancun which outlines the health and fiscal co-benefits of carbon emissions reductions. Lyn Wilson (SeaTrust International) and Pastor Peters Omoragbon (Nurses Across Borders) discuss the Health Coalition coming out of Copenhagen. Their mandate is to reach out to all professionals working in the industry to look at how climate change in impacting health. Watch the interview... CPME Press release: The medical profession urges to focus on sustainable prophylactic policies to secure global health. MONDAY 6TH DECEMBER Health Day at Cancun – Time to Act is Now. HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe released the Climate and Health Statement at a World Health Organization side-event meeting. Dr. Michael Wilks, part of HEAL’s EU delegation, presented the Statement to delegates. Cancun Health Statement: Climate Change and Health, The Time to Act is Now Signed by Leaders from international medical and health organisations, the Statement asks negotiators to take into account the significant health concerns and to recognise that reducing greenhouse gasses is not only good for the climate but also for peoples' health and national economies. - Message to Negotiators at Cancun: Health Day at COP16 - Doctors say: Don’t Forget the Health Dividend - Message to EU delegation: Don’t forget the health dividend Article in the ECO NGO Newsletter at Cancun - "...climate checkup from medical community tells us about the benefits of addressing our emissions addictions". MEDIA COVERAGE Health day at Cancun gave us an excellent opportunity for further media promotion. The new country findings that accompany our September report Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy were picked up in many EU member states including Hungary (thanks to HEAL member, the Clean Air Action Group) where it featured in four national news sites and widely on NGO websites, Bulgaria with a article in the leading weekly paper Capital covering our report, and a German medical publication. Other media coverage included: The Lancet – Could health finance climate change mitigation? Live Science: Climate Change Talks Should Include Health Effects WHO – World Health Organization, Jumo OTHER NEWS FROM THE HEALTH COMMUNITY: International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA) Blog: ifmsa.wordpress.com UNFCCC Youth Delegation – The health perspective – courtesy of Sudhvir Singh ABC live: WHO Proposes COP16 to Make Adoption Funds with Public Health Package New Report: the Climate Vulnerability Monitor indicates that there could be 5 million climate deaths by 2020, which increased the pressure on the delegates. The Climate Vulnerability Monitor is the first definitive study on the impacts of climate change on human health. It was produced by DARA a leading humanitarian research organisation in conjunction with the Climate Vulnerability Forum (CVF). New report: Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy. The HEAL and HCWH report, released in September 2010, quantifies the health benefits for Europeans of stronger EU action on climate change for both the EU and different Member States. It reframes the current discussions from climate costs to climate benefits, particularly for people’s health and healthcare systems. HEAL has been working on climate and health issues since 2007 – visit our climate and health resources section. Campaign Postcard: What's good for climate is good for health. |
| 07/11/2010 | HEAL Annual General Assembly; five new members and a new Executive Committee! HEAL Annual General Assembly: 5 new members and a new Executive Committee! HEAL’s 2010 Annual General Assembly, held in our Brussels office, welcomed over 35 health and environment experts and activists from across Europe. The two day interactive meeting discussed HEAL’s strategy for the upcoming years and allowed for HEAL members to highlight their activities. We also saw the election of a new HEAL Executive Committee for 2010-2012 and the introduction of 5 new member organisations from throughout the EU. HEAL Members voted a new Executive Committee for a two-year mandate (20010-2012). We welcome two new members to the Committee, Valerie Xhonneux from Inter Environnement Wallonie (Belgium) and André Cicolella, Réseau Environnement Santé (France). The Annual General Assembly also thanked Henriette Christiansen from the Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN EU) and Tamara Steger, Association for Environmental Health (Hungary), who were not running again for Executive Committee, for their hard work and commitment over the past two years. The new committee is a truly international body of Health and Environment experts. The new HEAL Executive Committee is as follows: Name Organisation Marie Christine Dewolf (HEAL President) Hygiène Publique en Hainaut (Belgium) Peter van den Hazel (Vice-President) International Network for Children's Health, Environment and Safety (the Netherlands) Dave Stone (Treasurer) Natural England (UK) Dr. Peter Ohnsorge European Academy of Environmental Medicine (Germany) André Cicolella Réseau Environnement Santé (France) Monika Kosinska European Public Health Alliance (Belgium) Valérie Xhonneux Inter-Environnement Wallonie (Belgium) Members’ Corner The Members’ corner, a HEAL interactive session, aimed to enable members to highlight their upcoming work, campaigns, to discover what others are doing and to find synergies for future work. HEAL membership includes a diverse network of European, International, and National organisations as well as academic institutions - each focusing on a diversity of policy areas, ranging for environment & health, air quality, sustainable development , children’s health, pesticides, chemicals, etc. We thank members for the lively session, it was the best yet!. Approval of new Members Application HEAL is excited to welcome five new members from Hungary, France, Armenia and the Netherlands. Find out more about these groups and their issues here: Clean Air Action Group (Hungary) Women for Green Way for Generations (Armenia) Committee for Sustainable Development in Health (France) Own Cross roads Foundation Vereniging Stedelijk Leefmilieu Groen – en Milieubeheer (Netherlands) |
| 07/11/2010 | The Future of the Environment & Health Action Plan in Europe On Tuesday 5th October HEAL hosted a policy event as part of our Annual General Assembly to discuss the future of the EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP). As the current EHAP runs out at the end of this year, the session aimed to reflect on the political context for current and future environment & health work and to highlight policy opportunities for taking the agenda forward. Participants reiterated the call for a 2nd EHAP in order to ensure environment and health concerns continue to receive EU policy priority. 2010 marks the end of the first Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP 2004-2010). The current EHAP has added immense value in ensuring more targeted research on environmental impacts and health outcomes. There are many reasons why a 2nd Action Plan is needed, one being that such a plan would ensure the translation of this research for new or revised environmental policies. The EU's sixth research framework programme, guided by the first EHAP, provided approximately 200 million Euros for environment and health projects (2002-2006). Investment continues in the current seventh programme with important results expected to guide policy change over the next years. For example, the ESCAPE project on air pollution will provide answers in 2012 on how poor air quality affects respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer. The findings could be used to improve air quality controls. The session started with Catherine Bouland from the Institut Bruxellois pour la Gestion de l’Environnement (IBGE) speaking on behalf of the Belgian Presidency of the EU, giving an overview of the Belgian EU Presidency Initiative on the preparation and development for a 2nd EHAP. During the Belgian Presidency several high-level events are being organized on environment and health. The foundations and results of these events will be used as a foundation to support European Council decisions regarding a second EHAP. Genon Jensen and Catherine Bouland host the first session In June, the Belgian Federal Minister for Environment published a study on The EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP) – Assessment and Outlook for Future Action, which was written by HEAL. The document sets out the policy and research background for many environment and health themes, which will be discussed during the Presidency events. Developing a coordinated EU approach to Human Biomonitoring is one of the goals of the current EHAP. Ludwine Casteleyn from the University of Leuven presented the activitities of the EU COPHES project on human biomonitoring. A 2nd EHAP would ensure the continuation of this initiative and also could be the framework for linking biomonitoring to policy files such as REACH. Participants also discussed recent developments within the insurers fields. Chronic diseases are rising in Europe, and at least part of this epidemic is linked to environmental factors. Insurers are getting increasingly concerned about these environmental health links. In June, the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) issued a declaration on the need for action. Andre Cilocella from the French Reseau Environnement Sante presented his collaboration with the French mutualities. The first EHAP provided powerful evidence of the significance of environmental impacts on human health. A second EHAP is necessary to maintain momentum and ensure that progressive policies are created – which can also help the materialisation of the Europe 2020 strategy. |
| 07/11/2010 | More guidance for countries on EU pesticide legislation needed EU Health and Consumer Affair’s Commissioner John Dalli has been asked to encourage faster, stronger implementation of pesticides policy in an open letter from HEAL and our partner organisation, Pesticides Action Network Europe. As a result of recent EU legislation, Member States are asked to reduce pesticide use to protect health and the environment. But groups are concerned that deadlines related to National Action Plans on the sustainable use of pesticides scheduled for 14 December 2011 and 2012 will not be met. HEAL and PAN Europe are calling on EU Health Commissioner John Dalli to take a more pro-active role in protecting citizens from pesticide exposure. ”Health impacts from pesticides are a major public health issue: both the cocktail effect of pesticides to which we are exposed and possible long-term effects. But we can reduce exposure now," says Anne Stauffer, Policy Manager, Health and Environment Alliance. |
| 07/11/2010 | European Commission bans the use of bisphenol A in plastic baby bottles In November the European Commission banned the use of organic compound bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic baby bottles, the ban will come into place from March 2011. "It is a step in the right direction," says Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Policy Advisor at HEAL. "But this only relates to baby bottles. The ban should be for ALL food packaging for infants under three years old - and it should quickly be extended to all food packaging because, if babies during pregnancy are to be protected, consumption by women of child-bearing age should be avoided." With growing evidence that BPA may play a role in major chronic diseases, such as breast cancer and diabetes, reducing levels of human exposure is a necessary and important step. The exposure of the developing foetus in the womb warrants particular attention because BPA can cross the placenta. Press releases: 26/11/2010 Health and Environment NGOs comment on Bisphenol A ban 26/11/2010 Addressing the "missing link" in cancer prevention 22/11/2010 Commission confirms intentions on BPA 30/09/2010 European food panel fails to protect EU citizen’s health from plastic component, BPA |
| 07/11/2010 | "Toxic menu" launches cancer and environment campaign in France Générations Futures (formerly MDRGF) and HEAL revealed results of tests on typical children’s meals in France to launch the "Environnement et Cancer" campaign on 1 December 2010. Between July and September 2010, non-organic food items making up the typical daily intake of a 10 year-old were bought in various supermarkets and tested for chemical residues. Analysis of the "Menus Toxiques" showed the make-up of chemical substances in our children’s daily diet, and the chemical cocktail to which they are exposed from food alone. The findings showed 128 trace elements representing 81 different chemical substances. These substances included 36 different pesticides and 47 suspected carcinogens. Given that one in every two men and one in every three women in France will develop cancer during their lifetime, the first step in this new campaign was an effort to establish exposure, via food intake, to substances suspected to be cancer-causing. The campaign's aim is to raise citizen and public authority awareness of the important role played by environmental risk factors among the causes of cancer. It is also intended to encourage action leading to necessary policy changes. The release of the findings at a press conference prompted huge media coverage, including a one-page article in France's leading newspaper Le Monde as well as coverage in the major dailies, television and trade press. Articles also appeared in medical publications with large readership among doctors and health professionals. Générations Futures say that since starting to work on food and chemical contamination, notably pesticides, they have received a stream of questions about "real" levels of exposure via food: "How many different substances are we exposed to each day?", "Which types of chemicals?", "Are the minimum levels set by the authorities respected?", and "How many suspected carcinogens and EDCs are we exposed to on a daily basis?" Surveys show that: • 80% of people in France are worried about pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables and cereals • 80% are anxious about pollutants in fish and meat • Almost half of all French people believe that public authorities of the European Union do not take sufficient action to protect consumers from this risk. Even though for each substance taken on its own the acceptable levels were respected, the food products contained a large number of different molecules which are suspected to have cancer-causing properties and/or could disturb the endocrine (hormone) system. In view of the results, the message is that we should ask those responsible to find a way to substantially reduce our exposure, notably through food intake, to suspected carcinogens and to EDCs. This objective is attainable. For a number of the substances, substitutes already exist. Pesticides and additives can be eliminated through organic agriculture and food production. A joint Générations Futures and HEAL Cyberaction was also launched. Within two weeks, more than 5,000 supporters have sent letters to the French government asking for 1. A real environmental risk factor section to be included in the 2nd Cancer Plan in France 2. The precautionary principles to be put into practice, especially in relation to possible carcinogens (CMR3) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) 3. Firm action to be put in place for the immediate substitution of substances known to be carcinogenic and not simply a reduction in their emissions. Take part in this Cyberaction at www.environnement-et-cancer.com and www.cyberacteurs.org |
| 07/11/2010 | Cancer and Environment week – November 2010 In November, HEAL hosted a series of events to raise awareness of the links between cancer causation and involuntary exposure to toxic chemicals in our everyday environments. The Cancer and Environment week included a policy discussion in the European Parliament, a public film screening, an NGO workshop on pesticides and health and the launch of a French cancer and environment awareness campaign. • 29th NOVEMBER MEPs to be urged to address "missing link" in fight against cancer Cancer survivors and health groups want European leaders to improve environmental policy that could hold down rising incidence rates. At a debate in the European Parliament organised by HEAL on Monday 29th November, Sandra Steingraber - a scientist, cancer survivor and author of Living Downstream talked about the ways in which environmental policy can tackle the links between exposure to environmental pollutants and cancer, and lessons were exchanged on regulatory responses. Sandra Steingraber says that although scientists are well aware of the role environmental factors are playing in cancer, the public and politicians are not yet sufficiently aware. "The disconnect between what we in the scientific community know and what patients are told is huge," she told MEPs, health, environment and patient groups, and scientists in a debate illustrated with excerpts from her new film, Living Downstream. She sees her role as helping to close that gap. The session was introduced by Sirpa Pietikainen MEP who spoke about the need to bringing environmental factors into the cancer debate. The panel also heard from Viorica Cursaru, Myeloma Euronet, European Cancer Patients’ Coalition (ECPC) who discussed the situation in Romania, as an example of an EU country where the government is not yet ensuring that minimum EU standards for health and environment are being met. She linked this observation to cancer rates. At the end of her presentation, Sandra Steingraber called on participants to join a worldwide health and environment movement made up of "carcinogen abolitionists". Genon Jensen, HEAL’s Executive Director, added that the movement in Europe aims to phase out not only the chemicals that are "carcinogens" but also the endocrine disrupting chemicals that act as a contributory factor in triggering cancer, and other health disorders. HEAL joined forces with the European Cancer Patients Coalition and Forum Against Cancer Europe to organise this event. The aim is to raise awareness and highlight prevention opportunities in EU environmental policies. The partnership helped to bring the message and advocacy opportunity to over three-hundred national cancer groups within the EU. In preparation, cancer groups compiled ‘Environment and Cancer testimonies’, which provide a snapshot of various patients’ groups’ concerns and priorities for action on environmental prevention by member states and the EU. The testimonies show that cancer patients are increasingly concerned about chemicals in our environment, and want the environment cleaned up to help them avoid a recurrence. For example, a Belgium patient notes that many farmers in his neighbourhood are still using forbidden pesticides. These concerns reflect public opinion surveys findings in the EU. A recent Eurobarometer shows that pesticide residues in food are a number one worry for 72% of EU consumers, a higher percentage than in 2005. • 30th NOVEMBER Workshop: Reducing pesticide use across Europe for better health Health and environment groups from throughout the European Union gathered in Brussels to discuss strategies for pesticides reduction. The workshop, hosted by HEAL and Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) formed the first meeting of HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides network which will act as a platform to exchange information on the setting up of pesticide-free areas and to establish the next steps as countries prepare National Action plans for pesticide reduction. The meeting particularly focused on the core campaign countries of the UK, France, Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands. European Premiere of Living Downstream HEAL hosted the European premiere of the groundbreaking film on cancer and environmental causation, Living Downstream. Sandra Steingraber joined us again to introduce the film, which is based on her acclaimed book of the same name, and to host a discussion session after the screening. The well-attended screening was hosted in Mundo B, Brussels in collaboration with Friends of the Earth Europe and CEE Bankwatch. The film is available to order on Sandra’s website. If you are interested in hosting a screening please do get in touch, the film is available to public interest organisations to use in education and awareness-raising. There will also be a community guide, which HEAL is contributing to, to help non-profit organisations, labour unions, medical professionals, community groups, and grassroots activists to use the film in a variety of ways in their work. Watch the Living Downstream trailer . • 1st DECEMBER "Toxic menu" press conference launches campaign in France Générations Futures (formerly MDRGF) and HEAL revealed results of tests on typical meals in France to launch the "Environnement et Cancer" campaign on 1 December 2010. Read more... Film screening to European Commission’s cancer support group HEAL also organised a screening of the Living Downstream film for the European Commission’s cancer support group. The Cancer Support group is for people working in the European Commission whose lives have been touched by cancer. Sandra Steingraber joined us again to introduce the film, and discuss questions with participants after the screening. The discussion explored particularly chemicals in water and safe drinking sources. Accompanying documentation: European Parliament event: Agenda European Parliament event: Biographies of speakers Questions on cancer and the environment Levels of cancer incidence growth in the EU Food-related risks, Special Eurobarometer 354, November 2010 Press coverage: 01 December 2010 - The Ecologist, CAMPAIGN PROFILE: Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) 01 December 2010 - The Ecologist, Sandra Steingraber: There's a taboo about telling industry and agriculture that practices must change to prevent cancer 30 November 2010 - The European Parliament magazine, EU urged to protect citizens from 'cancer-causing pollutants' |
| 07/10/2010 | 5th October Policy Event: EU Action on Environment and Health As a part of HEAL's 2010 Annual General Assembly, we will host a Policy Event to dicuss EU Action on Environment and Health and perspectives for a 2nd Environment and Health Action Plan. The goal of the discussion is to reflect on the political context for current and future environment and health work and highlight policy opportunities for taking the environment and health agenda forward. The event will be held in the HEAL offices - Boulevard Charlemagne 28, 1000 Brussels - on 5 October 2010, 14:30 – 17:00. Please note, this event is by invitation only The programme is as follows: Policy Event: EU Action on Environment and Health: Perspectives for a 2nd Environment and Health Action Plan 14:30 Welcome, Marie Christine Dewolf, HEAL President 14:30 Introductory Speeches by the EU Institutions. Chair: Genon Jensen, HEAL Executive Director Catherine Bouland, Institut Bruxellois pour la Gestion de L’Environnement IBGE, Belgian EU Presidency Frédérique Ries, Member of the European Parliament, EP rapporteur for the 1st EHAP (tbc) 15:15 Making the case for added-value of environment and health action at EU level. Chair: David Stone, Natural England Environment and Health: Perspectives for the 7th EAP, John Hontelez, Director, European Environmental Bureau EEB EHAP and COPHES: on the way to EU human biomonitoring, Ludwine Casteleyn, University of Leuven Environment and Health and prevention opportunities: the view from health insurers, Elodie Hemery, Association Internationale de la Mutualite 16:00 Questions and Discussion 16:30 Conclusions and Way forward |
| 07/10/2010 | HEAL Team run for Clean air on Global Climate Action Day in EU capital! Ahead of a crucial air quality debate due to take place in the European Commission in the next few weeks, HEAL and other NGOs joined forces with the green group European Environmental Bureau (EEB) to reiterate calls for an urgent upgrade of key air legislation. The Health and Environment groups took action in the novel form of a mini-run during the Brussels Marathon. The ‘Run for Clean Air! Everywhere’ organised by EEB and part of the wider event of the Brussels Marathon involved citizens from all over Europe. By running in the European capital participants called on decision makers to take action now and ensure they can live, and run, in clean cities. EU Commissioners will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the fate of the National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive – which could contribute to better air quality in Europe. The much-needed revision of the Directive has been postponed since 2007, which is particularly bad news for the health of children and those suffering from respiratory diseases. Air pollution is known to increase respiratory problems and diseases, such as asthma. In order to reduce the burden of disease and death caused by air pollution, action is needed now. (See HEAL and EEB press release sent out in July). The reasons for the delay of the revision are unclear. Air pollutants are estimated to cause close to half a million premature deaths each year as well as severe damage to the environment through its climate impacts, acidification of water and soils, and ozone layer damage. Studies available on the Commission’s own website show that the benefits of a revised NEC Directive to health, environment and the economy will significantly outweigh the costs involved. Air quality would also benefit as a side-effect of more ambitious EU policy to mitigate climate change. For example, our recent report, Acting now for better health: A 30% target for EU climate policy, demonstrates that cleaner energy and cleaner air, associated with an immediate move to 30% domestic cuts in greenhouse gases by 2020, would go a long way to paying for itself in better health through Europe. |
| 07/10/2010 | HEAL hosts European film premiere: Living Downstream 29th & 30th November HEAL will host a series of screenings of the groundbreaking film, Living Downstream followed by policy discussions on cancer and environment. HEAL is really pleased to be able to bring this film to Europe, we hope you can join us. Monday, 29th November. A screening of excerpts from the film and science-to-policy discussion 19.30 - 21.30. Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels Sponsored by Sirpa Pietikainen & Petru Luhan, MEPs Living Downstream presentation: Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. discusses her work to break the silence about cancer and its environmental links, and presents the new documentary film ‘Living Downstream’, based on her acclaimed book of her struggles with cancer and her environmental research. Panel Discussion: How can the EU better address the latest science with policies for the ‘environmental prevention’ of cancer? • Dr Andrew Watterson, Head, Occupational & Environmental Health Research Group, University of Stirling, Scotland, U.K. • Viorica Cursaru, Myeloma Euronet, European Cancer Patients’ Coalition. (ECPC) • Genon Jensen, Director, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) This will take place in collaboration with the European Cancer Patient Coalition and Forum against Cancer Europe and is by invitation only. Tuesday 30 November – 18.00 - 20.30, Mundo-B, Rue d'Edinbourg 26, Brussels Premiere Screening, followed by a discussion session with Sandra Steingraber. After the film, please join us for a discussion, food & drink. This event is open to the public- to reserve a place, please contact joelle. Download the poster here Here's a sneak preview of what's in store: “Once there was a village overlooking a beautiful river. The people who lived there were very kind. These residents, according to the parable, began noticing increasing numbers of drowning people caught in the river’s swift current. And so they went to work devising ever more elaborate technologies to resuscitate them. So preoccupied were these heroic villagers with rescue and treatment that they never thought to look upstream to see why the victims were falling in. Living Downstream is a walk up that river. The river of human cancer.” Read more about Living Downstream |
| 07/09/2010 | New Report: 30% emissions reduction target could save public health billions EU Member State governments could radically improve public health and save on health care budgets if European Union climate policy were substantially strengthened. These ground-breaking findings were published by HEAL and our member organisation, Health Care Without Harm Europe in our new report, Acting now for better health: A 30% target for EU climate policy . The report provides the first-ever estimates of the health savings for different Member States should the European Union move from the current 20% target to a 30% target on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For the EU as a whole, the anticipated health benefits could be as high as 30.5 billion Euros annually by 2020. We hope that EU decision-makers in the Council and the European Parliament will take this health message on board in their preparations for the next UN Climate Summit in Cancun. Our new report blew up quite a storm among political and medical leaders. There is interest from the European Parliament to raise the issue in the Environment Committee and the Climate Advisor to the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), Dr Michael Wilks was quoted supporting the report in a front-page article in the EU Observer. Several experts at the World Health Organization sent messages of interest, and Dr Hugh Montgomery, a UK professor and expert in health and climate change, sent a copy of the report to the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron. Media coverage was equally encouraging. As EU policy makers arrived at Schumann they were handed a copy of Metro newspaper containing an article about the report, and leading national news agencies in five of our target countries wrote stories. An article in the influential New York Times Green Blog sparked interest from bloggers around the world. You can see the full media coverage here |
| 07/09/2010 | Following up from Parma: the next steps in the WHO European Environment and Health process The sixtieth session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Europe was held in Moscow, from 13 to 16 September 2010. As WHO’s annual meeting to discuss strategy, the 2010 meeting also saw the endorsement of the new environment and health commitments agreed on at the Parma Ministerial Conference earlier this year. HEAL and partners, have played a key role in the WHO Environment and Health process from the beginning and were present in Moscow to reiterate the urgency for action in this process, particularly in improving children’s health and helping to prevent diseases such as cancer, asthma and obesity. At the Parma Ministerial conference, member states of the WHO European Region agreed on a new institutional framework for the Environment and Health process. This includes the the creation of a new European Environment and Health Ministerial Board with eight members, which takes the E&H work to a new level. The four representatives from the health side - France, Malta, Serbia and Slovenia - were elected in Moscow. The election of the four environment representatives will be followed in the next weeks. HEAL welcomes the creation of the Board that will meet annually, as it has the potential to bring more political weight to pressing environment and health issues. However, we urge WHO European region countries to give civil society a clear voice through granting observer status in this new decision-making body. The exclusion of the concerns of the public, and in particular vulnerable groups, could jeopardise the validity of this valuable new body. Read the statement from HEAL, ECO Forum |
| 08/06/2010 | Europe on track to exceed air pollutant emission limits In 2010, almost half of the European Union’s Member States will exceed the legal limits of air pollutants. New research from the European Environment Agency (EEA) states that 11 countries expect to exceed their emissions ceilings by significant amounts — some missing Nitrogen oxide (NOx )targets by more than 40 %. Of the four pollutants covered by the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NEC) Directive, EU Member States have the greatest difficulty meeting the emission limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx). Only 16 expect to achieve their respective NOx ceilings, with road transport bearing most of the blame. The NEC Directive sets pollutant-specific and legally binding emission limits for four main air pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and ammonia (NH3). These pollutants are known to damage both human health and the environment. They add to the formation of ozone and particulate matter and lead to acidification and increase in the concentration of chemical nutrients in an ecosystem. The health and environment community have long warned of dangers to health from airborne particles emitted mainly by industry, traffic and domestic heating as many are linked to asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. Member States have to step up their efforts to meet the NEC Directive’s ceilings by this year in order to deliver the agreed health and environmental benefits. Several Member States, including Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom, expect to exceed their respective NOx ceilings by less than 5 %. In contrast, France and Spain expect to exceed their ceilings by 261 kilotonnes and 236 kilotonnes respectively — equivalent to surpluses of 32 % and 28 %. Other countries, expecting lower surpluses in absolute terms, would exceed their limits by even larger margins, notably Austria (42 %), Belgium (43 %) and Ireland (47 %). This report could hardly have been more timely, as only last month (May) the European Commission sent a final warning to Italy over levels of fine particle pollution. Italy have failed to comply with EU air quality standards for PM10, this breach has lead the European Commission is pursuing legal action. A second and final written warning has been sent to Italy for exceeding the limit values for PM10 in many zones or agglomerations across the country. EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "Air pollution continues to cause more than 350,000 premature deaths in Europe each year. There are still too many places in in Italy where, for every 10,000 inhabitants, more than 15 people die prematurely due to particulate matter alone. Member States must continue to take the matter of EU air quality standards seriously and take the action needed to reduce emissions". Read the full press release from the Commission here. |
| 08/06/2010 | ESCAPE air pollution research plans launch of results 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 |
| 08/06/2010 | Air quality policy update - May & June 2010 11 EU member states are expected to miss one or more of the legal limits set by the National Emission Ceilings Directive NEC in 2010, according to the European Environment Agency. Meeting the emission ceiling for Nitrogen Oxides NOx, as one of the four pollutants for which NEC sets limits, has been the most difficult one for the countries. The European Commission is pursuing legal action against Italy for failing to comply with EU air quality PM 10 standards. The Commission has sent Italy a final written warning. If Italy fails to take the necessary compliance measures, the Commission could refer the case to the European Court of Justice. HEAL’s ACTION ON AIR QUALITY This year HEAL and partner organisation the European Federation of Asthma and Allergy Association (EFA) have expanded the KnowYourAirForHealth website, from English and Finnish to Czech, French and Italian. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Write to EU Environment Commissioner Potocnik to express your concern about the delay of EU action on Air quality. For more details contact anne@env-health.org. Visit the KnowYourAirForHealth site and find out latest information on national and local air pollution. www.KnowYourAirForHealth.org. |
| 08/06/2010 | Commission proposes new EU climate policy The European Commission has released a communication that analyses the economic and policy implications of the EU increasing its greenhouse gas emission reduction target to 30% (compared to those of 1990) instead of the current 20%. The Communication, released by the newly formed Directorate General Climate Action under Commissioner Hedegaard, demonstrates the economic feasibility of reducing the EU’s CO2 emissions from 20% to 30%. Whilst the initial financial investment required will be higher than that of a 20% reduction, the Communication highlights that the cross-sector benefits would be substantial. These "co-benefits" are mainly presented in economic terms, but there is some acknowledgment of the wider socio-environmental gains – such as protection of ecosytems and public health. The environment and health community has welcomed the Commission’s analysis, as it clearly demonstrates that the reduction of carbon emissions will lead to stronger reductions of other hazardous air pollutants. HEAL, alongside other health and environment professionals, have long advocated that as a significant reduction in CO2 emissions would dramatically limit the impacts on health, and could save between an estimated 3.5 and 7 billion. Prior to the release of the Communication, the Climate Action Network held a press conference to emphasise the advantages of a 30% emissions reduction. Dr. Pendo Maro, HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Climate and Energy Policy Office was present to answer specific questions on health benefits of emission reductions and how industry puts profits above health. Pendo’s statement is attached below. |
| 08/06/2010 | Climate change policy update - May & June 2010 On 26th May the European Commission formally adopted a new Communication that analyses the economic and policy implications of an EU move to 30% emission reductions target. Read more here From 31st may – 11th June the UNFCCC international climate change talks took place in Bonn (Bonn II). On 11th June the Environment Council met to discuss the Commission’s 30% Communication. The Council Conclusions took note of the Communication, but directed further discussion on the Communication to its October 2010 meeting. It also welcomed the Commission’s intention to conduct more detailed analysis on the policy options and cost benefit specifically at Member States level. On 17th -8th June Heads of States and government discussed, among other issues, climate change and the 30% Communication. No formal adoption of the Communication was expected, but like the Environment Council, the Heads of States took note of the Communication and postponed further discussion on climate change to the autumn, before Cancun. HEAL and HCWHE had sent letters to Heads of State prior to the Council meeting with a similar message to the letter to Environment Ministers. July 1 start of Belgian Presidency of the EU. The Belgian Presidency will lead EU’s discussion on climate change in the autumn and also leading up to Cancun. We will follow the Presidency agenda on this and keep you informed. HEAL ACTION ON CLIMATE & HEALTH Prior to the Environment Council meeting,HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe sent a letter to EU Environment Ministers urging them to acknowledge the Communication findings on benefits to health and employment. We highlighted the health benefits of an EU move to 30% emission reduction from the HEAL CAN WWF 2008 report. HEAL and HCWHE had sent letters to Heads of State prior to the Council meeting with a similar message to the letter to Environment Ministers. On 20th May civil society held a Press Briefing to present their perspective on the European Commission’s 30% Communication; with the aim to debunk industry claims. HEAL’s Climate and Energy Policy Office, Pendo Maro, contributed. Read more… 15th June The Green 10 wrote a letter to Mr Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council prior to the meeting of Heads and State and Government. Stepping up the EU’s climate ambition could be a green way out of Europe’s economic blues WHAT CAN YOU DO? Are you working in climate and health? As our work on the health impacts of climate change expands, we would be interested in hearing from you if you are working in this field. We would be particularly interested in hearing from members or other public interest groups in the our key target countries: France, Germany, UK, Poland and Italy. Please do get in touch, pendo@env-health.org. |
| 08/06/2010 | Pesticides & biocides policy update - May & June 2010 On 22nd June, the European Parliament’s Environment (ENVI) Committee voted on its report on the EU Commission’s proposal to revise the current EU Biocides law. Over 500 amendments had been tabled on crucial issues such as the phase out of hazardous biocides and exemptions, EU centralized authorization and nano-biocides. The EP plenary vote is scheduled for September. Read more… HEAL’s ACTION ON PESTICIDES AND BIOCIDES In May and June, as part of the NGO coalition, HEAL sent letters and met MEPs to urge them to strengthen the Commission’s proposal on biocides for better health and environment protection. • 05/2010 To: IMCO committee. NGO recommendations in view of the considerations in the ENVI-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocide regulation (COM 267) • 04/2010 To: ENVI committee. NGO recommendations in view of the considerations in the ENVI-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocide regulation (COM 267) HEAL, PAN Germany and EEB issued a press release after the ENVI vote. HEAL welcomed the improvements brought by the Environment Committee, particularly in recognising the need to better protect vulnerable groups, and better assessment of the cumulative effects of biocides. However, concerns about remaining loopholes and questions in the proposal were also flagged up. HEAL contributed to the consultation on the UK’s National Pesticide Action Plan, and advocated its support for pesticide-free areas - such as schools, nurseries and residential areas. The Sick of Pesticides Campaign is also featured in PAN Europe’s new publication on National Action Plans. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Contact your MEP HEAL in collaboration with other NGOs will carry out a thorough assessment of the ENVI vote. We will then provide information about our concerns that you bring to your MEP prior to the EP plenary vote (in September). What’s happening in your country with National pesticide action plans? As HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides campaigns gathers momentum across the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary, we’re keen to hear about the preparations and discussions in your country on the National pesticide action plans. Please keep us posted and find out how HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides campaign can support your activities – you can email anne@env-health.org. |
| 08/06/2010 | European Parliament Committee strengthens draft biocides law, but concerns remain On the 23 June, the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) voted on some 500 amendments to the Commission’s European Commission’s proposal for a revised EU biocides law. The vote was welcomed by health and environment groups, yet problems remain. NGO were pleased to see the following developments: Special vulnerability of children and pregnant women to the harmful effects of biocides - something that was absent from the original Commission proposal. "Combination effects" of exposure to biocides must be included in their risk assessment. Requirements on specific safety assessment methods, and consumer information through mandatory labelling of nanomaterials. Continuing concerns NGOs were concerned before the vote that the ENVI committee would not go far enough to ensure that all hazardous products be removed from the market. Concerns remain about the following: Too many hazardous biocides could be left on the market as a result of loopholes in the exclusion criteria. Uncertainty over the EU centralised authorisation system and data requirements for health toxicity and eco-toxicity. The time needed for an accurate product assessment and expert exchange seem in danger of being seriously impaired. Next moves The report from the ENVI committee will then be voted on by the whole parliament in September 2010. Health and environment NGOs urge MEPs to address these questions and loopholes. Read the press release sent out after the recent ENVI vote |
| 08/06/2010 | MEPs urge cancer prevention deal with environmental causes In May we saw the adoption by European parliamentarians (MEPs) of a resolution that recognises the important role of environmental factors in cancer prevention. On the 6th May 2010, the European Parliament adopted a report on the European Commission’s proposal to create a European Partnership for Action Against Cancer for the period 2009-2013 – supporting EU Member States' efforts to tackle cancer. The resolution distinguishes between primary prevention and early detection/screening, and calls for more research into the prevention of cancer from exposure to chemicals in our everyday environment. All EU Member States are urged to set up integrated cancer plans, to help achieve the Partnership’s long-term aim of reducing cancer by 15% by 2020. The Parliament vote has underlined the need to pay attention to the growing body of science that shows chemical pollution in our environment and work settings contributes to Europe's high rates of cancer. Before the adoption in the European Parliament, HEAL worked alongside 21 European and national cancer prevention and environment and health groups to provide expertise. We welcome this resolution which indicates that the reduction of cancer incidence rates will continued to be slowed by poor implementation of existing EU and national laws on water quality, chemicals and pesticides management, and worker protection as well as lack of research and development in ‘environmental prevention’. For more information about HEAL’s action on chemicals and health please visit Chemicals Health Monitor. |
| 08/06/2010 | HEAL supports call for reducing exposure to BPA On 23rd June 2010, HEAL added its name to a letter to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) calling for a reduction in human exposure to the synthetic chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA). The signatories, which include professors and scientists from US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and UK and more than 40 international and national health groups, welcome the fact that the current review is taking into account a large number of studies in its opinion on BPA due to be published in early July 2010. The opinion from EFSA has been delayed to take into account "hundreds of studies" and the "most recent scientific literature", according to the EFSA website. The Open Letter from scientists and NGOs says that "Only a tiny minority of studies have articulated that BPA exposure is safe… but it is these few flawed studies that EFSA previously relied on to declare BPA safe." Read the full article... |
| 08/06/2010 | Chemicals policy update - May & June 2010 REACH: There are quite a few developments concerning the chemicals on the ‘most harmful’ Candidate List of the new European chemicals legislation. • 8 new chemicals adopted by the Member State Committee in May as ‘Substances of very high concern’ - ECHA soon to officially add them to the List. • 8 existing Candidates, including the phthalate DIBP, proposed by ECHA for the Priority List – this would subject those chemicals to the authorisation process. These proposals will be put up to a public consultation starting in July. • Deadline for the next nominations for the Candidate List is August 2010. ROHS: On June 2nd, the Environment and Public Health Committee voted on the report revising the ROHS Directive (hazardous substances in electric/electronic goods). The final vote from the whole Parliament, will take place in early October. Bisphenol A: Scientific panel on food contact materials (CEF) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) due to issue a scientific report on BPA by early July. The report is in response to a request from the European Commission International examples of concern over chemical’s endocrine disrupting effects - Danish government introduced a national ban on BPA in food contact materials destined for children aged 0-3, starting in July 2010; French government publishing a law banning BPA-containing baby bottles; and Swedish government signaled intention to take national measures if EFSA does not propose a stronger regulation. HEAL’s ACTION ON CHEMICALS • Submitted comments to the European Commission on the study about the cocktail effect (toxicity of mixtures), and participated in their June workshop. • Submitted comments to the Chemicals Agency on the proposed REACH Candidate chemicals, and attended the 12th Member State Committee meeting. • Participated in a joint letter to Members of the European Parliament on ROHS], calling for a ban on all halogenated organic chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants, and polyvinylchloride (PVC). • HEAL and many members signed a joint letter calling on EFSA to include all relevant studies in its review of BPA, and concluded that a thorough analysis of the science indicates that action to reduce exposure is warranted. The letter was signed by 21 scientists and 41 NGOs. WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Voice your concern about BPA: Cover the recent joint letter and upcoming opinion of EFSA in your news (website, newsletter, etc). •Join us in improving the REACH Consumer right to know about hazardous chemicals in products. Send a letter to a retailer or manufacturer about particular products – HEAL can provide a model letter - Please contact Lisette@env-health.org. •Ask your government to nominate harmful chemicals. Ask your government to nominate harmful chemicals to the Candidate List via the ‘fast track’ system. Use our model letter to contact the relevant ministry – let us know your response. For more details on any of the above, please contact Lisette@env-health.org. |
| 08/06/2010 | Mercury policy update - May & June 2010 The 1st International Negotiating Conference for a global mercury treaty took place in Stockholm on June 7 – 11, and marks the beginning of 3 years of negotiations for a UN treaty to limit mercury uses. (The Convention is due to be adopted in 2013). NGOs conducted two awareness raising actions during the conference. Read more…. The World Health Organisation stated at the Stockholm meeting that the production of skin lightening cosmetics containing mercury should stop, and expressed an interest in the ‘phasing down’ of the use of mercury in dental amalgam. HEAL’s ACTION ON MERCURY HEAL provided the organizations conducting the hair sampling with background materials and mercury fact sheets from the joint HEAL- Health Care Without Harm Stay Healthy Stop Mercury campaign. Visit our Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury website. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Disseminate news about the global mercury treaty negotiations, and the positions and views of NGOs; 1. IPEN’s mercury-free campaign“Mercury-Free: You, Me and Babies”). 2. Zero Mercury Working Group. |
| 08/06/2010 | International mercury negotiations begin in Stockholm From June 7-11, 2010, International Governments met in Stockholm, Sweden to begin negotiations for a global, legally-binding method to limit mercury usage. This marked the beginning of 3 years of negotiations for a UN treaty - due to be adopted in 2013. Civil society was represented by approximately 55 NGOs from 29 countries which included IPEN member, health sector and anti-dental amalgam groups, and Indigenous Peoples’ organisations. The Conference took decisions on rules of procedure, the selection of officers and a Bureau. The delegates commented on issues outlined in the 2009 UNEP Governing Council Decision 25/5, which establishes the mandate of the INC and outlines the goals and elements of the treaty, such as supply; storage; use in products and processes; artisanal small scale gold mining; trade; atmospheric emissions; waste and contaminated sites; and compliance . NGOs conducted two awareness raising actions at the Stockholm Mercury INC. Member groups of the International Persistent Organic Pollutant Elimination Network (IPEN) and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation did a sampling of mercury in the hair of 45 government delegates and some other representatives. The survey found mercury in all of the 58 hair test participants, and more than one third of samples exceeded the US National Research Council reference dose to avoid adverse effects on fetal brain development in pregnant women. Average mercury levels in people from developing and transition countries, where many people rely on fish for food, were twice the levels measured in delegates from developed countries. IPEN member groups also distributed over 200 perch-pike snacks to delegates, along with a postcard noting that Swedish perch-pike is so contaminated with mercury that the Swedish National Food Administration recommends eating it only two - three times per year for women who are trying to conceive a baby, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. The press release and report on the hair sampling. |
| 08/06/2010 | HEAL Secretariat News - May & June 2010 Staff Changes In May we welcomed Antonin Acquarone to the team as our Climate Change Research and Policy Assistant. Antonin, who will be working with Pendo Maro, HEAL’s Climate and Energy Advisor. The 6 month internship with HEAL is part of 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. Press releases 23/06/2010 European health group supports call for reducing exposure to BPA 06/05/2010 Cancer: MEPs urge prevention related to environmental causes. Open letters 06/2010 To: Mr Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council. Re EU’s ambitions with regard to climate change (Green 10 letter) 06/2010 To: Mr. Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment Cc.: Mr. Karl Falkenberg, Director-General, DG Environment, European Commission Re: NGO call for a prioritisation of air quality action (revision of the National Emission Ceilings and the Sulphur Content of Marine Fuels Directives) 05/2010 To: IMCO committee. NGO recommendations in view of the considerations in the ENVI-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocide regulation (COM 267). 04/2010 To: ENVI committee. NGO recommendations in view of the considerations in the ENVI-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocide regulation (COM 267). 04/2010 To: Members of the European Parliament Concerning: Plenary vote on the European Parliament Report on the European Commission White Paper: “Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action’ (COM (2009)0147 - 2009/2152 (INI)).” 04/2010 NGO vote recommendations in view of the vote in the ITRE-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocidal regulation (COM 267) Publications Pesticides and Health E-news – April 2010 Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - April/ May 2010 Conference and meetings 29th – 30th June EU Health Forum - "Together for Health – a Strategy for the EU 2020". Read more about HEAL’s involvement 21st- 22nd June – Lisette attended a two day DG Environment workshop on the cocktail effect entitled "the State of the Art Report on Mixture Toxicity", at the Commission meeting building in Brussels. The workshop discussed the DG Environment contracted study by Professor Andreas Kortenkamp, which informs potential next steps by DG Environment on how to address effects from combination exposures across the range of EU legislation on products, chemicals and environmental compartments. 18th June - Lisette participated in a Conference call to prepare the Joint NGO representative to the Chemicals Agency Management Board for the upcoming Board meeting. 15th – 17th June Lisette attended 5th Meeting of the Competent (Member State) Authorities for REACH and Classification, Labelling & Packaging of Hazardous Substances (acronym CARACAL). The meeting discussed ongoing REACH issues related to Authorisation, PBT criteria; nanomaterials; and many others. 15th 16th June: Diana attended conference of ESCAPE research project. 9th – 10th June Lisette participated in the 12th meeting of the Chemicals Agency Member State Committee, which dealt with new candidate list chemicals and priorities for authorization. 4th June: Lisette gave a presentation at conference on Health and environment: time to act, of the Association Internationale de la Mutualite. 28th May: Lisette, Genon, Diana organised and participated in a 1 day NGO meeting on the Environmental Health Movement in Europe. 5th May – Genon Jensen, Lisette van Vliet and Anne Stauffer attended a discussion in the European Parliament with Lester Brown of the Earth Policy Institute. 17th May – Anne Stauffer and Antonin Acquarone attended a reception for inclusion of Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU in EMAS register of Bruxelles capital region. 20th May - Pendo Maro, Diana Smith and Antonin Acquarone attended a press briefing on the Commission’s Communication for a 30% reduction of CO2 emissions. The briefing was hosted by the Climate Action Network. 28th April – Lisette attended a meeting with the European Environment Agency on the upcoming 5th yearly State of the Environment Report. |
| 08/06/2010 | European Child Safety Alliance (ECSA) Awarded Scholarship HEAL member, The European Child Safety Alliance (ECHA), has been awarded a scholarship for 20,000 pounds, by Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to develop child injury prevention impact statements based on quantitative evidence. By examining available national data and comparing injury rates to safety legislation in effect in those countries (for example, legislation regarding bicycle helmet use or fire alarms), the Alliance will develop statements which can be used to support the further uptake of preventive legislation in European countries. This project will provide a much needed series of European based impact statements which can be shared with key stakeholders and policy makers in order to make convincing arguments when advocating for adoption, implementation and enforcement of child injury prevention strategies. Joanne Vincenten and Morag MacKay, both of the European Child Safety Alliance, EuroSafe collect the BNFL scholarship award from RoSPA European Child Safety Alliance is a programme of the European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (EuroSafe). Direction for the programme is provided by a Steering Group (committee), composed of representatives of the 30 Member States of the European Union (observers also participate from EU applicant countries) and affiliated child injury prevention organisations. FInd out more about ECSA on the website. |
| 08/06/2010 | Sixty-third World Health Assembly closes after passing multiple resolutions The 63rd session of the annual World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 17 - 21 May 2010. The Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO, and is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States The delegates at the World Health Assembly adopted resolutions on a number of global health issues. Among the resolutions were two on the improvement of health through safe and environmentally sound waste management, and the improvement of health through effective management of obsolete pesticides and other chemicals. Both resolutions were adopted after delegations underscored the role the health sector plays in addressing chemicals of concern, and strengthening intersectoral action and partnerships. In addition, the delegations expressed the need to tackle problems such as electronic waste, hazardous pesticides and lead in paint. The resolutions call on countries to undertake a range of actions, including adopting policies, legislation and comprehensive national implementation plans; enhancing social responsibility through awareness-raising; regulating chemicals throughout their life-cycle to prevent accumulation of obsolete chemicals; and cooperating regionally and internationally to address problems. WHO Member States also reviewed progress achieved during the first year of implementing the Action Plan on Climate Change and Health. More than 2800 delegates attended the World Health Assembly this year. Source: WHO Public Health and Environment e-news |
| 08/06/2010 | Health and environment professionals gather at the EU Open Health Forum From the 29th to 30th June 2010, health professionals, patient organisations, NGOs and policy makers gathered in Brussels for the EU Open Health Forum. The annual Forum, aims to involve key health stakeholders in European health policy by providing a platform for knowledge-sharing. The theme for the fourth Open Health Forum conference was "Together for Health – a Strategy for the EU 2020". During the conference, HEAL and member organisation the European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Association (EFA) organised a workshop on Healthy Environments, entitled “Integrating Environment and Health policy towards better health”. Through this interactive session we aimed to: • Provide concrete policy examples and enable discussions with EU stakeholders on how and where public health objectives as integral part in EU environment policies can influence health of all EU citizens. • Engage the health community into a wider EU environment policy debate • Create recommendations to the Plenary session, particularly in relation to the prioritisation of issues within the next EU Action Plan on Environment and Health. The session was chaired by Marie Christine Dewolf, President, Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Marianella Salapatas, President, EFA, and moderated by David Stone, Principal Specialist Environment and Human Health, Natural England. The Rapporteur was Brian Ward, Policy Adviser, European Respiratory Society (ERS). Workshop speakers and participants expressed their support for a second EU Action Plan on Environment and Health as an overarching framework for environment and health work on EU, national and local level. They also highlighted the need for greater synergies with the WHO Environment and Health process, to increase health community and youth participation, and to translate research into ambitious action. Policy Recommendations from the workshop Integrating Environment and Health policy towards better health outcomes For a full overview of the workshop content please click here, or for the programme click here The presentations from the workshop are available here . |
| 08/06/2010 | Environment & Health policy update - May & June 2010 On 6th May, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the EU Partnership for Action against Cancer. The MEPs’ vote highlights the need to pay attention to the growing body of science that shows chemical pollution in our environment and work settings contributes to Europe’s high rates of cancer. More information Meanwhile in the US, environmental factors on cancer risk were also debated with the release of a report by the US President’s Cancer Panel. The panel was particularly concerned to find that the true burden of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated. More information. At their meeting on 11 June, EU Heads of State and Government adopted the Europe 2020 strategy, the 10 year strategy which is the follow up to the EU Lisbon strategy. Read more.... According to a new Eurobarometer, 46% of Europeans are very concerned about the potential health risks of Electromagnetic fields, and almost 60% believe that national public authorities do not do enough to protect them from the potential health risks of EMF. Read more HEAL’s ACTION ON ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH Prior to the European Parliament’s plenary vote on cancer, HEAL and other NGOs sent a letter to all MEPs reiterating our call to consider environmental factors in cancer prevention. Your can read the letter here. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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. |
| 15/03/2010 | HEAL action at Parma - DAILY UPDATES (March 2010) Ministers of health and the environment, experts and non-governmental organisations from the 53 WHO European countries gather this week in Parma to discuss progress on the Environment and Health process in Europe. The presence of experts and NGOs is of crucial importance to drive Europe’s agenda on emerging environmental health challenges for the years to come. Each day HEAL updated this page with the lastest news from the Parma conference. HEAL is leading a delegation of NGOs to the 5th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health of the WHO European Region, takeing place in Parma, Italy, this week. The health and environment NGO delegation was among 600 participants brought together to review progress on agreements by European ministers of health and environment, and make new pledges to improve people’s health and the environment. HEAL urged ministers to take action against emerging health and environment threats such as climate change, pesticides, hazardous chemicals and nano materials; highlighting areas where progress is slow; awarding winners of a nongovernmental good practice in children's environment and health competition; and highlighting why youth participation is so important in environmental health. Read more 10th March - 1st Day The conference opened today with a 1000 delegates – including ministers from over 27 countries throughout the European region. The opening plenary address was conducted jointly by the Italian minister for the Environment and the Italian minister for health. It’s encouraging to see such a huge and diverse NGO turnout – we estimate there are well over 100 individual organisations being represented here. Today, HEAL have been contributing to the process and shaping the discussion through two well attended side-events and continuing to highlight the work of the NGOs at national and international level through our exhibition stand. The latter has allowed for some very interesting debates during to coffee breaks. Thank you so much to all our members who have been helping staff the stand, if you haven’t visited us yet you can find us beside the standing coffee area. Side events 9 - 10.15 - Human Bio-monitoring and E and H policy Lisette (HEAL’s toxics policy officer) attended the symposium on how human-biomonitoring (HBM) supports environment and health policy. The session presented a forthcoming European feasibility study of mothers and children (funded by the EU). The work looked specifically at how HBM is being supported by the WHO Parma declaration and commitment to act. Really interesting discussion about how HBO can help us achieve environment and health goals in the EU and the wider European Region. 10.45-12.15 - Environmental influences on children's respiratory health Anne Stauffer (HEAL’s policy manager) was part of the panel discussion for the European Respiratory Society side event promoting the Year of the Lung campaign. Leading respiratory specialists talked about the increasing threat of climate change and air quality on lung health. Emerging messages- 1.Research shows us that preventative policies (inc. implementation of the WHO air quality guidelines) are needed now. 2. The health community needs to make their expertise know, medical professionals can influence policy in ways that others cannot. It seems that there is enough evidence to take action now! Lung health under threat from climate change and deteriorating air quality. Read the press release here. 10.45 - 12.15. - Youth Participation in the CEHAPE process Genon Jensen (HEAL’s executive director) was part of the panel for the symposium on youth participation. 5 youth representatives spoke of projects currently happening in their areas to actively improve environment and health – all really inspiring stories, illustrating just how much is possible to achieve community level. There were some brilliant films too – all of which are available here. The session was packed out, it was a brilliant opportunity to really gain a better understanding of the capacity of young people and how important their work is to their community and the wider decision-making processes – keep up the great work! Thursday 11th - 2nd Day 8.30 – 10 CEHAPE Awards for good practice in environment and health. The winners have been announced – spirits are high! Awards were presented by ministers European ministers in a fantastically upbeat session - all to the theme tune from Star trek! Such inspiring projects from all corners of the European region. You can read the PR here. We also now have copies of the Awards booklet. You can watch the video of the CEHAPE awards ceremony here Many congratulations again to all the winning projects. Information about all of them will be available on the CEHAPE website shortly. 18.00 - 19.30 BPA raised at EFSA symposium: At a side event in Parma on Thursday evening organised by the European Food Safety Authority and World Health Organization (WHO), the results of a cost-benefit analysis of eating fish were discussed. This gave HEAL member, Andre Cicolella, RES, an opportunity to ask why the adverse health effects of Bisphenol A, an endocrine disrupting chemical, had not been considered in this analysis. Anyone eating canned fish would be exposed to BPA, which is found in the synthetic lining of tins. He called on the EFSA to address the human data showing that fetal contamination takes place through maternal exposure to BPA. We are currently compiling a full update from Parma for the Editorial of the March edition of HEAL news. Watch this space! Photos from Parma WHO Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health WHO Publications: "The Journey to Parma: a tale of 20 years of environment and health action in Europe," WHO Europe, March 2010, with contributions from Genon Jensen, HEAL and Sascha Gabizon, Women in Europe for a Common Future. The Future of the European Environment and Health Process, from Frankfurt to Parman and beyond – Roadmap for the future for the European Environment and Health Process. European framework for action on health and climate change. WHO advocates for policy makers to protect people's health from the health hazards associated with climate change. Background on NGO involvement in CEHAPE |
| 08/03/2010 | Youth participation at Parma Young people from seventeen countries of the World health Organization’s European Region met in Brussels in January to build capacity for youth involvement in the upcoming WHO Environment and health conference. Twenty youth representatives met in the HEAL offices in early January for a preparatory seminar in the run up to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 5th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health to be hosted by the Italian Ministry of Health in Parma, 10-12th of March 2010. This Ministerial will discuss progress towards the achievement of the Children's Environment and Health Action Plan (CEHAPE). Since the 2004 Ministerial, young people have been officially part of the WHO CEHAPE process. The two and half day seminar in Brussels was organised by the CEHAPE youth representatives, and facilitated by the European Youth Forum. Bringing together this diverse mix of young people enabled them to discuss the draft text of the Declaration that focused on children’s environmental health and to brainstorm on the questions they could be ask Ministers during the CEHAPE Good Practice Award and panel discussion on March 11 in Parma.. The event was organised with financial support of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO). This workshop resulted in increased capacity of this core CEHAPE youth group, who will be coming to Parma to help organise and foster the youth involvement in the Ministerial Conference. About CEHAPE CEHAPE was adopted by European Ministers in 2004 at the Fourth Conference on Environment and Health. Currently, CEHAPE addresses the environmental risk factors that most affect the health of European children, the main commitments focus on four regional priority goals (RPGs) for Europe (to ensure; safe water and adequate sanitation; protection from injuries and adequate physical activity; clean outdoor and indoor air and to aim at chemical-free environments). This coming Ministerial in Parma will discuss progress towards the achievement of these goals, in the context of recent developments such as financial constraints, broader socioeconomic and gender inequalities and more frequent extreme climate events. By addressing environmental risk factors, the CEHAPE covers two of the seven priorities within the comprehensive WHO European strategy on child and adolescent health and development. |
| 08/03/2010 | Health impacts of air pollution need to be communicated more effectively Reductions in air pollution in European cities significantly reduce the number of premature deaths, according to researchers. However, these results need to be communicated effectively to policy makers in order to have an impact. One of the four main target areas of the EU’s Sixth Environment Action Programme (EAP) is Environment and Health, which includes air pollution. The EU Air Quality Directive has set new air quality objectives for particulate matter 2.5. The EU supported Apheis project (Air Pollution and Health – A European Information System) started in 1999 to track the effects of air pollution on health in 26 European cities. It also tracked how results are communicated to policy makers to better understand how research findings are converted into action. The project used indicators, such as premature death and life expectancy, for a health impact assessment (HIA) of PM10 and PM2.5. It identified 26 urban centres that could implement these HIAs. To analyse the path of communication between research findings and policy, the researchers interviewed 32 individuals involved in air pollution and health policy in the UK and Spain. The research on the communication to policy makers indicated that policy advisors and makers are generally unlikely to use standard scientific reports. A long complex chain of many players leads from the scientists to the policy makers. On the basis of this a strategy was developed to communicate Apheis’s findings along the whole chain. It suggested that research findings should be shaped to the different needs of scientific and policy users. For example, policy users tend to require distilled information with clear messages and implications for policy. This could be done with a range of communications tools beyond scientific reports, such as summary reports, interviews, brochures, presentations and Q&As. By ensuring a firm link to policy, important research findings on air pollution may have a greater impact. Source: Science for Environment Policy HEAL member, Dr.Hanns Moshammer (Internation Society of Doctors for the Environment, ISDE Austria) is a partner of Aphekom, a project designed specifically to improve knowledge and communication for decision making on air pollution and health in Europe. The Aphekom project develops and delivers new, reliable and actionable information and tools so decision makers can set more effective local and European policies; health professionals can better advise vulnerable groups; and individuals can make better-informed decisions. During the project’s two and a half years the tasks of Aphekom's more than 60 scientists and specialists working in 25 cities across Europe include: - Developing new health-impact indicators with a special focus on traffic given the latest findings on the dangers of living near roads. - Reporting on health impacts and related costs. Evaluating strategies designed to reduce air pollution. - Stimulating dialogue between stakeholders. - Providing guidance to health professionals on helping patients reduce their exposure to air pollution. In all these ways the project hopes to contribute to the development and evolution of local and European policies aimed at reducing both air pollution and its impact on respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality across Europe. Read more about Aphekom |
| 08/03/2010 | Air quality and health policy update - March 2010 Air Quality and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer. The European Commission is pursuing infringement procedures against 5 Member States for failure to comply with the Air Quality Standards on PM10. Final written warnings have been sent to Cyprus, Portugal and Spain, while Slovenia and Sweden have been referred to the European Court of Justice. HEAL and HEAL members’ action on air quality and health. During the Parma WHO 5th ministerial conference on environment and health HEAL coordinated a symposium on behalf of the European Respiratory Society, ERS - 10 March, 10.45-12.15. The title of the symposium was Environmental influences on children's respiratory health. The purpose of this workshop was to focus on the key environmental factors that influence children’s respiratory health (environmental factors in outdoor and indoor air: traffic, industrial installations, pollen and other allergens, environmental tobacco smoke etc) and highlight linkages to policy such as the Parma Ministerial Declaration, CEHAPE and the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health. The medical and scientific evidence was presented and also the necessary policy recommendations and responses required to ensure an adequate protection of children’s health. The workshop aimed to focus on the particular situation of children’s lung health in Europe, where morbidity from respiratory conditions is expected to increase if adequate policy responses are not taken. The meeting was attended by 50 participants, including WHO representatives and decision-makers from national environment or health ministries. It was very successful in giving visibility to the ERS work and activities on air quality. During the meeting, WHO and other stakeholders underlined the importance of ERS bringing its expertise and voice to the political discussions on air quality, and the need to increase this input into policy discussions. The symposium was part of the wider campaign – The European Launch of the Year of the Lung 2010 launched in Marseille on February 1st by ERS. Hundreds of millions of people suffer every day from lung diseases, and they cause almost 20% of all deaths in the world. Increased awareness about lung diseases is vital, because they are killing more and more people every year and account for a socioeconomic burden of €102 billion due to health care costs and lost working days in Europe alone. The ‘Big Five’ lung disorders are lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB) and asthma. Read the press release here. Join the Year of the Lung initiative. Know You Air For Health website translated into French and Czech. The website, coordinated by HEAL and member organisation, European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Association (EFA). The website provides citizens with information on national and local air pollution in Europe. It also offers useful links and references on how to find information about action aimed at improving air quality at the national level and in your local area. The text is particularly intended to meet the needs of those considered susceptible to air pollution. The new translations will be live on Friday 26th . |
| 08/03/2010 | Climate change and health policy update – March 2010 Climate change and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Pendo Maro, pendo@env-health.org On 15th March, EU Environment Ministers adopted Council Conclusions on Climate Change, as a follow up to the UN Copenhagen Climate Conference in December. Unfortunately the EU is not considering the health benefits and costs savings of higher carbon emission reductions, and has not changed its position to commit to reducing carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 (compared to 1990) and their conditional offer to move to a 30% reduction if other countries commit themselves comparably or adequately. On 16 March, the EP’s Environment Committee in its vote on the EU White Paper on Adapting to Climate Change acknowledged the threats of climate change to health, and strengthened health protection and the role of the health sector in adaptation. The ENVI report will be voted in plenary in the week of 19th April. HEAL and our member organisation, Health Care Without Harm Europe, welcome this move to strengthen health protection and include the health co-benefits in adaptation policy. Read the joint NGO letter sent to the ENVI committee prior to the vote - Strengthen health protection and include health co-benefits in adaptation policy WHO Fifth Ministerial on Environment and Health, Parma, Italy, 2010. Ministers and Representatives of 53 Member States in the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) responsible for health and the environment, called on agencies to create a platform for the sharing of best practices, research, data, information, technology and tools focused on health and climate change. Ministers also welcomed the new regional framework for action entitled Protecting health in an environment challenged by climate change and recommend that the approaches described in it are used to support action in this area. HEAL Action on climate change and health Intervention on climate change and health during the Parma conference. HEAL told the plenary on climate change at Parma ministerial meeting about the "good news" on climate change. To the Assembly of about 500 people, we welcomed the increased political commitment on climate change and health, and the WHO European Regional Framework for Action on climate change, known as the "Road Map", and highlighted the increasing mobilisation of the health community through the campaign Prescription for a Healthy Planet. You can read our full intervention here Your Action Sign the Prescription For a Healthy Planet as an individual or organisation - and encourage others in your network to do so too. Sign up here.... Already, over 100 health organisations and 120 individuals have signed up to the campaign, this number continues to rise daily – see the list of endorsers on the new website Ask your MEP to support health in their plenary vote on the EU White Paper on Adapting to Climate Change. For more information please contact Pendo@env-health.org. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter |
| 08/03/2010 | Climate change and communicable diseases European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) last week launched a new handbook for national vulnerability, impact and adaptation assessments. Climate change and communicable diseases in the EU Member States was lunched at a side event at the WHO 5th Ministerial on Environment and Health in Parma last week by Chief Scientist Professor Johan Giesecke of the ECDC. Climate change has already had measurable effects on the varied climates of Europe and further changes are anticipated. The transmission patterns of communicable diseases are influenced by many factors, including climatic and ecological elements. It is widely anticipated that climate change will impact the spread of communicable diseases in Europe. In some instances these impacts will be favourable, but in many cases they will pose new threats to public health. The handbook has been developed as a resource to encourage planning activities that anticipate and address the possible impact of climate change on communicable disease spread. Informed by current climate change science, the handbook suggests various processes and important points for consideration when conducting vulnerability assessments and developing adaptation strategies for climate change. Many countries have already developed climate change vulnerability assessments and/or adaptation strategies. The handbook is based on best practices and experiences from not only in Europe, but also from assessments undertaken in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. Although the content and context of vulnerability and adaptation assessments will necessarily vary from country to country and region to region, the process is fundamentally similar. This handbook stresses a methodology that involves as many different stakeholders as is feasible, is iterative in nature, and is carefully managed throughout all phases. Identifying potential vulnerabilities first requires describing the current situation, including demographic and socio-economic factors, health systems, epidemiologic factors, and information from non-health sectors. With careful analysis, priority diseases and vulnerable groups can be identified. These findings can then inform public health adaptation programs that strategically leverage existing strengths and mitigate the future weaknesses of health systems. Download the handbook here Know more about infectious diseases and climate change Other reports of interest: Climate Change: Threats to health A World Vision Report Over recent years climate change has emerged as a new driver of malnutrition. In the wake of the 2008 food crisis, the number of children with this life-threatening condition escalated, increasing mortality rates by 5-20 times. The climate emergency is poised to exacerbate children's risk to physical injury, malnutrition and infection. For decades World Vision has worked with developing communities to help them carry an already heavy health burden from malnutrition, diarrhoea and vector-borne diseases. With climate change threatening to unravel decades of development, efforts to curb existing vulnerabilities and mainstream child-focused adaptation into development programming must be urgently stepped up. Ultimately the success of humanity adapting to a continually changing environment will be intrinsically tied to protecting the life of children. Download the report here Climate Change and Children A Unicef report The report examines the effects of climate change on children – and examines how climate change has evolved from an ‘environmental’ issue into one that requires collective expertise in sustainable development, energy security, and the health and well-being of children. Young people speak directly through comments and letters collected by UNICEF’s Voices of Youth, child delegates to the 2007 UNEP African Regional Children’s Conference for the Environment and the 2007 World Scout Jamboree, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme. Download the report here |
| 08/03/2010 | Week Without Pesticides, 20th - 30th March 2010 The 20th of March saw the start off the International Week Without Pesticides. The campaign, which started in France four years ago, aims to raise awareness of the risks to health and the environment poised by pesticides and to highlight alternative solutions. With the continuing success of the French campaign, the movement expands to new countries throughout Europe every year. There are now actions and events taking place across Belgium, Macedonia, Hungary as well as parts of Africa, including Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania and Togo to highlight the numerous alternatives to pesticide use. Below is some more information about the French and Belgian campaigns. If you have news of actions in your country please let us know (send Gill an email gill@env-health.org) . The French campaign The French week is coordinated by Action Citizen for Alternatives to Pesticides (ACAP), a network of 170 organisations coordinated by HEAL members, MDRGF. Over 600 events are planned over the ten days, and this year for the first time all regions of France will take part - with over 70 actions in Brittany, and 50 in PACA and Alsace. The French campaign will focus on pesticide use in gardens, there will be workshops and visits to organic gardens. All the actions organised during the Week will be available on www.semaine-sans-pesticides.fr. The Belgian Campaign HEAL member, Pesticide Action Network Europe is organising a series of events in the Brussels, the Belgian Capital. There will be a week-long exhibition during the European Economic and Social Committee showcasing alternative to pesticide use and good practice examples. HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides Campaign will also be exhibiting too. On Thursday 25th March, there will be a seminar on the future for integrated production, featuring speakers from the European Commission, industry and NGOs. This will be followed by a drinks reception, with cheese and honey tasting, an exhibition on integrated production, and the launch of a bee-friendly competition for Europe’s farmers. For more information on the week in Brussels click here The Wallonian region of Belgium are also running many events. They started the Week Without Pasticides back in 2008 and it has grown year on year. The 2010 week looks to jam-packed with events, seminars for schools and families. For more information about the Wallonie week click here. |
| 08/03/2010 | Pesticides are poisoning Indonesia’s farmers, new research reveals During the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum last month, the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PANAP) released its report revealing hazardous pesticide use in many parts of Asia. The report, 'Communities in Peril: Asian Regional Report on Community Monitoring of Highly Hazardous Pesticide Use' uses information from interviews on pesticide use with over 1,300 peasant farmers and agricultural workers from eight Asian countries* in collaboration with local partner organizations. The results revealed that 66% of pesticide active ingredients used on vegetables, cotton, paddy rice, and other crops are highly hazardous according to PAN International classification criteria. “Exposure to these pesticides puts communities at high risk of developing severe permanent health problems such as endocrine disruption, which can be caused at low doses of exposure to certain pesticides,” said Bella Whittle, coordinator of the project and author of the report. “It is especially distressing that the most vulnerable populations, such as women and children, the sick and malnourished, and the elderly are disproportionately affected and cannot escape the sources of exposure.” Several pesticides found in the Asian countries have been banned in other areas of the world, even the countries that house the agrochemical companies’ headquarters. For instance, Paraquat is banned in Europe. The report observes that people are exposed to the harmful chemicals for a variety of reasons: partial, inadequate or complete lack of personal protective equipment; spills during mixing, spraying, and/or loading of the pesticides; poor storage and disposal practices; and spraying against the wind, which facilitates spray drift. It is also common to find empty containers in the agricultural fields. Water is contaminated by chemical runo-ff and by washing equipment in local water bodies. The report concludes that huge efforts are needed to implement international codes and conventions on pesticides and to meet the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation goal for 2020, whereby chemicals are produced in ways that lead to the minimisation of significant effects to human health and the environment. The report offers recommendations to alleviate the worst pesticides problems in developing countries, particularly in Asia, including the reduction and elimination of highly hazardous pesticides and putting a stop to government registration of pesticides that require personal protective equipment (PPE) because of its inadequacy and cost, making proper use unfeasible. “Governments should phase out highly hazardous pesticides and progressively phase-in non-chemical pest management approaches,” said PAN AP Executive Director Sarojeni Rengam. “Support needs to focus on the investigation, education, and promotion of agro-ecological practices, Biodiversity Based Ecological Agriculture and Integrated Pest Management.” More details on the recommendations and alternatives to chemical based agriculture are given in the report. *Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Download the report in low resolution PDF (2MB) Read more about PAN AP HEAL Sick of Pesticides campaign Pesticide "victims" fight for justice In defense of citizens’ voices; French courts rule in favour of environment group’s legal suit on pesticides in wine |
| 08/03/2010 | Pesticides and health policy update - March 2010 Pesticides and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer, anne@env-health.org On 23rd February, The European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) discussed the draft report on the EU Biocides law by rapporteur Christa Klass (PPE, Germany). In the debate, Members of the ENVI Committee stressed the need to improve the Commission proposal and the rapporteur’s draft report to better protect health and the environment. On 10th February the UK government launched a public consultation on the implementation of the EU Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. HEAL welcomes this consultation as it could help to create a new approach to pesticide management in the UK, especially when it comes to establishing pesticide-free areas and supporting substitution. The deadline for comments is 4 May. HEAL’s action on pesticides and health HEAL together with Pesticide Action Network and other partners sent a letter to MEPs before the Biocides discussion, urging them to introduce changes to ensure the comprehensive phasing-out of hazardous substances, a low-risk approach without loopholes, the better protection of vulnerable groups, and other crucial issues. The ENVI Committee is scheduled to vote on the draft report at the end of April. Read the joint NGO letter here. Your Action Have your say: The public consultation on the implementation of the EU Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides has the potential to lay down the ground work for an overhaul and re-evaluation of the way in which the use of pesticides is controlled in the UK. The Consultation will run from 9th February until the 4th May 2010 and is open to anyone to make comments and suggestions. The details of the consultation can be found here. The Directive gives a number of options for the UK Government that could lead to greater protection for people and the environment if adopted, Proposed measures include: implementing a system of prior notification to inform residents before pesticide spraying begins; a ban on pesticide use in areas frequented by vulnerable groups such as schools, hospitals and playgrounds; and the promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). |
| 08/03/2010 | Eight more chemicals proposed for REACH ‘most harmful’ list The European chemicals agency has published proposals for eight chemicals to be placed on the EU chemicals legislation REACH’s most harmful list. The proposals are open for public comment until 22 April 2010. Denmark, France and Germany have proposed eight more chemicals, including tricholoroethylene and boric acid, due to their cancer-causing, gene mutating or reproduction damaging effects, for REACH’s most harmful list. Some of the eight chemicals are used in industrial processes, but also in some cases in consumer products. For instance, boric acid is used in biocides, and Anhydrous Disodium Tetraborate is used in detergents, cleaners, personal care products, biocides and as a flame retardant. After the public consultation on each of the proposed chemicals, they are subsequently considered and agreed or rejected in the European Chemical Agency’s Member State Committee. If adopted, they are placed on the REACH ‘most harmful’ or so-called Candidate List. The Candidate List currently contains 29 chemicals. Once a chemical has been officially placed on the candidate list, the European public has a right to know about the presence of these chemicals in products they buy, when they ask. Companies are obliged to respond to consumer right-to-know queries within 45 days of receiving the request, at no charge. Any member of the European public can ask whether a candidate substance is in a product they are buying or considering buying, by submitting a letter such as the model one in the Your Right to Know brochure. Nearly three years after the REACH system has started, the number of chemicals being proposed for the twice yearly deadline has declined. |
| 08/03/2010 | Chemicals and health policy update - March 2010 Chemicals and Health, and Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more details, please contact Lisette@env-health.org. The cocktail effect. The European Commission’s Directorate General on Environment has launched its study on the mixtures of chemicals to which humans, animals and the environment are continually exposed and what is known about ‘cocktail’ effects. This study, which examines the state of toxicological science on mixtures and how they are dealt with in EU regulations, is open to public comment until the 30th April 2010 (see Your Action below for details.) More REACH ‘high concern’ chemicals. The European Chemicals Agency has opened the public comment phase on the proposed addition of 8 new chemicals to Europe’s ‘most harmful’ list: the ‘Candidate List’ of substances of very high concern. Two of the chemicals are trichloroethylene and boric acid. Details can be found here Governance of REACH implementation. The European Commission convened the 4th Meeting of the Competent Authorities (Representatives from Member State ministries responsible for chemicals) for REACH and CLP (classification, labeling & packaging of hazardous substances). Topics of interest at this meeting for HEAL were developments on the identification criteria for PBTs (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals) to be used under REACH; the regulatory treatment of Deca BDE; phthalates; mercury in measuring instruments, numerous other chemicals, and the combination effects of chemicals. Public Access to Information about chemicals registered under REACH. The 3rd meeting of the European Chemicals Agency Management Board’s Advisory Group on Data Dissemination (of public information on chemical substances from REACH registration dossiers) in Helsinki was attended by the joint NGOs Representative. This Advisory Group looks at how ECHA deals with the dissemination of information submitted for chemicals registered under REACH, particularly how that data will be made easily available to the public on the ECHA website, and under what criterion a registering company’s request for confidentiality of some of the data will be accepted. Chemicals in food contact materials. The European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety had a brief exchange on chemicals in food contact materials. Green MEP Staes posed questions which were answered by officials from the European Commission. More information can be found here The Commission is preparing a draft regulation that will combine several existing laws, and will pass it onto the European Parliament in due course. HEAL’s action on chemicals and health HEAL submitted a response to the European Commission’s public consultation on its Nanotechnology Action Plan 2010-2015 via the internet. HEAL put out an information release on the DG Environment study on the mixtures of chemicals and the opportunity for public input, which was covered in various media. Read the info release. HEAL continues to circulate the information to various networks. HEAL, alongside WECF and EEB, have issued a joint position paper on hazardous chemicals in electric and electronic goods (ROHS), which has been given to European Parliamentarians in the Environment Committee, to inform their amendments to the draft Parliament report, and the exchange of views on April 7th. Read the position paper here Your action Submit comments to DG Environment on the cocktail effect / mixtures toxicity study. Aside from scientific comments on the study, you can also submit comments of support for further investigation into regulatory action in this area. For details, see the “In Focus” Section of the Chemicals Health Monitor homepage. Write to your Members of Parliament concerning the hazardous chemicals in electric and electronic goods (ROHS), prior to Committee discussion on 7th April. For more details and names of key MEPs, and a copy of the joint NGO position paper, please contact Lisette@env-health.org Your Right to Know Ask companies: The candidate list now includes 29 chemicals in total. You can contact companies and ask retailers, using our ‘right to know’ model letter (8 languages), to find out which of these most harmful chemicals are in products you buy or have bought. For more information, please click here. Ask your Government. The list of most harmful chemicals is growing far too slowly, hampering your full right to know about toxics in consumer products. You can help get more chemicals regulated under REACH, and strengthen the Right to Know by urging your government to nominate harmful chemicals. Use our model letter here to contact the relevant ministry in your country (our list has details for all 27 Member States). The ministries are deciding now for the next deadline in early August, so now is a good time to contact them. or more information, please click here. |
| 08/03/2010 | Mercury and health policy update - March 2010 Mercury and health policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more details, please contact Lisette@env-health.org On the 16th March, The European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) voted on the EC Proposed regulation on the provision on food information to consumers – the Sommer report. The committee rejected a proposed change to the legislation on food information to consumers to ensure that fish and fish products are labeled indicating methylmercury content, and warning vulnerable groups. HEAL and the Zero Mercury Working Group sent a joint letter to Members of the ENVI committee urging them to support the amendment. HEAL is disappointed that the ENVI rejected this change, and thus the opportunity to inform consumers, particularly pregnant or breastfeeding women, future mothers, and those feeding children, when one of the most toxic substances known to humankind is present in fish or seafood. Your Action Find out more about mercury levels in fish and how you can protect yourself by downloading the factsheet Mercury and fist consumption in several EU languages, published as part of our Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury campaign. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/03/2010 | HEAL Secretariat News March 2010 Staff changes This month we say goodbye to Alina Bezhenar, our Health and Environment Youth Coordinator. Alina Bezhenar joined us for six months as a CEHAPE youth delegate for WHO. Along with other youth from across the European region, she has helped provide meaningful consultation and contribution by the youth for the 5th Ministerial Conference in March in Parma, Italy. We wish her the best of luck in her future plans. From March, Gill Erskine will take on the newly created post Campaign and Communications Officer. Gill will be the first point of contact for HEAL members and will be coordinating HEAL's communication services - such as the newsletters, the websites and publications. Gill will also provide support to our campaigns and projects. HEAL is recruiting! HEAL has two openings for internships this summer. 1. Research and Policy Intern - Chemicals The successful candidate will work closely with the HEAL Toxics Policy Advisor, on EU chemicals policy. For the full job description click here 2. HEAL is recruiting a Research and Policy Intern – Climate Change The successful candidate will work closely with the joint HEAL/Health Care Without Harm Senior Policy Advisor on EU Climate change and health policy. For the full job description click here Press releases 11/03/2010 Competition rewards environmental projects that save children’s lives Also available in French , Russian, Dutch. 10/03/2010 Lung health under threat from climate change and deteriorating air quality 08/03/2010 HEAL takes part in ministerial talks on children’s health in Parma 12/02/2010 Study charts path for better protection from harmful "chemical mixtures" Open Letters and position papers To: Members of the European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI Committee) Concerning: Proposals to amend the European Parliament draft report on the “Commission White Paper: ‘Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action’ (2009/2152 (INI)).” Joint NGO Position on Draft report of European Parliament – Rapporteur Christa Klaß (EPP) in view of the Commission proposal for a regulation concerning the placing on the market and use of biocidal products. To: ENVI Committee: Environment and Health NGOs’ comments on labelling of foodstuffs: Environment Committee’s report on the proposed regulation on food information to consumers. To: The President of the European Commission Concerning: Europe’s emissions reduction target to the UNFCCC Secretariat.. To: Spanish Presidency of the EU Concerning: Europe’s emissions reduction target to the UNFCCC Secretariat. Response by the EU Civil Society Contact Group to the EC Consultation on the Green Paper on a European Citizens' Initiative Publications HEAL brochure: Better health through a healthy environment. Also available in Russian, Italian, German and French. CEHAPE Awards 2010 Pesticides and Health E-News - February 2010 Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin Conference and meetings 2 – 3rd February Lisette van Vliet participated in the Competent Authorities for REACH and Classification, Labelling & Packaging of Hazardous Substances. This group meets around 3 times per year to discuss REACH implementation issues. In this meeting, HEAL attended to receive information about developments on the criteria for PBT chemicals which will be used under REACH to identify chemicals of very high concern; developments on the regulatory treatment of Deca BDE; phthalates; Cadmium and the combination effects of chemicals. 10th February – NGO Management Board Representative, Dr. Martin Fuehr, attended the meeting of ECHA Management Board Working Group on Data Dissemination, in Helsinki. This Working Group is looking at how ECHA deals with the dissemination of information submitted to ECHA for chemicals registered under REACH, particularly how that data will be made easily available to the public on the ECHA website, and under what criterion a registering company’s request for confidentiality of some of the data will be accepted. 23rd February – Anne Stauffer attended a dinner in the European Parliament “Health and Environment – Preparing for Parma” organized by the Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea of Italy, in collaboration with the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe. 25th February - Genon Jensen gave a presentation on NGO involvement in children’s environment and health during the seminar, “Parme un enjeu pour les jeunes” organised by the Appel de Jeunesse in the French National Assembly. Diana Smith also attended the press conference. 26th February Gill Erskine and Pendo Maro attended as lunch time session hoseted by the European Climate Foundation entitled, ‘Using social surveys and behavioural economics to address climate change: Uncovering trends in public opinions’. 4th March Lisette attended the Health Questioning expertise - conflicts of interest and deficient evaluation conference at the European Parliament. She gave a presentation entitled: Bisphenol A: a perspective from a European environmental health NGO. 10th – 12th March The HEAL secretariat participated in the WHO 5th Ministerial conference on environment and health in Parma, Italy. HEAL lead a delegation of NGO representatives, participated in side-events and had a exhibition stand displaying all HEAL and members projects. |
| 08/03/2010 | French youth action at Parma Appel de la Jeunesse (Youth call to action) held the first youth and decision-maker conference on health and environment in the National Assembly in Paris on Thursday 26 February in preparation for the Parma conference. Martin Rieussec and Pascal Conges of the Collectif Appel de la Jeunesse have been part of the Europe-wide development of a declaration that was signed in Parma by the ministers of health and environment present at the meeting. The five associations which make up the Appel de la Jeunesse collective include an association for osteopath students (Regards Croises) who recently organised a conference on the causes of cancer following the death of one of their fellow students. They discovered that the causes of the illness were inked to an industrialised food chain, intensive agriculture, pollution, different types of ionising radiation and so on. The collectif aims to bring together student organisations and young people interested in health and environment and encourage lifestyles and consumerism that is respectful of health, societies and ecosystems. Martin Rieussec, President of the Collectif Appel de la Jeunesse and founder of Regards Croises told the meeting: "We do not think that our generation et those to come can be in good health on a sick planet." Addressing the launch event, Genon Jensen, Executive Director of HEAL welcomed the new group as an important contributor to raising awareness on environment and health for future generations. Members of the scientific advisory group for Collectif Appel de la Jeuness include Andre Cicolella, Reseau Environnnement Sante and Dominique Belpomme, ARTAC, both organisations are HEAL members. In preparation for Parma, Appel de la Jeunesse made this short video to highlight young people role in the decision making process. Contact: Martin Rieussec, President, martinrieussec@gmail.com, www.appeldelajeunesse.org |
| 08/03/2010 | Eye On Earth — Citizen observatory on air and bathing water quality Ever wondered if the water in your area is safe to swim in? Or what the air quality is like on your route to work? Thanks to an innovative new communications platform, millions of citizens throughout Europe can access environmental data from their area as well as update the information themselves. Eye on Earth is a two-way communication platform on the environment which brings together environmental data and scientific information with feedback and observations of millions of ordinary people. Individuals can view air and bathing water quality for the majority of Europe as well as provide your feedback. You can even receive updates via your mobile phone and share this data with friends and family using a number of social networking sites. Check out Eye On Earth |
| 08/03/2010 | Environment and health policy update - March 2010 Environment and Health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer. On 3rd March the European Commission published its 2020 Strategy that sets out a vision of Europe's social market economy for the 21st century. Five headline targets for 2020 are proposed: meeting the EU’s energy efficiency and climate targets; increasingly employment to 75%; increasing investment for research to 3%, reducing those living in poverty by 20 million, and increasing number and levels of young people completing education. The Commission has requested the European Council to adopt themes and targets during its Spring Council. The WHO European Region Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health attracted over 1000 participants from across 53 countries, and adopted a Ministerial Declaration and Commitment to Act, as well as a proposed new structure to bring increased political support for the Environment and Health process. The European Commission presented its Declaration, and Health Commissioner Dalli gave a speech on the closing day, highlighting that a significant portion of Europeans suffer from health problems linked to the environment. A series of side events highlighted EU initiatives on children’s environment and health research, biomonitoring, EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade gave one of the closing speeches showcasing the new platform. The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety discussed the Parliament’s Report on Action Against Cancer (the European Partnership) on February 23rd. The Committee will vote on the draft Report and amendments on 6 April. HEAL’s action on environment and health Health took part in the Parma ministerial. Over 80 NGOs took part in WHO Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health. It provided a very important opportunity to contribute to the discussions, share expertise and highlight where action is needed. HEAL coordinated a delegation of 20 health non-governmental, professional and patient organisations at the conference. For a full update of HEAL activities in Parma please read this month’s editorial. HEAL discussed with Members of the European Parliament possible improvements to the Report on Action Against Cancer to ensure better recognition of environmental factors in cancer, and opportunities for primary prevention of such environmental risk factors. Recent media coverage on HEAL and environment and health. HEAL in the media Your Action Write to your Members of Parliament concerning the Report on Action against Cancer, urging them to take environmental factors better into account, to use a definition of environmental factors that includes hazardous chemicals indoors and outdoors to which people are unwittingly and involuntarily exposed, including endocrine disruptors. For more details and names of key MEPs, please contact Lisette. Spread the word: the outcomes of the Parma ministerial. We encourage you to widely disseminate the outcomes from Parma to your networks and national partners, Please contact Anne Stauffer for more information. |
| 08/03/2010 | Parma ministerial: positive discussions but little sense of urgency The Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, which took place in Parma, Italy, 10-12 March 2010 created a major opportunity for policy makers from the 53 Member States of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to discuss how environmental factors are affecting health. Zsuzsanna Jakab, the new Regional Director for WHO Europe told the meeting that environment and health would be one of her priorities, and that bringing environmental factors to the public health agenda could help re-invigorate it. She stressed that it was now time to stop talking and to move to action. The Pan European process on Environment and Health began in 1989, and is credited with putting environment and health on the national agendas of many WHO member states as well as spearheading international discussions and agreements in other regions, such as the Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan CEHAPE. The Fifth Ministerial meeting agreed a new institutional framework for the process, from 2010 until the Sixth Ministerial in 2016, including a mid-term review and a new ministerial board which will meet annually. This has the potential to bring more political weight to pressing environment and health issues. In addition, some targets and timelines for achievements have been set on the regional priority goals for children’s environmental health, and the health impact of climate change and environmental inequalities are also now firmly on the agenda. But what was missing in Parma was any strong sense of urgency about deteriorating public health in Europe as a result of environmental conditions. Children's health is under serious threat: child cancer rates are increasing by more than one per cent each year, and climate change will push up rates of the traditional child killers - respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases (see press release for the CEHAPE good practice awards). Yet few ministers spoke with real recognition that we are facing a crisis in public health. The winners of the CEHAPE Awards for good practice in Environment and Health. Find out more about the winning projects here Chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and long-term respiratory diseases, are rising in both children and adults in Europe; environmental factors contribute significantly to all these conditions. Chronic illness now represents more than 80% of the overall health burden in Europe and is a huge factor in national health spending. Yet serious attention is still not being given to the known opportunities for reducing chronic conditions through policies addressing air and chemical pollution as a minimum. (See the intervention by André Cicolella) HEAL and other health and medical organisations recognise their own need to strengthen advocacy and communication work to further support the Environment and Health process. We, as the health community, especially want to promote our capacity to monitor how environmental laws, such as air quality or pesticides, are made and implemented – at EU, national and local levels. The necessary political will to tackle the environmental causes of chronic diseases and to promote sustainable development can only be achieved by building voices, especially among medical professionals, youth and other non-governmental groups, who can share their messages with politicians and policy makers. It is also vital that the public become fully awareness about failures in meeting targets on reducing harmful environmental exposures and how this is linked to their own health so that the resulting public concerns are brought to governments. For example, politicians need to act on concerns over Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor. The youth delegation in Parma have asked governments to remove BPA from baby bottles. The crisis in children's health on the one hand and the positive health benefits to be reaped by reducing environmental pollution on the other is such that the Parma meeting should have attracted as much attention as the Copenhagen talks on climate change in December last year. In reality, most people outside Italy did not even hear about it. Although media coverage of the meeting was strong in Parma and nationally, it was patchy in other European countries. Nevertheless, the ministerial did provide an excellent opportunity for policy makers to discuss how environmental change could improve health - and it did spotlight the new WHO Europe Regional Director Zsuzsanna Jakab as a committed and determined champion. In the final press release, Dr Jakab said she felt that Parma had "opened an exciting new chapter" on environment and health. The closing message quoted EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli recognising both the problem and identifying those likely to be most harmed. "A significant proportion of Europeans suffers from health problems linked to environmental conditions. Vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women and socially disadvantaged people are particularly affected," he said. Follow up documents from Parma Parma Declaration on Environment and Health WHO Press release 12 March 2010 European governments adopt comprehensive plan to reduce environmental risks to health by 2020. Governments from across Europe signed a declaration today at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, pledging to reduce the adverse health impact of environmental threats in the next decade. “Protecting health in an environment challenged by climate change: European Regional Framework for Action” which was developed by the Climate change and health task force of the WHO European Region in which HEAL participated, with input from national experts. Speeches: Closing address: Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General European Commissioner Dalli’s speech. The Health Commissioner’s review post Parma Developing healthy environments for all our citizens - a major challenge Speech by Jacqueline McGlade Executive Director, European Environment Agency (EEA) Photographs from Parma Video Clips from all speakers. • Youth Participation Youth Declaration 2010 Youth participation in the environment and health process • CEHAPE Awards Video of the awards ceremony Press release • HEAL and other NGOs HEAL daily updates page from Parma Media coverage from Parma NGO Interventions Interventions from the floor Year of the Lung Symposium – children’s respiratory health and the environment Photos from Parma WHO Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health |
| 08/03/2010 | Campaigning for a mercury free world This summer an international project has been launched aimed to raise awareness of the health risks of mercury exposure and calling on decision maker to create a strong global mercury treaty. The campaign, “MERCURY-FREE,” is coordinated by the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), of which HEAL is a member. The campaign is supported by a further nine international NGOs. The aims of Mercury Free are three-fold, to; raise awareness about mercury exposure and safer alternatives; engage and enable the public to promote mercury-free policies at local and national level; and promote a strong global mercury treaty to be adopted in 2013. IPEN's Mercury-Free Campaign reflects the alarming international level of human and environmental health threats posed by mercury and aims to build a highly effective and robust base of civil society and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across the globe to support the development of a strong global mercury treaty. |
| 08/02/2010 | US Strengthens Air Quality Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last month (22 January) a new national air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This new one-hour standard will protect millions of Americans from peak short-term exposures, which primarily occur near major roads. Short-term exposures to NO2 have been linked to impaired lung function and increased respiratory infections, especially in people with asthma. “This new one-hour standard is designed to protect the air we breathe and reduce health threats for millions of Americans. For the first time ever, we are working to prevent short-term exposures in high risk NO2 zones like urban communities and areas near roadways,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Improving air quality is a top priority for this EPA. We’re moving into the clean, sustainable economy of the 21st century, defined by expanded innovation, stronger pollution standards and healthier communities.” The agency set the new one-hour standard for NO2 at a level of 100 parts per billion (ppb). EPA also is retaining the existing annual average standard of 53 ppb. NO2 is formed from vehicle, power plant and other industrial emissions, and contributes to the formation of fine particle pollution and smog. Earlier this month, EPA proposed to tighten the nation’s smog standards to protect the health of all Americans, especially children. EPA is establishing new monitoring requirements in urban areas that will measure NO2 levels around major roads and across the community. Monitors must be located near roadways in cities with at least 500,000 residents. Larger cities and areas with major roadways will have additional monitors. Community-wide monitoring will continue in cities with at least 1 million residents. Working with the states, EPA will site at least 40 monitors in locations to help protect communities that are susceptible and vulnerable to elevated levels of NO2. The new standard will help protect Americans from NO2 exposures linked to respiratory illnesses that lead to emergency room visits and hospital admissions, particularly in at-risk populations such as children, the elderly, and asthmatics. EPA expects to identify or designate areas not meeting the new standard, based on the existing community-wide monitoring network, by January 2012. New monitors must begin operating no later than January 1, 2013. When three years of air quality data are available from the new monitoring network, EPA intends to redesignate areas as appropriate. Read more about Strengthened US Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide |
| 08/02/2010 | Research: Many air pollutants are higher indoors than outdoors Levels of many harmful air pollutants are higher indoors than outdoors, according to new research conducted within the European Union, released this week (8th February). These latest findings, which identify the main polluters and map their geographical distribution, come from the European Indoor Air Monitoring and Exposure Assessment Project (AIRMEX), an EU funded project. The importance of the health impacts of indoor air pollution is officially recognised in the European Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP) – a strategy which is designed to give the EU the scientific information to reduce the adverse health impacts of environmental factors and to endorse better cooperation between actors in the environment, health and research fields. The AIRMEX study monitored indoor, outdoor and individual exposure to selected chemical compounds across the EU. The researchers found that levels of many harmful air pollutants are greater indoors than outdoors, and even higher when measured on the individual themselves. The levels of the chemical compound benzene – a known carcinogen - were found to be worryingly high and indicate higher exposure than what is normally expected with the annual EU limit values for ambient air quality. The study examined the impact of mixtures of chemicals on human lung cells. Results indicate that chemical compounds interact and the effects on human health will alter depending on the other chemicals present. The findings suggest that the multiple affects of indoor air pollutants depends on other factors unique to the individual, such as gender, stress, and genetic background. |
| 08/02/2010 | Report: Linking air quality and climate change can be cost-effective If the effects of air pollution on climate change are included in air quality strategies, efficiency gains of €2.5 billion can be achieved in the EU, according to recent research. Various greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pollutants both affect the climate and air quality, yet climate change and air pollution are often treated separately in environmental policy. Air pollutants are regulated through the Gothenburg Protocol of the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and the EU National Emissions Ceiling (NEC) directive, whereas GHGs are regulated by the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). However, in addition to affecting human health and damaging crops, many pollutants also affect the climate. For example, sulphur dioxide and organic carbon have a cooling effect on the climate, whilst black carbon has a warming effect. Methane is included in the Kyoto Protocol, but is not directly considered in air quality regulations, even though it contributes to the formation of ozone. The researchers suggest it would be more cost-effective to link air pollution and climate change policies, since reducing air pollution would also bring about climate change benefits. In this study, the researchers estimated the monetary damage of air pollution on human health and crop production, and then estimated the value of damages caused by one ton of each of the pollutants on climate change. The economic benefits of reducing pollutant emissions on health and crops were compared with the value of reducing pollutant emissions when the impact on climate change was also considered. For this study, the efficiency gains depend on the price of carbon: it was assumed that this would average €60 per ton over a 100 year period. Optimal policies to reduce emissions from air pollution based on health and crop damage could result in avoided damages for the EU of around €34.4 billion. If the effects of pollutants on climate are also included, total savings of about €36.9 billion could be achieved. The integrated approach thus yields a substantial efficiency gain of €2.5 billion. The researchers suggest that by including climate change damage in air pollution strategies, greater amounts could be spent on abatement measures since the benefits would be enhanced. According to the study, the greatest gains from the integrated approach are distributed among emissions from several sectors. In particular, efforts to reduce methane in the residential and agricultural sectors would be doubled; while increased efforts in reducing emissions in the transport sector can avoid significant additional damage, especially from particulate matter such as black carbon. Including the climate change damage of pollutants can increase the benefits of abatement, thereby reducing overall costs. The study suggests near-term benefits for climate change can be achieved by reducing PM and ozone precursors in addition to targeting CO2 and other long-lived GHGs. Source: Tollefsen, P., Rypdal, K., Torvanger, A., Rive, N. (2009). Air pollution policies in Europe: efficiency gains from integrating climate effects with damage costs to health and crops. Environmental Science and Policy. 12: 870-881. |
| 08/02/2010 | Air quality policy update - February 2010 Air Quality and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer The EU Commission has rejected 11 out of 12 requests by Italy to have more time to comply with air quality targets for Particulate Matter PM10. Only the region of Campania is allowed a time extension. The firm stance of the EU Commission is good news for all those suffering from high air pollution levels. Seven new substances were recently added to the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to the UNECE Convention on Long-range transboundary Air Pollution. The Protocol on POPs was signed in 1998 and entered into force in 2003 to curtail and eliminate POPs. Three of the substances which now fall under the Protocol are to be phased out in the 29 countries which have signed the Protocol. However, 20 countries need to ratify the changes for them to enter into force. The US Environmental Protection Agency EPA has introduced a new national one-hour Air Quality Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). The new standard is designed to prevent short-term exposures in high risk NO2 zones like urban communities and areas near roadways, to protect from NO2 exposures which are linked to respiratory illnesses. Compared to the EU, the new one-hour standard is stricter. The deadline for monitoring the new standard is 2013. HEAL and HEAL members' action on air quality and health HEAL featured in the 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. Read the full article European Launch of the Year of the Lung 2010 held in Marseille on February 1st by HEAL member, the European Respiratory Society. Hundreds of millions of people suffer every day from lung diseases, and they cause almost 20% of all deaths in the world. Increased awareness about lung diseases is vital, because they are killing more and more people every year and account for a socioeconomic burden of €102 billion due to health care costs and lost working days in Europe alone. The ‘Big Five’ lung disorders are lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB) and asthma. Read the press release here. Join the Year of the Lung initiative |
| 08/02/2010 | WHO: Moving on from Copenhagen As part of HEAL’s ongoing partnership with the Public Health and Environment (PHE) e-News from the World Health Organisation, each issue of HEAL news will feature an article from PHE. This month, Dr Maria Neira, Director of Public Health and Environment at the WHO explains the next steps from Copenhagen towards a healthy planet. Healthy people, healthy planet As we all take stock of the implications of the Copenhagen CoP, one lesson is clear. If we are to maintain and expand public and political support to act on climate change, we need the headlines to be more about what we are aiming to achieve, and less about the process. We need to be clear that this is not just about targets and agreements, economy and costs, but about a better future for humanity. In Copenhagen, WHO outlined an additional proposal; to move from talking about "inconvenient" to "convenient" truths. Former US Vice-President Al Gore has done a tremendous service by describing the inconvenient truth that our current energy choices are threatening the planet. Over the past 20 years, WHO has also assembled and reported on the evidence that climate change endangers health. Indeed, the 1992 UNFCCC itself is based on such warnings, aiming to avoid "adverse effects"; on human health and wellbeing, on the natural environment, and on economies. But we believe that the time has come for more positive messages. The transition that we must make to address climate change should not be seen as a painful economic cost, but as a valuable investment in a more sustainable, fairer and healthier future. From the health perspective, we see a range of good news stories. The first is that policies to mitigate climate change can be implemented through existing mechanisms to protect health and wellbeing. Last month, the US Environmental Protection Agency finalized its ruling that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health, and can therefore be regulated in the same way as conventional pollutants. The link between climate change and health, and existing health protection laws, have therefore become the cornerstone for regulation of greenhouse gases in the world's largest economy. The second is that, in the short to medium term, we can protect people from climate change, and bring immediate health improvements. Proven, cost-effective interventions, from heatwave warning systems, to expanding access to water and sanitation, to vector control, could save millions of lives immediately, and improve resilience to future climate change. The strength of the global health community is now aligning itself behind this agenda, through a 2008 World Health Assembly Resolution adopted by 193 nations. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, many of the changes that we need to make to address climate change could bring very large public health benefits. A series of studies, supported by WHO and published in the Lancet at the end of 2009, has now quantified some of the direct health benefits that would come from more sustainable energy, transport, and agricultural systems. These estimated, for example, that a 10 year programme to provide 150 million clean-burning cookstoves in India would not only reduce greenhouse forcing from black carbon, but would also save approximately 2 million lives - roughly equivalent to halving the national burden of disease from cancer. Shifting to more sustainable urban transport, with greater use of public and active modes, would be expected to reduce cardiovascular disease by between 10-25% in both developed and developing cities, and bring similar cuts in diseases from dementia to breast cancer. Such benefits are not only immediate and local, making them attractive to policy makers and public, but their economic value would partly or completely offset the costs of mitigation. These positive messages all have practical implications. The success of the EPA ruling suggests that other countries should look closely at using existing health protection regulations to address greenhouse gases. The strong overlap between adaptation and public health prevention calls for greater engagement and strengthening of existing health services as a key resource in responding to climate change. And the potential for valuable health cobenefits calls for prioritization of those mitigation actions that would bring the largest health gains. As we find our way forward after Copenhagen, we need to make clear that we aim to support the most effective polices, informed by the best possible science, but, most importantly, guided by our values. In WHO's view, the values that should guide our response to climate change are the same as those that guide our work in public health; the drive to improve lives, protect the weakest, and enhance fairness. The health community is a willing partner in addressing this challenge. More on climate change and human health. Read the latest edition of the PHE news |
| 08/02/2010 | Climate change and health policy update – February 2010 Climate change and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Pendo Maro, pendo@env-health.org 14–17 January – Informal Environment Council: Ministers agreed to pledge a single EU target for reducing Europe's greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, rather than individual national targets, to the annex of the Copenhagen Accord. According to the Copenhagen Accord, all industrialised countries are to submit their emissions reduction pledges to the UNFCCC Secretariat by 31 January 2010. The target agreed for the EU is the 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, with a conditional move to 30% if other countries move forth. On 9 February, the European Parliament will vote on the new European Commission, after having held hearings with each Commissioner designate. Click below to read a summary of the hearing of the Commissioner-designates for; Climate, Connie Hedegaard’s Health, John Dalli. Article: "Patients first. Consumers first" : Designate Commissioner John Dalli heard by the European Parliament. Environment, Janez Potočnik. Article: New EU Commissioner for Environment,Potočnik, to prioritise green growth and biodiversity. Commission White Paper: Adapting to Climate Change: towards a European framework for action. Rapporteur: MEP Prodi Vittorio The Draft report was discussed in the European Parliament's ENVI Committee on 25 January. Next steps will a be deadline for report amendments on 12 February 12 followed by a vote in the ENVI Committee on 16 March and in European Parliament Plenary in April. HEAL and HCWHE welcome the inclusion of a chapter on health and social policies in the report, but call for a strengthening of the section to highlight the important role of the health sector, the need to address respiratory impacts and health co-benefits. HEAL’s action on climate change and health HEAL and HCWHE wrote letters to Spanish Presidency, Commissioner President Barroso and EU Environment Ministers asking them to ensure Mexico delivers a FAB (fair, ambitious, binding) deal, one with ambitious EU targets (-40% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels) and adequate financing to developing country mitigation and adaptation efforts. We called on the EU to pledge a 40% target on 31 January, as this would be more in line with keeping global temperatures to below 2°C and avert dangerous climate change. Read the press release here. 11 January - Anne Stauffer attended a Workshop on “Policy Options for climate change and Health”, organised by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. 12 January - Anne attended the Meeting of the WHO Europe Task Force which discussed the draft for the WHO Europe Document: Protecting health in environment challenged by climate change: A European Regional Framework for Action. HEAL and HCWHE have started discussions with MEPs on the EP Report on Adapting to Climate Change. We believe MEPs can make the report stronger by including a range of health impacts, the effects on vulnerable groups such as respiratory patients, children and the elderly, as well as highlighting the importance of the health sector in adaptation. Your Action You can still sign the Prescription For a Healthy Planet as an individual or organisation - and encourage others in your network to do so too. Sign up here... Already, over 100 health organisations and 120 individuals have signed up to the campaign, this number continues to rise daily – see the list of endorsers on the new website Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | Health groups call for 40% target on carbon emissions HEAL and member organisation, Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWHE), are calling on EU Heads of States to increase the European target on climate change. Health groups are seeking a 40% unconditional emissions reduction target by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. The reductions should be made through domestic action, which they say could bring substantial benefits in improving people’s health and reducing healthcare costs. We issued a joint position statement after the Copenhagen talks in December 2009 urging the EU to take a stronger leadership role. Now we are concerned that the EU and its 27 Member States will miss another opportunity to lead the fight against climate change and to protect health. Our new request comes prior to the informal EU Council meeting on 11 February, where climate change is expected to be on the agenda. By pledging a 40% emissions reduction target, the EU could re-claim its leadership role and help foster a breakthrough for a fair, ambitious and binding climate change agreement at the COP 16 in Mexico later this year (i) Under the Copenhagen Accord, industrialised countries were asked to register their formal emissions reduction pledges for 2020 with the UNFCCC Secretariat by 31 January 2010. The EU and its Member States have committed to an independent quantified economy-wide emissions reduction target of 20% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels, with a conditional increase to 30% “under the conditions set out by the European Council of December 2009(ii)”. HEAL and HCWHE consider this position to be inadequate. “Climate change is already causing hundreds of additional deaths each day around the world, and higher temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events are exacerbating some of the major causes of diseases. A 40% domestic target, would significantly improve people’s health in Europe, reduce rising healthcare costs and protect our fragile ecosystems,” explained Dr Pendo Maro, Senior Climate and Policy Advisor, Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWHE) and Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL). The health sector is committed to a fair, ambitious and binding international climate change treaty that provides for public health, drastically reduces greenhouse gas emissions, promotes alternative, renewable energy and provides significant funding for developing countries to adapt and mitigate. (i) The meeting is expected to take place November-December 2010. (ii) 5794/10, Letter by the (Spanish) Presidency and the Commission to the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, 27 January 2010. |
| 08/02/2010 | Report: Examining DDT’s health effects A team of researchers has documented a variety of urinary and genital malformations in male babies born to women living in an area of South Africa where the potentially endocrine-disrupting pesticide DDT is still used. The team, reporting in a study published in the British Journal of Urology International, believes the malformations may be connected to the mothers’ DDT exposure. A global halt to DDT’s use went into force under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2004. But South Africa and other signatories - where malaria is endemic - can continue to use DDT to control the mosquitoes that spread malaria, which the World Health Organization estimates kills more than 700,000 African children every year. Countries that continue to use DDT claim it remains the most effective and inexpensive prevention against mosquito-borne malaria. However, it is known the insects can develop resistance to this and other chemical control methods, such as pyrethroid pesticides, thus Stockholm signatories that still use DDT are urged to find replacements. In South Africa, DDT has been sprayed annually since 1945 in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, where the researchers focused their study. The province has the country’s highest incidence of malaria, and the district the highest prevalence. The team, led by andrologist Riana Bornman of the University of South Africa, Pretoria, used government records from 1995 to 2003 that document the villages (though not the individual homes) where DDT was sprayed indoors. Province records were lacking for the years 1980 and 1994. Team members examined more than 7,000 male and female babies born between 2004 to 2006 to local women who agreed to answer questionnaires in hospital. Report findings The researchers found that 11% of 3,310 baby boys born in their study cohort had at least one of several urinary and genital (urogenital) malformations. According to the team’s analyses, mothers exposed to household DDT spraying in the five to nine years before the study began had a 33% greater chance than unexposed mothers of having a son with such defects. The researchers also saw greater risk in women who were homemakers than in mothers employed outside the home. The rate of urogenital malformations in local baby boys is incredibly high, says Jordi Sunyer, co-director of the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona—the global average is estimated at about 2%. This finding alone is important, Sunyer says. But mothers from unsprayed villages also gave birth to boys with nearly the same rate of urogenital malformations, at about 10%, points out Frank Sullivan, an independent consultant in toxicology at London consultancy Harrington House. That rate points to possible confounding circumstances, Sullivan suggests: for instance, the people living in the region could be genetically prone to such abnormalities, or they may be exposed to some other environmental factor that triggers such outcomes, for example pesticide residues in foods. In fact, the team attempted to control for such factors as eating patterns and alcohol consumption. Sullivan also points out that previous generations of women in some of the villages were exposed to DDT spraying for malaria control between 1945 and 1979, raising the possibility of intergenerational impacts. Sunyer says biological samples may be the only way to confirm a connection between exposure to DDT and birth outcomes. Measuring the impacts of DDT Concentrations of DDT and its metabolites in blood or milk collected throughout pregnancy or lactation could pinpoint exactly when mothers had the highest levels in their bodies and be compared against rates of malformations or other adverse health effects in offspring. Sunyer also wants to investigate whether mixtures of DDT and other chemical compounds might contribute to defects. The new study is a step toward an assessment of DDT’s impacts in an effort to judge the costs and benefits of spraying, according to scientists outside the work. Sullivan points out that thousands of children in such regions would die of malaria without such DDT spraying programs. Current strategies across Africa and elsewhere include not only indoor spraying but also development of new drugs and use of insecticide-treated bed nets. Moving forward A full assessment of the costs and benefits of spraying programs has yet to be conducted, says Sunyer. Researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences plan to lead a follow-up study on DDT and birth defects in South Africa. Meanwhile, a review of DDT’s health risks will be presented at the February 2010 meeting of the parties to the Stockholm convention, and later in the year the International Programme on Chemical Safety is expected to issue an updated Environmental Health Criteria monograph on the human and environmental health effects of the pesticide. |
| 08/02/2010 | Pesticides and health policy update - February 2010 Pesticides and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer, anne@env-health.org On 23 February, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee will discuss rapporteur’s Christa Klass draft report on the Revision of the EU Biocides Law. In their Council meeting in December, EU Environment Ministers stressed the criteria for excluding certain hazardous biocides for environmental reasons should be strengthened. The ENVI Committee is scheduled to vote on its report on 26 April. HEAL’s action on pesticides and health In January HEAL published a report together with PAN UK on its findings from a school survey. The results are alarming: in schools, children may be exposed to at least four potentially cancer causing pesticides. The snapshot of English, Welsh and Scottish school authorities also revealed that 7 of the pesticides used in schools may have other serious negative health impacts. The report was picked up well in UK media - see more here. On 19th January, as part of the Sick of Pesticides campaign, HEAL and member organisation MDRGF launched a new campaign to help victims of pesticide poisoning. The launch of Victimes des pesticides held in Poiters, France brought together farmers from throughout France whose health has been affected by pesticides, some giving powerful testimonials about their illnesses. The UK Ecologist published an article about the "victimes de pesticides" network –Pesticides and cancer: victims fight for justice, 4 Feb 2010. HEAL will be extending the Sick of Pesticide Campaign to three new countries – the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary. Check out our campaign website for further information. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | Campaigners call on pesticides manufacturer to withdraw the most hazardous chemicals The Coalition against Bayer Dangers (CBG), based in Germany, have called on the multinational company Bayer to withdraw their most dangerous pesticides from the world market. The network particularly calls on Bayer to quit sales of all products which contain active ingredients in Class 1 of the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of pesticides. Bayer is the world market leader for pesticides, many of which account for pollution and poisonings all over the world. In 1995 Bayer promised to “replace products with the Classification 1 of the World Health Organisation with products of lower toxicity”. Further to this, the company acknowledges that “crop protection products may not always be used correctly under certain circumstances in some Third World countries”. CBG, amongst a host of other environment and health groups, believe that the safe use of class 1 pesticides is not possible- particularly in countries in the global south, due to poverty, illiteracy and other social conditions as well as tropical climatic conditions which do not permit the wearing of protective gear. The WHO estimates 25 million people a year are poisoned by pesticides, with at least 40,000 people are killed accidentally by pesticides every year - the estimated number of unreported cases is much higher. According to CBD, Bayer pesticides contribute enormously to the thousands of deaths and millions of pesticide poisonings each year. As yet, their promise to replace their products containing extremely hazardous active ingredients in WHO Class 1a and 1b (including Thiodicarb, Disulfoton, Triazophos, Fenamiphos and Methamidophos) remains unfulfilled. CBD is also demanding for an immediate ban on the herbicide glufosinate and a suspension of all approvals of glufosinate-resistant crops. A European Food Safety Authority evaluation states that glufosinate poses a high risk to mammals. The substance is classified as reprotoxic, with laboratory experiments causing premature birth, intra-uterine death and abortions in rats. The European Parliament voted last year to ban pesticides classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction. Previous campaigns have been sucessfull In recent years, under strong public pressure, Bayer have pulled several class 1 products from the market. These included methyl and ethyl parathion, monocrothophos, oxydemeton-methyl, azinphos-methyl, amitraz and trichlorphon. Only six months ago Bayer committed to end the distribution of the pesticide endosulfan by the end of 2010. The decision came after years of global campaigning against this persistent pesticide, which is linked to autism, birth defects and male reproductive harm, as well as deaths and acute injuries to farmers through direct contact. Fatalities could be reduced significantly by the cessation of the sale of all class I substances. |
| 08/02/2010 | Toxic Matters: helping to avoid hazardous chemicals The Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment’s (PRHE), part of the university of California, have produced a new guide designed to help individuals avoid exposure to toxic substances that are present in our daily lives. Toxic Matters is a non-technical guide, providing evidence-based recommendations for preventing exposure to environmental substances with adverse reproductive and developmental health impacts. The recommendations are divided into five categories; • Prevent exposure at home - learn how to make informed choices in your home life that can positively affect your health and the health of the ones you love; • Prevent exposure at work - learn how many substances used in different jobs, present in office buildings or used in workplace renovation projects are toxic to reproductive health and about your right to a safe and healthy work environment; • Prevent exposure in your community - learn how to reduce pollution in your community and limit your exposure to pollution in outdoor air; • Become a smart consumer - find links to consumer guides that will help you find non-toxic products; • Make the government work for you - learn how you can influence public policy and support policies that stop chemical pollution in the first place. The online version and further resources are available on the website. Toxic Matters is the latest addition to advancing PRHE’s mission to create healthier environments for human reproduction and development by advancing scientific inquiry, clinical care and health policies that prevent exposures to harmful chemicals in our environment. |
| 08/02/2010 | Chemicals and health policy update - February 2010 Chemicals and Health Policy developments- An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more details, please contact Lisette@env-health.org The European Commission’s Directorate General on Environment has a forthcoming study on the mixtures of chemicals to which we, animals and the environment are continually exposed and what is known about ‘cocktail’ effects. This study, which examines the state of toxicological science on mixtures and how they are dealt with in EU regulations, will be published as part of the work of the European Strategy on Endocrine Disruption, which is now in its 10th year. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), following discussions and a decision in its Member State Committee, has placed 14 more chemicals on Europe’s ‘most harmful’ list: the ‘Candidate List’ of substances of very high concern. One of the chemicals is Diisobutyl phthalate. In the next months, these chemicals will be examined to see which should be prioritized to go through the strict permission process called ‘Authorisation’, and the Agency will hold a public consultation on this topic. Details on the 14 chemicals can be found here ECHA has been tasked by the European Commission to evaluate the newest scientific evidence on phthalates. On the basis of the report, the Commission will decide whether to reexamine the existing bans of phthalates in toys and childcare articles, and whether other bans on phthalates in other articles used by children are necessary (clothing, school supplies, etc). The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) will discuss the proposed legislation governing the use of hazardous chemicals in electric and electronic goods (ROHS) on the 23rd February. The EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) will be developing its opinion on the ‘migration limits’ set for elements such as arsenic, lead and mercury in toys in the recently revised EU Toy Directive. Limit values were set for arsenic, cadmium, chromium VI, lead, mercury and organic tin among others. DG Enterprise has requested the committee to assess whether the migration limits are set on a ‘sound scientific basis’ and are safe, whether new scientific data on Tolerable Daily Intake (TDIs) levels requires an improvement of the Toys Safety Directive. The report is expected in May 2010. HEAL’s action on chemicals and health HEAL in partnership with other NGOs is preparing a joint position paper on hazardous chemicals in electric and electronic goods (ROHS), which will be presented to European Parliamentarians in the Environment Committee. Your action The candidate list includes another 14 chemicals, including two more plasticisers. You can contact companies and ask retailers, using our ‘right to know’ model letter (8 languages), to find out which of these most harmful chemicals are in products you buy or have bought. Mor info here. The list of most harmful chemicals is growing far too slowly, hampering your full right to know about toxics in consumer products. You can help get more chemicals regulated under REACH, and strengthen the Right to Know by urging your government to nominate harmful chemicals. Use our model letter here to contact the relevant ministry in your country (our list has details for all 27 Member States). The ministries are deciding now for the next deadline in early August, so now is a good time to contact them. Until 19 February 2010, The European Commission is conducting a Public consultation on its Nanotechnology Action Plan 2010-2015. The consultation is very suitable for the expression of non-specialist and non-expert views. It is via a multiple choice questionnaire on an internet form that takes about 15-20 minutes, and covers benefits, risks, concerns and opinions about current governance, etc. More information here. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | Bisphenol A Update European Food Safety Authority invites experts to discuss Bisphenol A The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will invite national experts from the EU Member States to a meeting by early April to discuss its ongoing scientific work with regard to bisphenol A (BPA). At the meeting, EFSA, the EU's food safety watchdog, the will outline its draft opinion on BPA, which is currently being prepared by EFSA’s scientific panel on food contact materials (CEF Panel), prior to its expected adoption in May 2010. The meeting will allow Member States to contribute any relevant national work in support of the finalisation of EFSA's opinion. Members of EFSA’s Advisory Forum have been asked to nominate national experts to take part in the meeting alongside members of the CEF Panel's working group on BPA. Read the RES press release in French here European Food Safety Authority invites experts to discuss Bisphenol A. The US Food and Drink Association reverses stance on BPA, saying it is now "taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply." Update on Bisphenol A (BPA) for Use in Food: January 2010. EFSA published scientific opinions on BPA in January 2007 and July 2008. In October 2009, EFSA received a further request from the European Commission to assess the relevance of a new study on possible neurodevelopmental effects of BPA and, if necessary, to update the existing Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) accordingly. • Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to 2,2-BIS(4-HYDROXYPHENYL)PROPANE • Toxicokinetics of Bisphenol A - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food additives, Flavourings, Processing aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) This news comes at a timely moment. The 5th Feburary saw the French food safety authority (Agence Francaise de Securite Sanitaire des Aliments, Afssa) recoginse the existence of health threats from Bisphenol A. In a report released last week, Afssa acknowledge new elements and alarming signals, particularly in behavior and reproduction following pre and post natal exposure to BPA, according to an article in Le Monde. However, whilst it is positive to see that Afssa’s new position on BPA is one that recognises the existence of alarming indications, French environment and health groups say that it falls short of the mark. HEAL member Le Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) states that Afssa have failed to draw on the necessary consequences and provide no evidence for harmful impacts on BPA on human health. |
| 08/02/2010 | Mercury Policy Update - February 2010 Mercury and Health Policy developments- An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more details, please contact Lisette@env-health.org The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) held its first discussion on a proposed law concerning information on food to consumers. HEAL’s action on Mercury and health HEAL and the Zero Mercury Working Group sent a joint letter to Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, urging them to support a change (amendment) to proposed legislation on food information to consumers which would ensure that fish and fish products are labeled indicating methylmercury content, and warning vulnerable groups. Read the letter: Environment and Health NGOs’ comments on labelling of foodstuffs: Environment Committee’s report on the proposed regulation on food information to consumers Your action You can contact Members of the European Parliament in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee and ask them to support the amendment on food information to consumers which would ensure that fish and fish products are labeled indicating methylmercury content, and warning vulnerable groups (Amendment 541). For more information on contacting your MEPs before the scheduled vote in mid March, please ask Lisette. Note that MEPs usually vote according to their political groups, which decide their positions on amendments up to two weeks before the vote. Therefore it is best to contact your MEPs during February. Find out more about mercury levels in fish and how you can protect yourself by downloading the factsheet Mercury and fist consumption in several EU languages, published as part of our Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury campaign. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | HEAL Secretariat News February 2010 Press releases and media 01/02/2010 Health groups call for 40% target on carbon emissions 14/01/2010 Cancer-linked pesticides used in schools - New survey HEAL media coverage for January 2010 HEAL in the media. Publications Report: Pesticides - a toxic education? a survey of pesticides in UK schools Article: A breath of fresh air? HEAL in Parliament Magazine New newsletter: Pesticides and Health E-News - January 2010 Chemicals Health Monitor February Bulletin Conference and meetings 6th - 8th January - Twenty young people, including Alina Bezhenar, from the CEHAPE Youth Network met in the HEAL offices for a preparatory seminar in the run up to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 5th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health to be hosted by the Italian Ministry of Health in Parma, 10-12th of March 2010. 11 January - Anne Staufferattended a Workshop on “Policy Options for climate change and Health”, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. 12 January - Anne attended the Meeting of the WHO Europe Task Force which discussed the draft for the WHO Europe Document: Protecting health in environment challenged by climate change: A European Regional Framework for Action. 12th – 14 January – Genon Jensen and Anne Stauffer attended the Third high-level preparatory meeting towards the 5th Ministerial Conference on Health and Environment, Italy. Alina, HEAL's Environment and health youth coordinator attended as an official CEHAPE youth delegate. More than 100 representatives of member states, IGOs, NGOs and other organisations came to the final round of negotiations of the draft ministerial declaration in Bonn, Germany. The final declaration text of this two-day meeting will be sent to all 53 environment and health ministers for adoption during the Parma Ministerial Conference. January 19th - HEAL and member organisation MDRGF organised a workshop as part of its campaign to help victims of pesticide poisoning. The launch of Victimes des pesticides held in Poiters, France brought together farmers from throughout France whose health has been affected by pesticides, some giving powerful testimonials about their illnesses. January 19th – Lisette Van Vliet participated in the CHE Science Cafe Call ‘A Conversation with Elizabeth Grossman, author of Chasing Molecules. January 21st – Lisette participated in the CHE Partnership Call ‘Upstream: Complex Chemical Contributors to Thyroid Function and the Potential Impacts on Policy’ January 28th – Lisette attended the 2nd meeting of the EU partnership of Action Against Cancer in Luxembourg. |
| 08/02/2010 | UK alliance launched to prevent cancer The Alliance for Cancer Prevention, launched in the United Kingdom in late 2009, aims to challenge the existing perception that the control and treatment of cancer being the best way forward and seeks equal recognition for primary prevention. The Alliance wants the cancer establishment to acknowledge the environmental and occupational risk factors for preventable cancers. Helen Lynn, long time campaigner and the facilitator of the new Alliance, says the initiative aims to provide a robust voice to persuade cancer charities and medical and governmental bodies that make the decisions on cancer policy in the UK to respond to the body of existing scientific evidence on environmental and occupational risks for cancer. Drawing on the work of Professors Rory O'Neill and Andrew Watterson of Stirling University, the Alliance considers that tens of thousands of people in the UK endure potentially fatal diseases that could have been prevented by simple, affordable changes to the substances and processes used by industry. At its first meeting in November 2009, the Alliance raised questions such as; how the UK Government plan to respond to the European Partnership Against Cancer. This document states that: "Cancer is caused by many factors and therefore its prevention shall address on equal footing the lifestyle, occupational and environmental causes". European Commission, European Partnership for Action Against Cancer The Alliance seeks to point to the progressive work undertaken in other countries, such as the report from the Endocrine Society. (Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals:An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. (Dec 2009)). It calls for the American Medical Association (AMA) to work with federal government to enact new federal policies to decrease the public's exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been accepted. In January 2010, the Alliance called on the Westminster Health Forum to organise a conference on primary prevention focused on the environment and occupational risk factors for cancer. For more info about the alliance, please contact Helen Lynn, Alliance Facilitator. Helen helenlynn@btinternet.com - Alliance members include: GMB, Hazards Campaign, Integrated Health Trust, National Alliance of Women's Organisations, No More Breast Cancer Campaign, Pesticides Action Network (PAN UK), Scottish Hazards Campaign, Prof. Andrew Watterson & Prof. Rory O'Neill, Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group. Stirling University, UNISON, UNITE, Breast Cancer UK, Women's Environmental Network Scotland. |
| 08/02/2010 | Environment and health policy update - February 2010 Environment and Health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer On 9 February, the European Parliament will vote on the new European Commission, after having held hearings with each Commissioner designate. Click below to read a summary of the hearing of the Commissioner-designates for; Climate, Connie Hedegaard’s Health, John Dalli. Article: "Patients first. Consumers first" : Designate Commissioner John Dalli heard by the European Parliament. Environment, Janez Potočnik. Article: New EU Commissioner for Environment,Potočnik, to prioritise green growth and biodiversity. Official minutes from the EU Consultative Forum on Environment and Health in December 2009 now available which highlight policy priorities and countries commitment for a second Environment and Health Action Plan in 2011. The final third high-level preparatory meeting towards the 5th WHO Europe Ministerial Conference on Health and Environment took place 13-14 January in Bonn to negotiate the final text for the Ministerial Declaration and Commitment to Act, and finalise the conference agenda. The new designated WHO Regional Director for Europe, Zsuzsana Jakab, highlighted her commitment to the environment and health process as a priority in WHO’s work, as it formed an important part of a wider strategy on making progress in health in other policies. Cancer is one of the priority diseases in the current EU Action Plan on Environment and Health. The European Partnership on Action Against Cancer held its second meeting in late January. The meeting was to discuss and organise work that will be put in a combined action package, including work on cancer prevention and the package submitted for Commission funding under the EU Health Programme. HEAL’s action on environment and health HEAL sent out a joint NGO report with European Eco Forum and Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) on the Bonn third high level meeting, and gathered nominations for the official health NGO delegation to the Parma Ministerial Conference. HEAL’s Toxics Policy Advisor Lisette van Vliet participated in the second EU Partnership on Cancer meeting. More details can be obtained through our ‘Cancer and Environmental Prevention’ mailing list. - Recent media coverage on HEAL and environment and health. HEAL in the media Your Action Write to your national environment and health focal points to find out what steps your country has taken to implement the Regional Priority Goals for children’s environmental health, which were adopted at the last WHO Ministerial Conference in Budapest in 2004. Please contact Anne Stauffer for more information. Let us know if you would like to jointly launch the results of the Second CEHAPE Good Practice Awards on Children’s Environmental Health on March 11 in your country, and join our media efforts with WECF. Please contact Gill Erskine. Feedback: Are you involved as an NGO in national environment and health action plans? Or development of child specific ones? And how do you think these plans have made a difference to your work? Contact Anne Stauffer. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | NGOs prepare for Fifth Ministerial Conference on environment and health Now, more than ever, the health of children is threatened by changing environments. Our health systems face increasing challenges, from socio-economic and gender inequalities to extreme climatic events, which must be met with an effective environmental health agenda. At the Fifth Ministerial Conference on environment and health, held in Italy early next month (March 10-12), Ministers of health and the environment, experts and non-governmental organisations from the 53 WHO European countries will gather to discuss progress on the Environment and Health process in Europe; children’s environmental health; inequalities in environment and health and the health effects of climate change; as well as other emerging issues such as nanotechnology and endocrine disrupters. Health delegation HEAL alongside member organisations, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) and the International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), and in conjunction with Eco Forum, have been closely involved in this process up to Parma and are coordinating the participation of representatives from the health and environment community from across the European region. Throughout three day conference there will be exhibitions, side events and an award ceremony celebrating good practice in environment and health (CEHAPE Awards). An NGO strategy meeting will be held on March 9, as well as daily briefings. Background to Parma The presence of experts and NGOs is of crucial importance to drive Europe’s agenda on emerging environmental health challenges for the years to come. At the beginning of January of this year, more than 100 representatives of member states, IGOs, NGOs and other organisations came to the final round of negotiations of the draft ministerial declaration and Commitment to Act in Bonn. The final declaration text is expected to be adopted by all 53 environment and health ministers during the Parma Ministerial Conference and is available in English, French, German and Russian. Countries will also discuss how to ensure that the environment and health process and structures are reformed to increase political support and impact as outlined in the document entitled The Future of the 'European Environment and Health Process'. Sascha Gabizon (WECF) representing Eco Forum on behalf of the environmental NGOs (sascha.gabizon@wecf.eu) and Genon Jensen, representing Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) on behalf of the health NGOs (genon@env-health.org) attended the EEHC meeting, and the Ministerial Declaration drafting group meeting in Bonn. Action at Parma 2nd CEHAPE Good Practice Awards On the morning of Thursday 11th March we will be announcing the winners of our 2nd Awards Competition on good projects for Children’s Environmental Health. Children’s health continues to be a leading concern; their health is at risk from a changing environment. The 2nd CEHAPE Awards will highlight inspiring and innovative projects, from around the European region, that promote children’s environment and health. The winning entries will be exhibited during the conference. The 2nd CEHAPE Awards have been developed jointly by WECF, HEAL, ISDE Austria and European Eco Forum, and are sponsored by the governments of Austria, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the Belgian joint-interministerial Conference on Environment and Health and supported by the European Commission. Side events HEAL and WECF will also host two side events on Wednesday Morning 10th of March. Young people’s role in environment and health HEAL together with the CEHAPE Youth Network will showcase good examples of youth participation. The Right to Safe Water and Sanitation in School WECF together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will address how best to implement and finance safe water and sanitation in particular for rural schools in the EECCA region following the Protocol on Water and Health. The programme includes panel debates and discussions with representatives of the Water & Health Protocol financial instrument (AHPFM), the United Nations Development Programme, the World Health Organisation Europe, Ministries of Environment and Health for the EU-EECCA region, science and civil society. Showcasing NGOs contributions to environment and health HEAL will host an interactive exhibition highlighting its advocacy work and that of its members and other health NGO statekeholders in Europe since the Budapest Ministerial conference. Toxic-free WECF will host a Nesting Exhibition, providing an overview of their Project Nesting - run by partners in eight European countries. More information here. Respiratory health The European Respiratory Society (ERS) will be highlighting current environmental influences and policy frameworks on children’s respiratory health as part of their wider initiative – 2010 Year of the Lung during a side event on March 10th. Child Injury WHO regional office of Europe will be hosting as side event on childhood injury, including presentations from the European Commission and HEAL member – European Child Safety Alliance. The event will highlight the magnitude and burden of childhood injury and proven evidence - based measures to reduce their impact. Beyond Parma The March HEAL newsletter will feature a full progress report from the ministerial conference as well as information and news from the 2nd CEHAPE Good Practice Awards and the various side events. |
| 08/02/2010 | Making waves on pesticides in France and UK A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe Making waves on pesticides in France and UK 2010 will be a decisive year for our Sick of Pesticides Campaign, which aims to highlight the adverse health effects of pesticides and provide educational, advocacy and legal tools for local groups, schools and farmers to become involved in policy change. The new EU pesticides package (for authorisation and use of pesticides) has great potential for better health protection, yet it really depends on how governments will develop and follow-through on national pesticide reduction action plans. First steps will be setting up plans by 2012, and making sure that they include quantitative objectives, targets, measures and timetables to reduce risks and impacts of pesticide use, and to ensure public participation. We are urging all Member States to report on how they are minimizing or completely banning pesticide use in areas used by the public or vulnerable groups. The UK is one of the countries soon to launch its public consultation on the National Action Plan. The results of our UK School Survey as part of HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides Campaign underline the need to phase out the use of pesticides in schools as a priority issue. Responses to the HEAL and PAN UK survey from local authorities are quite alarming: Children may be exposed to at least four potentially cancer causing pesticides in their schools (the final report is available here. We encourage individuals and organisations to use the survey to find out which pesticides are being used in their local schools (for more information please contact Anne Stauffer). The survey also highlights the use of hazardous biocides and the need for more control. The EU Biocides Law is now being revised with important discussions in the European Parliament (and the Council of Environment Ministers). HEAL is working together with partners PAN Europe, Women in Europe for a Common Future and others to ensure that there are strict exclusion criteria for hazardous biocides, that the specific needs of vulnerable groups are recognised and that biocidal products with nano-silver are subject to a health-check before being allowed onto the market (read more here). As part of our French Sick of Pesticides Activities, HEAL together with our member organisation “Mouvement pour le droit et le respect des generations futures“ (MDRGF) launched what is probably Europe’s first network for people with health problems related to pesticide exposure, Victimes des Pesticides. At a recent meeting, French pesticide victims joined forces for better legal recognition and compensation and to highlight the need for better protection against hazardous pesticides ( Read more here) This year, HEAL will be extending the Sick of Pesticides Campaign to three further countries – the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary – to bring health concerns and expertise to the National Action Plans, and to advocate for ambitious reduction targets and pesticide-free zones. We want to ensure that patient and health groups are included in all discussions and decisions on pesticide reduction measures. A variety of activities are planned through a coalition of our members and groups. Please let us know if you’re interested in working together with us. This year’s “Week without Pesticides” from 20 – 30 March offers the perfect opportunity to become involved in the call to reduce pesticide use for better health protection. |
| 08/01/2010 | Report: Injuries in the European Union EuroSafe - the European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion - released the latest statistics on injuries due to accidents and violence in the EU. Accidents and violence are a major public health problem, killing more than a quarter of a million people in the EU-27 each year and causing around 42 million injuries that need hospital treatment. Injuries are the fourth most common cause of death, after cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases. Although the magnitude of the injury issue is evident to most governments, half of the EU member states still lack adequate injury data to guide their prevention actions. The new report, ‘Injuries in the European Union - Statistics Summary 2005 – 2007’, reveals that each year a staggering 7 million people are admitted to hospitals and 35 million people are treated as hospital outpatients as a result of an accident or violence related injury. The 2009 report “Injuries in the EU” presents data collected over the years 2005-2007. It also highlights injury data related to major risk groups and injury causes as identified in the EU Council recommendation on injury prevention and safety promotion: children, adolescents, senior citizens, pedestrians/ bicyclists, sporting activities, consumer products, interpersonal violence and self-harm. Read the full report... About EuroSafe EuroSafe, the European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, represents 45 institutions around the EU that have a mission in safety promotion. EuroSafe act as a catalyst in creating synergies between the distinct sectors, disciplines and stakeholders involved in injury prevention and safety promotion. EuroSafe is: A platform: a relaying point for policy makers and injury prevention professionals for exchanging experiences and initiating collaborative actions; An advocate: a professional organisation that organises a constructive dialogue among stakeholders and influences policy agenda’s at European level and in countries; A resource: a source of information and a pool of collective expertise relevant to injury prevention, generated with a view to empower members and partners. |
| 08/01/2010 | Environment and health policy update - December 2009 & January 2010 Environment and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. EU Member States and stakeholders met on 3 December to discuss the progress in implementing the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health (EHAP). Member states expressed enthusiasm and support for a second 2010 EU Action Plan, and highlighted that such a plan should include as priorities climate change and health, indoor air quality as well as human biomonitoring. The Commission will issue a Progress report on the current EU Action plan in early 2010. HEAL’s action on environment and health Youth Workshop From 8 to 10 January, 20 youth representatives will gather in Brussels to discuss the youth input for the WHO 5th Environment and Health Ministerial in Parma, and the current state of children’s environmental health in Europe. The Parma pre-conference youth preparatory workshop is organized by the CEHAPE Youth representatives and co-sponsored by DGSANCO and HEAL. Parma Preparatory Meeting HEAL will be attending the final preparatory meetings for the WHO 5th Environment and Health Ministerial from 12- 14 January in Bonn where member states will continue negotiating the draft Ministerial declaration and the EEHC will finalise the Conference Programme and side events. Youth Blog HEAL launched a youth and health and environment blog - a live portal to bring together the voices of young people from around the world. http://env-health-youth.blogspot.com Recent media coverage on HEAL and environment and health. HEAL in the media Your Action Contribute to the draft progress report on EHAP: HEAL and HEAL members will be providing comments on the progress report. If you would like to provide input please contact Genon. Feedback: Can you provide expertise or participte in any Cancer Partnership workgroup? We can coordinate and exchange information. Please email Lisette van Vliet |
| 08/01/2010 | HEAL e-News joins forces with WHO public health and environment This month sees the beginning of a partnership between HEAL's monthly e-News and the Public Health and Environment e-News from the World Health Organization (WHO). Each month HEAL will feature an article from WHO's Public Health and Environment (PHE) monthly e-News as well as link to their newsletter. In return, PHE will feature an article from HEAL, this month the article will be on the Prescription for a Healthy Planet. PHE provides a comprehensive overview of environmental health within the global health agenda. The monthly series aims to raise the profile of this important health topic, keep you updated on issues related to public health and environment, and mobilise people through an exchange of information. Each PHE e-News includes links to relevant topics, a listing of upcoming events, recent publications and links to WHO regional offices. Read the PHE e-news To subscribe simply send an email to listserv@who.int with the following text "subscribe HealthandEnvironmentNews" in the body of your email message. |
| 08/01/2010 | Bridging the science-policy gap: New website for health and environment professionals A new online portal, designed to facilitate the interaction among the actors participating in the health and environment decision process, was launched in November. The HENVINET is a powerful new networking tool designed specifically for the global Environment and Health community. With a range of innovative tools for locating and accessing expertise, knowledge sharing, HENVINET aims to enable a multi-stakeholder approach to addressing the most pressing Environment and Health issues. The portal is a product of the EU funded HENVINET project. HENVINET is designed for use by key environment and health stakeholders from around the world, such as researchers/scientists, decision makers, representatives of GOs, IGOs, and community interest NGOs, industrial organisations, labour groups, professional and public health associations. HENVINET is a social networking tool that provides an open, transparent and inclusive opportunity of participation to enrich the science based decision making process. It provides Environment and Health professionals and stakeholders anywhere in world with the ability to: Network with peers: Engage with a community of scientists, policymakers and stakeholders to share expertise, views and information. Access the experts: Search for and pinpoint specific expertise, and efficiently communicate and discuss concerns and specific topics with renowned experts. Tackle global challenges: Effectively collaborate within self-forming communities and forums that bring together a relevant portfolio of experts and stakeholders to address the issues at hand. Set the agenda: Shape the agenda of the Environment and Health community by participating in communities and forums discussing hot-topics of today and tomorrow. Share opportunities: Advertise conferences, symposia, research calls, job opportunities and the like to a broad range of professionals HEAL have already signed up and find it extremely useful. You can sign up too. www.henvinet.eu |
| 08/12/2009 | Commission decisions object to Member State requests for more time to comply with EU air quality legislation On 12th December, The European Commission adopted three decisions concerning requests from three EU member states for additional time to comply with EU legislation on air quality. The decisions relate to requests made by Bulgaria, Poland and the United Kingdom for temporary exemptions in 97 zones from the EU's air quality standards for dangerous airborne particles known as PM 10. The vast majority of air quality zones in the EU did not satisfy the conditions for a time extension, or were already found to be in compliance with the limit values. In 2009, some 17 decisions have already been adopted. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, using the health frame to justify their decision, says: "Air pollution has serious impacts on human health and compliance with the standards must be our utmost priority. The 2008 EU air quality Directive recognises the difficulties some Member States have experienced in meeting the standards for PM 10 by the initial deadline of 2005 and allows the possibility of a limited time extension. However, the Commission expects Member States to clearly demonstrate that they are doing their utmost to comply with EU standards in the shortest possible time." The Commission has decided that in five air quality zones in Poland the notified exemptions satisfy the conditions in the Directive. In the remaining zones in Poland, as well as all zones in Bulgaria and the United Kingdom, the Commission considered that the conditions have not been met. In many cases, this is because insufficient data has been provided or because the measures outlined in the air quality plans submitted to the Commission do not demonstrate that the standards will be met when the exemption period expires. Read the full press release… More on Air quality legislation EU air quality legislation sets binding limit values and/or indicative target values for the maximum permitted concentrations of certain pollutants in the air. Action to reduce pollution through an air quality plan is required where there is a risk of these standards being exceeded, or when member states apply for derogations. There are two binding air quality limit values for particulate matter (PM 10) based on daily and annual average concentrations. These entered into force on 1 January 2005. Two limit values for Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) based on hourly and annual average concentrations will enter into force on 1 January 2010. The 2008 air quality Directive (2008/50/EC) allows Member States, under strict conditions, time extensions for meeting the air quality standards for PM 10 (until 11 June 2011) and NO 2 and benzene (until 2015 at the latest). During the extension period, limit values continue to apply plus a margin of tolerance. Enforcement action is underway against 10 Member States that have not submitted notifications or to which the Commission has already addressed a decision objecting to a time extension and which continue to exceed the PM 10 limit values (see IP/09/174 ). Exemptions have been made on PM10 limit values in many countries by the Commission’s previous rulings, and further requests can always be put forward by countries. Careful monitoring by the NGO community remains of utmost impost. In reference to the UK decision, the UK campaign group ‘Clean Air in London’, says the decision is a damning and long overdue indictment of the UK’s attitude to air pollution, complying with environmental deadlines and protecting public health. Read more... |
| 08/12/2009 | Health impacts of climate change in the media In the run up to the Copenhagen summit this month, we saw an upsurge in articles related to health and climate change in the mainstream press. HEAL have compiled a list of a few of the best, including an article on the Lancet's recent research on health and climate change and a BMJ news story about the amendment that meant health was mentioned in the European Parliament's resolution on climate change. British Medical Journal A British Medical Journal editorial last week asked Will a global commitment be made at the UN climate change conferences in December? M Jay and M G Marmot BMJ 2009;339 b3669. 11 December. The BMJ news article about the European Parliament's recognition of health related issues. European parliament says health benefits of fighting climate change must be recognised 1 December CNN WHO wants health issues at heart of climate talks The World Health Organization (WHO) held a "side event" for public health officials in Copenhagen in an effort to put public health at the center of the climate-change debate. WHO wants health issues at heart of climate talks. The Times (UK) - Britain angers poor nations with plan to switch cash from health to climate Threat of funds in the UK being switched from health to climate change. Britain angers poor nations with plan to switch cash from health to climate. Times, London. 10 December Irish Times - Climate change doesn’t just affect the planet – it has human consequences as well Prescription for a Healthy Planet, which quotes HEAL, HCWH and our partners in Ireland, and provides tips on living a healthier life while reducing your carbon footprint Climate change doesn’t just affect the planet – it has human consequences as well. Irish Times, 8 December Voice of America - WHO Warns Climate Change Bad For Health World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan says she is disappointed a deal on climate change was not struck in Copenhagen. But she says important steps were taken that, she believes, will ultimately result in an agreement to stop or retard climate change. WHO Warns Climate Change Bad For Health. Voice of America, 29 December The Sydney Herald - Ruling gives Obama a way to bypass Congress on emissions US EPA announcement on health impact that opened new possibilities for Obama. Ruling gives Obama a way to bypass Congress on emissions. Various, 8 December Philippine Information Agency - Climate change to impact mental health. Philippine Information Agency Risk to mental health from climate change described by Health Care without Harm Executive Director in the Philippines, Maria Ferrer. Climate change to impact mental health. Philippine Information Agency. 12 December 2009 France 24 - Action on climate change 'also averts health crisis' Climate change action/averting a health crisis based on Lancet Series research. Action on climate change 'also averts health crisis'. AFP – Nov 24, 2009 |
| 08/12/2009 | Climate change and health policy update – December 2009 & January 2010 Climate change and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. European Parliament Resolution on Climate change: voting results In a plenary vote on its Resolution on Climate Change on the 24th November, the European Parliament recognised the need to consider public health, as well as the co-benefits of emission reductions to global health. In their press release, MEPs emphasised that an agreement in Copenhagen could stimulate a 'Sustainable New Deal' boosting economic growth, promoting environmentally sustainable technologies, reducing energy consumption and securing new jobs in both industrialised and developing countries. The European Parliament sent a delegation of MEPs to COP 15 climate talks in Copenhagen to encourage the EU to taker a stronger lead in negotiations and push for a 30% emission reduction target and ambitious financing package. New EU Presidency: From January – June 2010, the Spanish Presidency of the EU, under Lisbon Treaty – with new EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy will chair EU leaders’ meetings. Their main environmental priorities include post-Copenhagen climate strategy, energy efficiency and biodiversity, among others. Read more here Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: political agreement On 17 November, a political agreement was reached by representatives of the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission’s recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (COD/2008/0223). Next steps: The text agreed has to be formally approved by the Council (possibly before the end of the year) before the full Parliament gives its final endorsement at the beginning of 2010. Once adopted and published in the EU Official Journal, Member States will have two years to bring their national laws into line with the new directive. US EPA announcement: On 7 December, the US Environment Protection Agency declared greenhouse gases a public health threat, meaning that the EPA was "now authorized and obligated to make reasonable efforts" to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Politically this is very significant as it enables President Obama to address climate change at home without waiting for the congress to approve the law and thus may even raise the stakes internationally. The Copenhagen Accord. During the UNFCCC meeting on 7 – 18 December 2009 in Copenhagen World leaders reached a weak agreement that fails to set the emissions targets needed to prevent catastrophic global warming. The agreement was stronger on funding, but it was not binding, and set no urgent deadline to sign a real climate treaty. According to the ‘Copenhagen Accord’, developed counties (Annex I) are supposed to submit to the secretariat, their (voluntary) emissions reduction targets for 2020 by January 31, 2010. Developing countries (Non-Annex I) are supposed to submit their mitigation actions to the secretariat by 31 January 2010. Least developed countries and Small Island developing States may undertake actions voluntarily and on the basis of support. Read the Copenhagen Accord HEAL’s action on climate change and health HEAL/HCWH Post-Copenhagen Position Statement World leaders failed climate and people’s health – HEAL calls for a fair, ambitious and binding agreement in 2010. Read more... Health delegation at Copenhagen: As part HEAL’s campaign to raise awareness of the health effects of climate change and the co-benefits to health of a strong climate change policy, HEAL and our member, Health Care Without Harm, lead a high level health delegation to the second week of the climate negotiations. Over twenty health and environment specialists made up the delegation. During the course of the week, we organised a series of informal health briefings to share intelligence and provide members of the delegation with updates on the key political headlines of the day and identify opportunities to influence the negotiations, and participated in the WHO briefings and side event on protecting health from climate change. The International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA) led a health delegation action in the Bella Center. A leading British doctor from the Climate and Health Council, impersonating a polar bear gave a lesson to the delegates on the health impacts of climate change—particularly its impacts on developing countries. The bear then presented the Prescription for a Healthy Planet to Dr. Maria Neira, Director of Public Health and the Environment for the World Health Organization. The delegation feed into the Prescription for a Healthy Planet campaign – which, over the past few months has gained momentum and international attention. Read all the updates from the health delegation. Recent media coverage on HEAL and climate change and health. HEAL in the media Your Action You can still sign the Prescription as an individual or organisation - and encourage others in your network to do so too. Sign up here.... Already, over 90 health organisations and 120 individuals have signed up to the campaign, this number continues to rise daily – see the list of endorsers on the new website. |
| 08/12/2009 | What’s for Christmas dinner? How does food industry respect EU pesticide limits As Christmas approaches, HEAL member, PAN Europe has asked if the fresh food on Europe’s dining tables is safe. Its survey, in four EU countries this autumn, shows that most produce sampled had multiple traces of harmful pesticides, often several times maximum permitted doses. Two samples had illegal substances. “We’re appalled at the contempt growers, retailers and government are showing for public health”, said Gergely Simon, a PAN Europe board member. “Parents are feeding children produce containing known carcinogens and neurotoxins in doses which often vastly exceed even the more relaxed pesticide limits introduced by the EU last year. Customers should insist that their supermarket reveals what chemicals are being used on its food.” “Our tests have revealed endocrine disruptors, which affect human hormones”, said Hans Muilerman, also from PAN Europe. “This reinforces the need for the EU Environmental Council which meets next week to produce a system for assessing endocrines in food and consumer goods and regulate their combined effects.” Fifty-one lettuces and 47 mandarin oranges bought in supermarkets around Bulgaria, Hungary, the Netherlands and Slovakia were tested. The survey discovered that:- • One Bulgarian lettuce contained a gene-mutating compound at over sixty times the permitted level • Nearly all the mandarins analysed (96%) contained pesticide traces • Fruit bought in Dutch supermarkets was highly polluted, containing an average of three pesticides per sample • Procymidone and vinclozolin, illegal and dangerous toxins, were found • Lettuce bought in Slovakia contained seven different pesticide residues including biphenthrin, an agent which interferes with human hormones PAN Europe has campaigned against manipulation of maximum pesticide residue levels in food, where producers pick the highest available level in any EU country. The European Court of Justice is hearing a case brought by PAN against the European Commission challenging the increase in pesticide residues. The EU has begun responding to public concern. In November over 100 residue levels were reduced (some by up to 800 times) because they were unsafe. |
| 08/12/2009 | Scientists find more health implications on pesticide use in agriculture A new report published in the scientific journal, the Lancet, in December reveals unexpected health effects of wide pesticide use in agriculture. Researchers at Nijmegen University in the Netherlands have carried out 15 years of research on resistant funghi (part of the azoles-group). These funghi cause serious lung problems in humans which can often be life-threatening as the existing medicines not function anymore. This latest report, ‘Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus: a side-effect of environmental fungicide use?’ finds that through agriculture the resistant fungi is exposed to human lungs through dust. These new findings help to re-inforce calls from the NGO community to bring about a ban of the use of the azoles-group in pesticides Summary Invasive aspergillosis due to multi-azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus has emerged in the Netherlands since 1999, with 6.0—12.8% of patients harbouring resistant isolates. The presence of a single resistance mechanism (denoted by TR/L98H), which consists of a substitution at codon 98 of cyp51A and a 34-bp tandem repeat in the gene-promoter region, was found in over 90% of clinical A fumigatus isolates. This is consistent with a route of resistance development through exposure to azole compounds in the environment. Indeed, TR/L98H A fumigatus isolates were cultured from soil and compost, were shown to be cross-resistant to azole fungicides, and genetically related to clinical resistant isolates. Azoles are abundantly used in the environment and the presence of A fumigatus resistant to medical triazoles is a major challenge because of the possibility of worldwide spread of resistant isolates. Reports of TR/L98H in other European countries indicate that resistance might already be spreading. |
| 08/12/2009 | Pesticides and health policy update - December 2009 & January 2010 Pesticides and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. The legal texts of the pesticides regulation and directive were published in the EU Official Journal on 24 Nov. This marks the important starting point for when both laws become legally binding: the regulation entered into force on 14 Dec, and applies from 14.06.2011. The Directive on the Sustainable use of pesticides has already entered into force, and EU Member States must comply with it by 14 December 2011, including the setting up of National Action Plans. The EU Council of Environment Ministers held a political debate on the revision of the EU Biocides Directive on December 22 2009. They stressed that environmental criteria should be added to the foreseen cut-off criteria for Biocides. The European Parliament Environment Committee will present its draft report by Christa Klass end February, with the vote scheduled for April. HEAL believes the Commission’s proposal needs to be considerably strengthened to ensure the best protection of human health and include references to protection of vulnerable populations. HEAL’s action on pesticides and health On the 8th December, Lisette Van Vliet participated in the CHE Partnership call "To Ban or Not to Ban: A Review of Atrazine from Both Sides of the Atlantic". Lisette provided an overview of Europe’s decision to ban atrazine, as well as other updates on pesticides policy from Europe Results of HEAL's Sick of Pesticides School Survey are currently being analysed, they will be presented later in January. |
| 08/12/2009 | REACH candidate list will expand to 30 substances of very high concern The most recent fifteen substances of very high concern that were proposed by individual member states to be added to the Candidate List have been unanimously accepted by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) member state committee. These substances will be formally added to the Candidate List in January 2010, which will double the number of chemicals on the Candidate List to thirty substances in total. However, HEAL has advocated for a faster pace for the addition of chemicals to the Candidate List, given that hundreds of chemicals have already been identified as meeting the criteria for addition to the List, and to make the right-to-know principle in REACH, which applies only to chemicals on the candidate list, more meaningful and effective. The fifteen newest chemicals to be added to the candidate list are five anthracene oil and related compounds, coal tar pitch, acrylamide, aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibres, zirconia aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibres, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, diisobutyl phthalate, three lead chromate and related pigments, and tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate. |
| 08/12/2009 | Human biomonitoring at European level takes shape A consortium to perform human biomonitoring at European scale (COPHES) met in Brussels, Belgium on 1st and 2nd December 2009. This consortium comprises 35 partners coming from 27 European countries and includes governments, research institutes, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Chemical Industry council (CEFIC). The COPHES project objective is to perform actions designed to develop functional framework that contributes to definition, organization, and management of a coherent approach towards human biomonitoring (HBM) in Europe, including strategies for data interpretation and integration with environmental and health data. The Consortium would also: Investigate what is needed to advance and improve comparability of HBM data across the EU; Provide training and capacity building promoting knowledge and experience exchange and development in the field of human biomonitoring within Europe; and Communicate and disseminate information, results, and key messages to all stakeholders from the public to the policy makers. Also a potential role of HBM in supporting and evaluating current and future policy making and policies, such as REACH, and for environmental health awareness raising will be promoted within this project. COPHES will be funded by the EU under the 7th Framework Programme of the Directorate General Research. More information on this project you can find at www.cophes.eu (forthcoming). |
| 08/12/2009 | HEAL Secretariat News December 2009 and January 2010 Press releases 22/12/2009 Ministers worried about hazardous chemicals cocktails, but postpone action 16/12/09 Tackling the twin threats of climate change and the global health gap 10/12/2009 High level health delegates head to COP15 negotiations 25/11/2009 Health impact of climate change recognised in EP resolution 19/11/2009 Time to pull Mercury out of fillings say health and green groups to W.H.O. Conference and meetings 18th Nov Lisette Van Vliet attended the European Food Science Day - Bringing the results back to the consumers in Brussels. Read the full details of the conference here Lisette also took part in a conference ‘Greening Consumer Electronics - from Hazardous material to Sustainable Solutions’. The conference was held in the European Parliament hosted by the rapporteur on the Revision of RoHS, Jill Evans, and Chemsec, the international chemical secretariat, to discuss the revision of the RoHS and WEEE Directives. Read more here 19th Nov Alison attended the 11th Cefic Long-rang Research Initiative (LRI) Annual workshop. The workshop examined how LRI has put science at contribution towards chemical policies, looking at multi-angle perspectives, including from Policy, Industry, and Academia. You can read more about the conference here 20th Nov Lisette participated in an NGO meeting advising the Joint NGO Representative to the ECHA Management Board, who is now active in a Management Board Subgroup working on ECHA’s policy on public access to information about REACH-registered chemicals. 23rd Nov Gill Erskine participated in the European Environmental Bureau’s Noise Working Group in Brussels. The workshop brought together noise experts from all over Europe to share ideas and discuss strategies for the coming year. 25 Nov Diana Smith attended the launch and press conference of "The Lancet Series on Health and Climate Change: Public health benefits of strategies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions” in London. 26th Nov Monika Kosinska, secretary general of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), spoke on the behalf of HEAL at the 2nd Joint European Public Health Conference in Poland. Monika spoke about 20 years of NGO involvement in Environment and Health in Europe. 30th Nov Lisette, Genon, Sharyle Patton (Commonweal- HEAL partner in the US) and Alison Cohen attended the JRC Workshop human bio-monitoring (HBM) & the Consortium to perform Human bio-monitoring on a European Scale (COPHES). The workshop investigated what is needed to advance and improve comparability of HBM data across Europe. HEAL is an official partner of COPHES. 2nd – 4th Dec Lisette took part in the Meeting of Member State Committee of REACH European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki. The Member State Committee agreed unanimously on a testing proposal from ECHA which was submitted under the REACH regulation at its meeting in Helsinki on 3 December. Read more…. This meeting was followed by the third stakeholders' day of ECHA designed to inform about ECHA's activities and most recent developments and to share views and expectations with ECHA's experts. Read more… 3rd Dec Anne Stauffer participated in a panel discussion in the European Parliament on a European Agenda for Asthma and Allergies. She highlighted the impact of environmental pollution in the rise of asthma and allergies, namely air pollution, and called for future strong EU environmental and climate change policies to best protect people’s health. Also on the 3rd, Marie Christine DeWolf (HEAL President), Genon Jensen and Anne participated in the Consultative Forum on Environment and Health and discussed the Commission’s draft Progress report on the EU Environment and Health Action Plan. Diana Smith attended the press conference organised by HEAL member Reseau Environnement Sante (RES) in the National Assembly in Paris on Bisphenal A. 8th Dec Lisette participated in the CHE Partnership call "To Ban or Not to Ban: A Review of Atrazine from Both Sides of the Atlantic". Lisette provided an overview of Europe’s decision to ban atrazine, as well as other updates on pesticides policy from Europe 9th Dec Lisette participated in an informal roundtable for NGOs, Member State authorities, and Commission officials on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to discuss the way forward for the EU Strategy and better regulation of EDCs in the EU. 12th – 17th Dec HEAL and our member, Health Care Without Harm, lead a high level health delegation to the second week of the climate negotiations in Copenhagen. The health delegation ran a series of informal health briefings to share intelligence and provide members of the delegation with updates on the key political headlines of the day and identify opportunities to influence the negotiations. From the HEAL team, Genon, Anne and Pendo Maro. |
| 08/12/2009 | Chemicals and health policy update - December 2009 & January 2010 Chemicals and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. The Swedish Presidency of the European Union Council is leading discussions on exposures to Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) and the need to take into account the combined effects of hazardous chemicals, particularly EDCs. Read HEAL and partner's response to the conclusions from the December Environment Ministers Council (22nd Dec) "Ministers worried about hazardous chemicals cocktails, but postpone action" The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) held the 10th meeting of its Member State Committee to examine the nominations for 15 more chemicals to REACH’s ‘most harmful’ or ‘candidate’ list. Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Policy Advisor, attended the meeting as an observer. HEAL is consistently calling for a swifter pace of nominations and approvals, and monitoring the process closely with respect to certain chemicals, for example phthalates which are toxic to reproduction and endocrine disruptors. For more details, contact Lisette The European Parliament is preparing its own report on the European Commission’s Communication on Cancer. The lead committee is ENVI, with opinions from the Gender and Industry/Research committees. HEAL is in contact with the relevant parliamentarians and closely following this file in order to ensure that the role of environmental factors, specifically chemical contamination is duly recognised, and taken up in actions on prevention of cancer incidence. HEAL’s action on environment and health At the EU Environment ministers meeting, Ministers expressed concerns that the environment and the health of European citizens may not be properly protected from the combined effects of hazardous chemicals, particularly those that can disrupt hormones. However, they decided to postpone any decisions on tackling this problem by reducing the combined exposure to such chemicals. HEAL alongside other environment, health, women’s and consumer organisations welcome the ministers’ recognition of the risks of the so-called ‘cocktail effects’, but warn that what is really needed are urgent measures to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals from various sources and their substitution with safer alternatives. Read the full press release. HEAL participated in the European week on Biomonitoring Nov 30th – Dec 3rd in Brussels, including the JRC workshop, and first meeting the EU funded research project, COPHES, in which HEAL is a partner. HEAL participated in the first meeting for the European Partnership on Action Against Cancer in Brussels on Dec 7th & 8th, and attended the workgroup on prevention issues. HEAL participated in an informal workshop on Endocrine Disruption held on December 9th in Brussels, looking at ways to advance the EU Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Strategy. HEAL participated in and presented updates to an NGO meeting on chemicals politics held by the European Environmental Bureau on December 10th & 11th. Recent media coverage on HEAL and chemicals and health. HEAL in the media Your action You can help get more chemicals regulated under REACH, and strengthen the Right to Know about harmful chemicals in consumer products. Use our model letter to contact your national environment ministry (or the relevant authority- see our list), and urge them to nominate more chemicals to REACH’s ‘most harmful’ list. The next deadline is early February, so now is the time to contact them. Please see here for a model letter, and the details about your ministry. Please join us in our consumer right to know initiative, as we collaborate with other groups this winter and into next year. We are organizing and coordinating specific actions and projects. Please contact Lisette for more details. |
| 08/12/2009 | Spain, the new EU presidency On January 1st, Spain took over the European Union’s six-month rotating presidency from Sweden. This will be the fourth occasion that Spain has held the Presidency and will be the first presidency under the new Lisbon treaty. In summary, the role of the EU Presidency is threefold, to organise the European Councils, to prepare and preside over the Council of Ministers - the newly-appointed European Council president, Herman Van Rompuy, will chair EU leaders' meetings - and to represent the Union internationally. Amongst Spain’s environmental priorities, will be revising the EU's post-Copenhagen climate strategy, energy efficiency and biodiversity. The prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, is determined that the Spanish Presidency will give ‘decisive impetus to the construction of Europe’, which coincides with the ‘new beginning’ of the Treaty of Lisbon coming into effect. The political programme of the Spanish presidency includes: Consolidating Europe's social agenda, paying special attention to gender equality and the fight against domestic violence. Getting out of the economic crisis. The fundamental aims are restoring job creation and achieving a more competitive Europe, as stated in the Lisbon Strategy. Enabling Europe to speak with its own voice on the international scene and promoting its common values, peace and well-being. Consolidating a safer Union for its citizens, responding to the challenges of immigration and constructing a shared space with judicial and police cooperation. Van Rompuy and Zapatero. |
| 08/12/2009 | World leaders failed climate and people’s health The UN negotiations in December 2009 did not deliver the agreement so badly needed by the world. The Copenhagen Accord is a non-binding declaration without clear commitments from any government. While it recommends specific amounts for funding for developing countries, the voluntary Accord does not stipulate how the money will be spent nor are the amounts adequate. Governments must turn this into a more ambitious and binding agreement in 2010. Read our Post-Copenhagen Position Statement. European civil society groups were especially disappointed that the EU did not show more leadership. If Europe had put at least a 30% emissions reduction target on the table at the right moment, some real progress might have been achieved. From the European health and environment community's perspective, the aim pushing health considerations higher up the agenda was already starting to happen before Copenhagen began. In September, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso speaking in the US had said that climate change was no longer "the reserved province of the environmental community" but also an economic, development and "health issue". A few weeks later, the European Parliament voted in references to health as amendments to its Resolution on Climate Change. Read our press release. At the Copenhagen talks, the high-powered health delegation led by HEAL and HCWH met for regular organised briefings and helped make the Prescription for a Healthy Planet more widely known. Our giant "Prescription" was handed to World Health Organization's Dr Maria Neira during an original and lively event organised by medical students. Read the press release. Dr Robin Stott of Climate and Health Council created hilarity by conducting a "ward round" visit to an ailing patient, the planet, himself dressed as a polar bear. At the WHO "side event" event in Copenhagen, Professor Andrew Haines of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine described major new research published in the leading medical publication The Lancet on the global co-benefits that can accrue as a direct result of many mitigation activities for greenhouse-gas emissions. (Reference: Lancet Series report on Health and Climate Change, 25 November 2009). As a result of HEAL and HCWH taking a delegation to Copenhagen, the global health community has become a constituent part of the civil society movement on climate change. HEAL is now taking part in strategic discussions, and articles on the health perspective have been published in both the Copenhagen civil society publication and the newsletter of the European Climate Action Network (CAN E). Our activities are strongly within the medical sector in Europe. The President of the Standing Committee on European Doctors (CPME), Dr Michael Wilks took a leading role in Copenhagen as part of the HEAL delegation. On his return to Brussels, his editorial was published in the British Medical Journal and for the 27 European medical association membership on the CPME website. The European Respiratory Society, a HEAL member that represents respiratory experts in 100 countries, is publishing an advertisement about the Prescription for a Healthy Planet in its leading magazine "Breathe". ERS has produced a brochure on climate change and respiratory disease, which was shared widely in Copenhagen and is available here. Looking ahead, HEAL will be taking part in discussions with WHO Europe and countries in the European region this month on an action plan for health and climate change. Thanks to strong support from members and partners, we are in a very strong position to contribute effectively. |
| 10/11/2009 | Campaign: Soot free for the climate German environmental and consumer associations have launched a campaign to address the climatic and health effects of soot. Launched in March of this year, the campaign – ‘Soot free for the climate’ aims to highlight both the well known threats to health posed by soot, or black carbon, along side the many long time underestimated problems it causes to the climate. The campaign was launched by four leading German environmental and consumer associations - Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz BUND, Naturschutzbund Deutschland NABU, Verkehrsclub Deutschland VCD and Deutsche Umwelthilfe DUH. The campaign aims is to bring the discussion of the health and climatic effects of black carbon into the political and social arena - and to establish tangible measures to reduce soot emissions. View a short film about the threats to health and environment from soot. Or view the German language version here Read more about Soot free for the Climate on their website. Most of the information is in German, but there is a background paper available in English. |
| 10/11/2009 | Climate change: European health strategy makes rapid progress The first few days of October have seen an explosion of activity aimed at making health more central to talks on climate change. HEAL and its coalition partner Health Care Without Harm Europe have backed targets of 40% reductions in carbon emissions and an EU contribution of 35 billion Euros per year to finance global action on climate change. Read our - briefing and recommendations concerning the Commission Communication - a European blueprint for the Copenhagen deal. We have also launched a "Prescription for a Healthy Planet" which outlines key strategy objectives and policy recommendations for climate talks. At a reception at HEAL on 6 October, the Prescription was welcomed by EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou who saw it as a reflection of the high level of concern within the European health and medical community. She told the meeting that climate change was "a major issue for all EU policy areas" and said that "its impact on human, animal and plant health would be of massive importance to citizens in years to come." Read Commissioner Vassiliou's speach here. The Climate and Health Council in the UK is a founding signatory to the Prescription. Other key health and medical groups which endorsed the Prescription include the European Respiratory Society; International Society of Doctors for the Environment, Europe; Chartered Institute for Environmental Health (CIEH), and several national medical associations. Speakers from the launch of the Prescription. From left - Anja Leetz (HCWH), Dr. Michael Gill, Climate and Health Council, Genon Jensen (HEAL), Androulla Vassiliou (EU Health Commissioner), Dr. Peter Liese (MEP), Dr. Michael Wilks (President, Standing Committee of European Doctors), Dr. Isabella Annesi-Maesano (European Respiratory Society). In a parallel development, amendments about health concerns have been tabled on the Resolution on climate change to be debated in the European Parliament in mid-October. The amendments are supported by MEP Frederique Ries. MEPs Jo Leinen, chair of the European parliament committee and Dr Peter Liese, a committee member have also shown commitment to this issue during the past few weeks. Both spoke at the launch of the Prescription at the HEAL offices. Next steps in our advocacy efforts include reaching policy makers prior to high level meetings later this month: EU Finance Ministers (20 October), Environment Ministers (21 October) and the EU Heads of States (29 – 30 October). Our aim is to work with our members to positively influence the final negotiating position adopted by the EU for the crucial UNFCCC climate talks in Copenhagen. Both the Prescription launch and HEAL targets on climate change have featured in the European policy press Next month, the leading worldwide medical journal, The Lancet, will release a report in London on the health impact of climate change. We hope that new evidence will help show how adaptation within the health sector can benefit health but also reduce greenhouse gases and energy consumption. In addition, the findings may also help define simple, health and equity-friendly policy interventions for many other EU policy sectors in the post Copenhagen era. Are you making the environment healthier for children and young people? If you are, we strongly urge you to apply to our good practice competition. Awards will be handed out (with a cheque for 1,000 Euros for the winner in each section) at the World Health Organization meeting in Parma, Italy in March 2010. |
| 10/11/2009 | Campaign: Soot free for the climate German environmental and consumer associations have launched a campaign to address the climatic and health effects of soot. Launched in March of this year, the campaign – ‘Soot free for the climate’ aims to highlight both the well known threats to health posed by soot, or black carbon, along side the many long time underestimated problems it causes to the climate. The campaign was launched by four leading German environmental and consumer associations - Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz BUND, Naturschutzbund Deutschland NABU, Verkehrsclub Deutschland VCD and Deutsche Umwelthilfe DUH. The campaign aims is to bring the discussion of the health and climatic effects of black carbon into the political and social arena - and to establish tangible measures to reduce soot emissions. View a short film about the threats to health and environment from soot. Or view the German language version here Read more about Soot free for the Climate on their website. Most of the information is in German, but there is a background paper available in English. |
| 10/11/2009 | UNFCCC Barcelona negotiations: Prescribing for a healthy planet During the Barcelona UNFCCC negotiations, some of the world's largest medical, nursing and public health organisations called on world leaders to take bold action to address climate change. At the final climate change negotiations before the Copenhagen summit, HEAL and Health Care Without Harm launched the second stage of their campaign push for a binding climate change treaty that protects the health of the planet and the people. At the well attended press conference, a giant placard, "Prescription for a Healthy Planet" symbolically representing the interests of millions of health professionals in more than 120 countries was handed to Dr. Roberto Bertollini of the World Health Organisation. Dr Roberto Bertollini, World Health Organization said: "We want to bring the human face to the climate change talks by bringing in health. Choosing policies that reduce carbon emissions bring positive returns for health, also called co-benefits. For example, developing sustainable public transport policies, which encourage walking and cycling, and eating less red meat, can help mitigate climate change and also improve health." In receiving the Prescription for a Healthy Planet, he said the move represented "a signal of the growing concern about the impact of climate change on health." Josh Karliner, Health Care Without Harm, told the press conference: "’The Prescription for a Healthy Planet’ has been endorsed by dozens of major health organisations with millions of members. Doctors and nurses are waking up to climate change. They are going to be in Copenhagen - in the negotiating halls and on the streets." Genon Jensen, Health and Environment Alliance said: "We need to seal the deal for health in Copenhagen. Public health professionals are increasingly aware of how extreme weather events, such as heat waves and floods, affect their patients and their work whether they are living in a poorer or richer country. Recent research in 15 European cities shows that high temperatures kill and that the effects are six times higher among people with existing breathing problems are even worse affected." Whilst the Barcelona negoitiations did not deliver the substantial advances that we had hoped for in moving towards a global binding treaty, hopes are still high for a significant political deal in Copenhagen. The health community’s voice and participation is more important than ever before. What is the Prescription? Health is being forgotten in the climate change talks despite the fact that climate change is likely to eclipse the major known pandemics as the leading cause of death and disease in the 21st century. The Prescription diagnoses the global threats to public health that climate change poses while urging the world’s governments to negotiate a strong, binding agreement. The campaign calls for the Copenhagen treaty to protect public health, set strong targets on emission reductions, promote clean energy, and mandate major funding for developing countries to address the climate crisis. The Prescription allows health care leaders from around the world to speak with one voice, and insist that an agreement in Copenhagen must protect both the planet and public health. The Prescription will also act as a rallying point for action beyond the December talks. Read more about the Prescription for a healthy planet |
| 10/11/2009 | Climate change and health policy update – November 2009 Climate change Policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU On the 24th November the European Parliament will vote on the Parliament’s Resolution on climate change and discussions around the EU negotiation position. EU Environment Ministers will meet at an extraordinary Environment Council on 23 November to discuss, among other issues, the EU’s position for Copenhagen. During the UNFCCC Barcelona negotiations this month, HEAL and HCWH E focused on strengthening the health dimension and ensuring that health co-benefits are included in the official UNFCCC text. We sent letters to all national UNFCCC negotiators with our recommendations on how to improve the text. HEAL’s action on climate change and health December health delegation in Copenhagen HEAL will have an official delegation at Copenhagen (14-17 Dec) in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm. It will include high level health leaders and allow us to continue our work in increasing focus on the effects of climate change on human health with the help of the Prescription for a Healthy Planet.’ To find out the most up-to-date news on this please visit the Campaign Timeline. During the Barcelona UNFCCC negotiations 2- 6 November 2009, we presented the Prescription for a Healthy Planet to global policy makers. Read more about the Global Launch. For an update on the campaign progress to date see the Campaign Timeline At Barcelona we also launched the Prescription's website - you can now sign up to the join the campaign to bring a focus on health into the climate negotiations - www.climateandhealthcare.org HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWHE) produced recommendations to UNFCCC negotiators on how to strengthen health dimension in UNFCCC text towards Copenhagen. Read these here Your action Become a signatory of Prescription. Add your name to the growing list of individuals and organisations calling for Global leaders to avert a global public health crisis now by abating climate change - this is a number one priority in Copenhagen and beyond. Sign up here |
| 10/11/2009 | High level health delegation at the Copenhagen Climate Summit HEAL and our member organisation, Health Care Without Harm, will bring a high level health delegation to the climate talks in Copenhagen next month. The united voice of the health community will help to bring home one message: Global leaders must avert a global public health crisis now by abating climate change - this is a number one priority in Copenhagen and beyond. Over the last two months HEAL, together with HCWH, have presented our 'Prescription for a Healthy Planet' to European and Global decision makers. Our next step to help protect public health from climate change is to bring a delegation of leading health and medical experts, as well as public health advocates and health NGOs to the UNFCCC Copenhagen Climate Summit. Each day we will hold briefings to provide input, highlight side events and actions during the day. The delegation will bring together 20 representatives of the health and medical community and will also support the side event of the World Health Organisation planned for 17th December. Alongside HEAL and HCWH, the international participants from the health community will include representatives from: • Climate and Health Council • World Medical Association, • Danish Medical Council, • European Respiratory Society (ERS) • Association for Research and Treatment against Cancer (ARTAC) • Medsin-UK • Harvard Medical School, Center for Health and the Global Environment • ETA Umweltmanagement GmbH • European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) • Women for Green Way for Generations (WGWG) • Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) • Institut fuer Nachhaltigkeit im Gesundheitswesen (INGES) • International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IMFSA) • • Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) The delegation will continue to highlight the need to put health at the centre for climate change negotiations. By bringing together key figures from the health community, we will ensure that our message on the health effects of climate change is heard in Copenhagen. Through this delegation we can then collectively build a strategy for post-Copenhagen efforts among the health community. |
| 10/11/2009 | Pesticides and health policy update - November 2009 Pesticides policy developments - A overview of policy developments in the EU. In the European Parliament work has started on the Revision of the EU Biocides Law. On 4 November, the EP’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety held its first exchange of view. MEPs raised concerns about the safety and protection against hazardous biocides. Key issues will be the cut-off for hazardous biocides, mutual recognition of biocides products and including nano biocides in the new law. Discussion will continue in January, when the rapporteur Christa Klass (EPP, Germany) will present her draft report. HEAL’s action on Pesticides For the first discussion in the ENVI Committee, HEAL send a letter to all ENVI Members with key demands, and also issue a joint press release with PAN Germany/Europe. Read the press release here As part of the Sick of Pesticides UK Campaign UK initiative, in September we have launched two on-line questionnaires; one directed at the schools themselves, and another for citizens to survey their own schools. We will be collating the responses from these questionnaires next week - we'll keep you posted on the results! Your action Fill in our survey: Find out which pesticides are in your school? If you are not based in the UK, please disseminate to your UK contacts! Find the questionnaire here Let us know if you would like to translate and adapt the school survey in your country - please contact Genon |
| 10/11/2009 | Commission lowers maximum residue levels for 11 pesticides Following safety concerns of eleven pesticide active substances because of safety concerns, the European Commission has adopted a regulation to lower the maximum residue levels (MRLs). The move comes after recent research from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) highlighted a variety of safety concerns over the pesticide ingredients. New information on toxicology, consumer exposure and residue levels led EFSA to call for the reduction of MRLs, this would provide protection to the most vulnerable groups, such as children. At the request of the Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed the safety of these MRLs taking into account the latest available information. For several of them, EFSA concluded that there is a risk that acceptable intake levels may be exceeded for one or more consumer groups, such as children. Based these findings then, the Commission decided to lower the MRLs for all pesticide crop combinations for which a potential risk was established. The adopted MRL regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. More information can be found here |
| 10/11/2009 | Cancer organisation announces position on non-cosmetic pesticides In November, the Canadian Cancer Society, a national community-based organisation of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer, announced their official position on non-cosmetic pesticides in November. In a recent statement, the CCS states that when pesticides are needed in non-cosmetic settings, they should be part of a plan to control pests that includes pest prevention, using pesticides in the lowest amounts possible and using safer alternatives. They state that risks and benefits of the non-cosmetic use of pesticides should be assessed depending on each situation. They have presented these situations as follows: Pesticide use in agriculture Encourage the use of farming practices that reduces the use of pesticides to minimise exposure. Pesticide residues on vegetables and fruit While there are known health benefits to eating vegetables and fruit, there is not enough evidence about possible harm from pesticide residues on food. The amount of pesticide residue allowed on vegetables and fruit should be as low as possible to reduce exposure. At this time, research has not shown a difference in the health benefits between organically grown vegetables and fruit and those grown using other farming methods that may include pesticides. The CCS is reviewing research on pesticide residues on food and with the intention to update their position in due course. Pressure-treated lumber CCS supports a ban on the use of chromium copper arsenate (CCA) – which contains known cancer-causing substances – to pressure-treat lumber. Pesticide use to control West Nile virus CCS believes that chemical spraying against mosquitoes should be used only as a last resort to control West Nile virus. The Canadian Cancer Society advises reducing, and even eliminating, exposure to pesticides where possible. They also have a position on Cosmetic use of pesticides (i.e. to make lawns, gardens and other green spaces look better by controlling unwanted weeds and plants), which acknowledges their danger to health and calls for an outright ban on usage. More information about CCS and pesticides: Community right to know CCs support a community’s right to know when pesticides are being used in their area so they can make informed decisions about protecting their health. Product labelling The CCS calls for manufacturers to identify all ingredients in consumer products, including pesticides. When there are cancer-causing ingredients in pesticides, they should be identified by a hazard symbol, as well as clear plain language information about the ingredient. Ingredients include active ingredients, non-active ingredients (formulants) and possible contaminants. This information should be easy for the buyer or user to see. Research Read more about CCS’s position on pesticides: English or French |
| 10/11/2009 | Open Letter: The precautionary principle and chemicals In November, Pink Ribbon, the online breast cancer awareness magazine, published a letter on the application of the precautionary principle for known cancer causing chemicals. Pink Ribbon Magazine aims to ensure that awareness does not stop outside of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a major online cancer magazine known to receive funds from the private sector, it is encouraging to see the publication of the following open letter from the Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign. Letter posted on Pink Ribbon - 10th November 2009 Dear Pink Ribbon, The constant refutation by those in the cancer industry who stand to lose out if harmful chemicals are banned is to say the least tiresome. How much evidence is needed before the precautionary principle is applied to all known carcinogenic substances? The evidence that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are contributing to the increasing incidence of breast cancer is growing on a daily basis. The most comprehensive compilation of this evidence to date is /The State of the Evidence/ (Fifth Edition, 2008), published by the Breast Cancer Fund in the US. Bisphenol A, just one of many known EDCs, has already been listed as a toxic substance in Canada, which has been the first country in the world to ban the sale and import of all baby bottles/products containing BPA. Many states in the USA have also banned the use of this chemical in baby products. How long must we wait for the UK to follow suit? It is, to say the least, insulting to hear the continual onslaught on female diet and lifestyle when we know that less than half of breast cancer cases can be attributed to these causes. The impact of chemical toxins in the environment, including personal care products, begs investigation so that woman can be honestly informed to enable them to make choices which suit them. The persistent emphasis on alcohol consumption and weight in relation to breast cancer by the media and cancer charities has become insulting to the many women who work hard, eat well and try to enjoy life while staying within the recommended limits. Most breast cancer survivors are /not guilty as charged/ of high levels of alcohol consumption and/or poor diet. The image of an obese, drunken ladette is not what is witnessed in most breast clinics. Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign |
| 10/11/2009 | Chemicals policy update - November 2009 Chemicals policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. The Swedish Presidency of the European Union Council is leading discussions on exposures to Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) and the need to take into account the combined effects of hazardous chemicals, particularly EDCs. The so-called ‘Cumulative effects’ are not explicitly included in EU risk assessments, including REACH. HEAL is following developments and advocating for strong conclusions at the December Environment Ministers Council (21st or 22nd Dec). The European Commission is considering putting forward a proposal to regulate limits of Cadmium in phosphate fertilizers. Cadmium is variously recognized as a potential, suspected or definite carcinogen, is known to be toxic to the kidneys, and newer science suggests links with lung, bladder, breast and endometrial cancer. The Commission is examining different options to reduce humans’ exposure by limiting cadmium input to agricultural soils, and to harmonize the common market for phosphate fertilizers. The Commission has been canvassing the views of stakeholders and Member States. If a proposal is made, it will be sometime next year, after going through an Impact Assessment Review Board and internal Commission consultation. For more details, contact Lisette. The European Parliamentary examination of ROHS (‘Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment’) has started, with a first discussion in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee on November 4th. The Rapporteur is looking to widen the scope of the law to other categories of products, and to increase the list of banned substances, with appropriate transition periods and some possibilities for exemptions. It will be important to get support from the political groups on these changes, and to ensure that ROHS is not weakened in relation to the REACH chemicals regulation. HEAL’s action on environment and health HEAL and ChemTrust have sent a joint letter on Endocrine Disruptors and cumulative risk assessment to all EU Environment Ministers, with the recent ChemTRUST reports on Male Reproductive disorders, and the HEAL-ChemTrust materials on Breast Cancer. HEAL, ChemTrust and WWF met with a commission official to discuss developments under the European community strategy on Endocrine Disruptors and ways forward regarding future regulatory measures. HEAL attended a Commission workshop on Cadmium in phosphate fertilizers on October 28th, and will be making a written submission about which policy option best meets the aim of decreasing human exposure to cadmium from fertilizers via soil. HEAL is joining with a group of NGOs in advocating for improvements to ROHS, with a joint position paper to be circulated in Parliament. Your action HEAL members, partners and other interested parties can use our model letter to contact your national environment minister, and urge them to support cumulative risk assessment especially for endocrine disruptors. Please contact us for further details and materials we have to assist you. HEAL is continuing our work on consumer right to know and hazardous chemicals in products, with some further steps this winter and next year. If you are interested in participating with specific actions and projects, please contact Lisette for more details. You can contact Members of Parliament on the ENVI Cancer report, or ROHS, or other topics passing through Parliament that we are monitoring. Please check with us about which MEPs to address and when, and get more information to support your messages. |
| 10/11/2009 | HEAL Secretariat News November 2009 Publications New Campaign: Prescription for a Healthy Planet Prescription for a Healthy Planet The role of global decision makers Giant Prescription for the global launch Recommendations concerning international climate change talks, Barcelona 2-6 November, 2009 - Bringing the health dimension into current UNFCCC negotiating text Briefing and recommendations concerning - Commission Communication. Stepping up international finance: a European blueprint for the Copenhagen deal Competition: Children's environment and health Call for Entries - 2nd Children’s environmental health project competition (EN) Entry Form - Children’s environmental health project competition (RU) Entry Form - Children’s environmental health project competition (EN) Sick of Pesticides UK campaign Pesticides in Schools: a guide for citizens Pesticides in Schools: a guide for local authorities Young people in environment and health HEAL launched a youth and health and environment blog - a live portal to bring together the voices of young people from around the world. http://env-health-youth.blogspot.com Press Releases 16/11/2009 Time to pull Mercury out of fillings 04/11/2009 EU Biocide Policy – Safety for Health and Biodiversity first! 04/11/2009 Health leaders call for strong measures on climate change 20/10/2009 Health impact of climate change not recognised in Parliamentary resolution Conferences and meetings 12th – 15th October. Genon Jensen participated in discussions during the next drafting committee meeting for the Parma Ministerial Declaration on 13 October in Parma, Italy and the EEHC on 14-15 October. Alina Bezhenar also participated as a Youth Representative. 12th – 13th October. Lisette van Vliet participated in the Competent Authorities for REACH and CLP (CARACAL). She presented a joint NGO position paper on public access to data on chemicals registered under REACH. The relevant article with link to the paper can be found here 21st October. Genon participated in a meeting with DGSANCO’s Expert Group on Indoor Air Quality in Luxembourg. 27th – 30th October. Alison Cohen attended the National Environmental Public Health Conference in Atlanta. 2nd – 5th November. HEAL presented the Prescription for a Healthy Planet to global decision makers during the UNFCCC negotiations in Barcelona. Genon Jensen and Josh Karliner (Heath Care Without Harm) Presented the prescription to Dr Roberto Bertollini of the World Health Organisation. Pendo Maro and Diana Smith were present from the HEAL team. 3rd November. Anne Stauffer took part in a panel discussion as part of the final workshop of the PRONET project. The panel and conference discussed “Options to improve environment and health in European regions”. For more info |
| 10/11/2009 | European Commission seeks to tackle health inequalities The European Commission states that health must be given a higher priority among the European Union’s various policies and funding programmes, to raise standards throughout the continent. HEAL member, The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), sees this latest move as a positive opportunity to redirect the focus of EU priorities and spending. On October 20th the Commission released a long awaited communication taking the first steps to tackle health inequalities within and between Member States in Europe. The 'Communication on Solidarity in Health: Reducing health inequalities in the EU’, sees greater scope in the use of the billions of pounds the European Union spends every year on regional and social projects to tackle the health inequalities which exist within and between countries. Despite a general improvement in public health levels in Europe, differences exist in key indicators such as mortality rates, incidence of disease, and available treatment. Life expectancy at birth varies throughout Europe by up to eight years for women and 14 years for men. There are fears that in the current economic climate the health gap could increase in groups, notably the unemployed, worst hit by the recession. The WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health has a developed framework for action to reduce these inequalities. EPHA calls on the European Commission to use this Communication as a stepping stone to bring about an effective and permanent change, specifically to address the underlying drivers of health inequalities that lie outside the health system. "Current policies are failing our most vulnerable," said Monika Kosinska, EPHA's Secretary General. "We know what the problems are - this Communication marks an important first step but we need to be bold and move away from business as usual." EPHA believe that with the post-Lisbon agenda, the Commission now has the opportunity to tackle problems at the Community level, by placing health and health equity high in its new framework for regeneration. Read more on the EPHA position here. EuroHealthNet, a leading EU organisation working to address inequalities in health within and between EU states, has also welcomed the adoption of the Communication (read the press release here). EuroHealthNet director, Clive Needle, congratulated the European Commission on its move saying "As the new Commission starts its work there will be many ways – from the highest post Lisbon priorities to local initiatives – that work to improve health equity can and will contribute to the needs of all citizens and common EU objectives. EuroHealthNet – which networks health promotion agencies across the EU – has put addressing inequalities at the core of its mission since its inception when the EU mandate in health began. It now looks forward to a new impetus for far-reaching actions and will play a strong part in realising the encouraging words of the Commission.” Androulla Vassiliou, the EU health commissioner, said, "I want to see a Europe where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a high level of health regardless of where they live or their social or ethnic background. We have recognised that health inequalities need to be tackled." A meeting between European and national experts is due to be held in Brussels in November to determine the concrete contribution the Commission could make to reduce existing health inequalities. This is expected to explore the possibility of EU funds being used to co-finance national health information and promotion campaigns and other measures, including the development of e-health. |
| 10/11/2009 | HEAL launches environment and health blog for young people The beginning of November saw the launch of HEAL’s Health and Environment blog for Youth. The blog will bring together young people from around the world to discuss issues around environment and health and will help to highlight youth activities and opinions. Youth are the present - not just the future Increasingly, young people are becoming integral to the decision-making process. Youth delegates participate in high-level preparatory meetings, raising awareness of issues that affect young people throughout the world. The Health and Environment Blog will provide information about health and environment issues and projects as well photos and videos. It will also provide a discussion forum for young people active in health and environment issues. The blog will be coordinated by Alina Bezhenar, the Health and Environment Youth Coordinator. Alina has been involved into youth environment and health process in Europe since 2004, currently she is one of the four CEHAPE/EEHC international youth representatives. As HEAL’s Youth Representative and part of the youth environment and health network, Alina will be preparing a preparatory youth meeting prior to 5th Ministerial Conference in Parma, in Italy in 2010. One of the objectives for young people at the Ministerial, is to extend the youth network to all 53 countries in the WHO’s European Region and have a representative for each country. Join the blog If you have information about youth environment and health activities or projects, please contact Alina alina@env-health.org who can post them on the blog. |
| 10/11/2009 | Environment and health policy update - November 2009 Environment and Health Policy developments - An overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. Human Biomonitoring week - Nov 30th - Dec 2nd This week will see the kick off of the Human Biomonitoring programme - COPHES (Consortium to Perform Human biomonitoring) on a European Scale. DG Environment - Consultative Forum on Environment and Health, Dec 3rd HEAL and many of HEAL members have participated in the Consultative Forum since it was created in 2004 to give strategic and practical feedback on the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health 2004-2010 (EHAP). This meeting will discuss the draft report on EHAP and the various sub sections of the action plan including indoor air quality, human biomonitoring, research-policy interface, electro-magnetic fields. The European Parliament will be issuing its own Resolution on the European Commission’s Cancer Communication and the Partnership for Action Against Cancer, issued in July. The Parliament has taken very good positions on Cancer in the past, highlighting the connection with exposures to industrial chemical carcinogens and other chemicals in the environment, and we look to them again to make strong points about the need for ‘environmental prevention’. The Report will be discussed and voted on in Environment, Public health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee next spring. There will also be opinions from two other committees: Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, and the Industry, Research and Energy. The European Commission, having launched its Partnership for Action Against Cancer, put out a call for interested stakeholders to apply to participate. HEAL’s action on environment and health HEAL will be an official partner in the COPHES project, and be represented by Lisette van Vliet, Alison Cohen and Genon Jensen at the meetings in November and December. HEAL and HEAL members will be providing input to implementation process of the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health 2004-2010. HEAL will be following developments in the European Parliament on the Commission’s Cancer Communication, and disseminating our publications on Breast Cancer and Male Reproductive Health disorders as relevant. HEAL have applied to become a member of the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer, and is looking to become active in the Prevention Workgroup. Updates on this issue can be obtained by becoming members of our ‘Environment and Cancer’ email distribution list (contact Lisette) HEAL and WECF launch competition on Children’s Environmental Health Launch. Five years after the launch of the “Children Environmental and Health Action Plan for Europe” (CEHAPE), we are now seeking entries to the second CEHAPE Good Practice Awards. Read more HEAL have launched a Health and Environment blog for Youth. The blog will bring together young people from around the world to discuss issues around environment and health and will help to highlight youth activities and opinions. If you would like more information please contact Alina Your action Contribute to the draft progress report on EHAP: HEAL and HEAL members will be providing comments on the progress report. If you would like to provide input please contact Genon. Feedback: Can you provide expertise or participte in any Cancer Partnership workgroup? We can coordinate and exchange information. Please email Lisette van Vliet Enter the CEHAPE Good Practice Awards, we want to hear about your projects and campaigns in children’s environment and health. The winners of each category will be awarded 1,000 Euros towards their project, and will be invited to present their project at the Parma Ministerial. The deadline of December 11th is fast approaching! Read more More information and articles on environment and health from September and October 2009. Report: Every Child Matters (ECM) - The paper explores the influence of the environment on children's wellbeing and is written for everyone designing and delivering services that impact on children's lives. Read the report here Films: Eco Tube – the environmental web portal. Hear Al Gore talk about his new book, Vision of the Future Awards: MEP achievements recognised at Parliament Magazine awards Fact Sheet: Safe Drinking Water in Schools New website: Connecting the health community across the globe to discuss social determinants of health - The Equity channel Survey and Health Assessment: The exposure of 2 year-olds to chemical substances in Consumer Products Info: Find out the noise levels in your area Event: The 20th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion - Health, Equity and Sustainable Development - Geneva, 11-15 July, 2010. For more information, please the conference website |
| 10/11/2009 | Environment and health action in Europe – is it making a difference? When the Commission adopted its first strategy on environment and health in 2003, also known as SCALE, the vision was far reaching – to reduce ill health caused by environmental factors in Europe. It put a special focus on vulnerable groups, such as children, and pledged to identify emerging health threats linked to the environment, such as endocrine disrupters. In 2004 this strategy was translated into an EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP), and the HEAL secretariat and many of our members took part in many of its implementation meetings. In 2010, EHAP comes to an end; during early December this year a series of meetings will take place in Brussels to discuss its achievements. A draft report reviewing the Plan's track record is already available and an important objective of the talks will be to identify future priorities. The HEAL secretariat will again take part in these meetings organised by DG Environment, DGSANCO and DG Research, along with many of its members. HEAL believes that there should be a second action plan, and that the original overarching SCALE vision be re-established as a basis for future work. Although the current action plan is not legally-binding, nor well-resourced, it does create international visibility for "environment and health" as an important theme in European policy. Moreover, the EHAP process has contributed to creating more health protecting EU environmental policies, such as those on pesticides and air quality. In practical terms, it offers opportunities for HEAL members to advocate on their priorities and for the HEAL secretariat to bring the health arguments to the "Green 10" environmental groups and policy-makers working at EU level. Having an EU action plan has also created an important forum for stakeholder discussion on key environmental health issues, and policy responses. It has helped raise the profile of some emerging issues, such as electromagnetic fields, and has laid the foundations for a future EU biomonitoring programme. Biomonitoring in Europe should substantially increase public awareness of and responses to how chemicals are contaminating our bodies while providing relevant information for EU policy makers on reducing exposure. Children's environmental health action plans In parallel, the World Health Organisation (WHO) discussions are continuing to assess the added-value of environment and health policies in the wider Pan European region of 53 countries (Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health), particularly on how children’s environmental health action plans (CEHAPE) are making a difference. HEAL members and other NGOs have an opportunity to bring their achievements to this review process. Three weeks remain until the deadline for entries to our good practice competition. Applications for the second CEHAPE - Children's Environmental Health Award must be received by December 7. If you are involved in a project that you believe to be making the environment healthier for children and young people, we strongly urge you to apply (read more here). Awards will be presented at a ceremony (with 1,000 Euros for the winning entry in each section) during the WHO meeting in Parma, Italy in March 2010. |
| 08/11/2009 | Environment and health action in Europe – is it making a difference? When the Commission adopted its first strategy on environment and health in 2003, also known as SCALE, the vision was far reaching – to reduce ill health caused by environmental factors in Europe. It put a special focus on vulnerable groups, such as children, and pledged to identify emerging health threats linked to the environment, such as endocrine disrupters. In 2004 this strategy was translated into an EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP), and the HEAL secretariat and many of our members took part in many of its implementation meetings. In 2010, EHAP comes to an end; during early December this year a series of meetings will take place in Brussels to discuss its achievements. A draft report reviewing the Plan's track record is already available and an important objective of the talks will be to identify future priorities. The HEAL secretariat will again take part in these meetings organised by DG Environment, DGSANCO and DG Research, along with many of its members. HEAL believes that there should be a second action plan, and that the original overarching SCALE vision be re-established as a basis for future work. Although the current action plan is not legally-binding, nor well-resourced, it does create international visibility for "environment and health" as an important theme in European policy. Moreover, the EHAP process has contributed to creating more health protecting EU environmental policies, such as those on pesticides and air quality. In practical terms, it offers opportunities for HEAL members to advocate on their priorities and for the HEAL secretariat to bring the health arguments to the "Green 10" environmental groups and policy-makers working at EU level. Having an EU action plan has also created an important forum for stakeholder discussion on key environmental health issues, and policy responses. It has helped raise the profile of some emerging issues, such as electromagnetic fields, and has laid the foundations for a future EU biomonitoring programme. Biomonitoring in Europe should substantially increase public awareness of and responses to how chemicals are contaminating our bodies while providing relevant information for EU policy makers on reducing exposure. Children's environmental health action plans In parallel, the World Health Organisation (WHO) discussions are continuing to assess the added-value of environment and health policies in the wider Pan European region of 53 countries (Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health), particularly on how children’s environmental health action plans (CEHAPE) are making a difference. HEAL members and other NGOs have an opportunity to bring their achievements to this review process. Three weeks remain until the deadline for entries to our good practice competition. Applications for the second CEHAPE - Children's Environmental Health Award must be received by December 7. If you are involved in a project that you believe to be making the environment healthier for children and young people, we strongly urge you to apply (read more here). Awards will be presented at a ceremony (with 1,000 Euros for the winning entry in each section) during the WHO meeting in Parma, Italy in March 2010. |
| 10/10/2009 | Global warming is more harmful for people with respiratory problems, specialists warn The estimated increase in the risk of premature death among people with respiratory problems that would result from a 1°C rise in global temperature is more than double that in the rest of the population, states HEAL member, the European Respiratory Society (ERS). As pressure mounts on governments to agree tougher measures to tackle climate change at negotiations in Copenhagen, ERS urge policy makers and health professionals to pay greater attention to the effects of global warming on people with asthma, rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory tract infections. In the position statement published in their European Respiratory Journal, ERS highlight factors that could affect respiratory diseases in the short and long term. These include extreme temperatures, changes in air pollution, floods, damp housing, thunderstorms, changes in allergen disposition and consequent allergies, forest^ fires, and dust storms. The research shows that an increase in temperature of 1°C would produce a 1-3% increase in all cause mortality in the general population but a 6% increase among people with respiratory illnesses. ERS emphasises the need for more research into improving predictive models, supplemented by continuous prospective measurement and assessment of the key exposures that affect respiratory health. The paper goes on further to recommend that health professionals receive more education on the consequences of global warming "to ensure that patients are adequately informed of how changing weather patterns could affect their health and how medications could affect their sensitivity to heatwaves." It also advises that respiratory physicians should check on vulnerable patients, carrying out medical assessments ahead of the summer season, and should advise on routine care, including fluid intake and adjustment of drug treatments during hot weather. Jon Ayres, director of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Birmingham and lead author of the position statement, notes that much higher temperatures in the summer have a "marked" effect on patients with lung diseases. He said, "If we can provide better warning systems and information for respiratory patients and encourage stronger action to mitigate the effects of climate change fewer people will die unnecessarily." The report says that climate change will alter the incidence of some infections, with some, such as tuberculosis, increasing, while others, such as respiratory syncytial virus infections, become less of a problem. The timing and duration of respiratory syncytial virus infections have already changed since the mid-1990s, with the season ending earlier and attacks becoming less severe as temperatures have risen. Although advocating regulatory change to improve air quality through the introduction of more stringent standards for vehicle and industry emissions, ERS also emphasises the need for lifestyle changes to reduce energy consumption. |
| 10/10/2009 | Pesticides and health policy update – October 2009 Pesticides policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. The revision of the Biocides Directive (non agricultural use of a plant/fungicide) also is now in the European Parliament this autumn. Key issues will be what sorts of criteria are developed to exclude certain biocides from use, such as PBTs (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic), Endocrine Disruptors (with what definition) and with what exceptions. On September 24th, the Council of Ministers voted to adopt the Pesticide Authorisation Regulation. It switches the approval of pesticides from the risk-based approach to the use of hazard-based "cut-off" criteria. The Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides was also approved, requiring EU Member States to set up National Action Plans. HEAL’s action on Pesticides As part of the Sick of Pesticides UK Campaign UK initiative, we have launched two on-line questionnaires; one directed at the schools themselves, and another for citizens to survey their own schools. Read more Your action Fill in our survey: Find out which pesticides are in your school? If you are not based in the UK, please disseminate to your UK contacts! Find the questionnaire here Let us know if you would like to translate and adapt the school survey in your country - please contact Genon |
| 10/10/2009 | Council vote to adopt pesticides regulations On the 24th September that European Council of Ministers voted to adopt three major pieces of pesticide legislation – including the long awaited pesticides framework directive and the regulation on the authorization of pesticides. The regulation and the framework directive were originally proposed by the European Commission in Summer 2006. They were then passed by the European Parliament in January of this year, in a second reading agreement with Council. Finally, after months of waiting, the Council of Ministers finally adopted the regulation and directive. The Framework directive: Two Member States - Ireland and Poland - abstained in the vote on the framework directive. Poland made a statement especially linked to aerial spaying which you can read here. There we no votes against the directive. The adoption of the directive means that Member States will now have three years to convert this into national law. By 2012, they have to set up National Action Plans for Pesticide Reduction with quantitative objectives and indicators. Read the adopted text in English. The Plant protection products (PPP) regulation: The adoption will switch the approval of pesticides from the risk-based approach to the use of hazard-based "cut-off" criteria. Two Member States - Ireland and Hungary- abstained from the vote. The vote went through despite huge opposition from the UK government. The United Kingdom were the only Member State to vote against. Statements from Hungary, United Kingdom and the European Commission can be found here. The adoption of the PPP regulation means that the European Commission now has 18 months to develop a set of implementation rules. Read the adopted text in English Amending the machinery directive All Member States voted in favour of the changes to the machinery directive. For further information, a statement on the engagement of the European Commission on intention to address environmental aspects of sprayers European in the Committee for Standardisation (CEN) can be found here. The adopted text in English can be found here |
| 10/09/2009 | Protocol on pollutant release registers to enter force An international protocol for recording and reporting emissions of 86 pollutants from industrial facilities and other sources, such as traffic, will enter force on 8 October following France's ratification of the law in July. Aiming to improve public access to information on the environment and thus contribute in the long term to the prevention and reduction of pollution, the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR was agreed in 2003. Over the past few months France, the UK and Hungary have ratified the protocol, raising the number of ratifications from member states to nineteen - 16 was the agreed threshold needed to trigger entry into force. The PRTR will act as an inventory of pollutants. Under the new protocol, firms are required to report annually the amounts of certain pollutants they release to the environment or transfer to other facilities. Emissions from agriculture and medium-sized companies are covered by the national inventories. Practically speaking, this means that a publicly accessible internet database will be created at EU level. Access will be free of charge enabling citizens to find information using various search criteria (i.e. type of pollutant, geographical location, affected environments, etc.) In the EU, the first inventory of the new European pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) will be published this autumn, based on 2007 data. The PRTR register is wider than its predecessor (EPER). It covers releases from diffuse sources and off-site waste transfers, in line with the protocol. Read more of PRTR UNECE web-pages on the PRTR protocol Swiss government press release Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 January 2006 concerning the establishment of a European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register and amending Council Directives 91/689/EEC and 96/61/EC. |
| 10/09/2009 | Climate change and health policy update – October 2009 Climate change Policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. This month will see the European Parliament Resolution on climate change and discussions around the EU negotiation position. The Council will be discussing the newly released proposals on the EU’s contribution to climate change financing. HEAL will keep you posted on their progress. Watch the vote on October 19th in the Parliament’s Environment Committee to see if MEPs support amendments on health in their draft Resolution on climate change. During the UNFCCC Bangkok negotiations this month, the focus was on how much and who pays for the costs of climate change adaptation and mitigation. HEAL is advocating that by 2020 the EU contribute at least 35 billion Euros per year to fund global action on climate change, including within the health sector. HEAL’s action on climate change and health – Oct 2009 European launch of the Prescription for a Healthy Planet. Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWHE) briefing and recommendations concerning the Commission's communication - Stepping up international finance: a European blueprint for the Copenhagen deal. Your action: Become a signatory Download HEAL members’ new publications: Chartered Institute of Environment and Health 1. Climate Change and its Health Implications - a summary report for environmental health practitioners on the health implications of climate change 2. Climate Change, Public Health and Health Inequalities European Lung Foundation Fact Sheets on Climate change and lungs - For Adults and for children. |
| 10/09/2009 | REACH: the second list of ‘very harmful’ chemicals is proposed The European Chemicals Agency have published a list of proposed new chemicals to be added to the REACH list of Substances of Very High Concern. On the 1st September, the ECHA released the list of 15 new chemicals to be added to the REACH list of Substances of Very High Concern. The chemicals comprise substances that negatively affect human health (carcinogenic, mutagenic, and/or reprotoxic, or CMR) and that negatively affect the environment (persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB)). The majority of these compounds are also on the Substitute It Now! (SIN) list compiled by the International Chemical Secretariat and the Trade Union Priority list compiled by the European Trade Union Confederation. The number of proposals contrasts with the number of chemicals already known to fulfill the criteria of very high concern. |
| 10/09/2009 | Interview with Prof. Christopher Wild, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) In June 2009, HEAL interviewed Professor Christopher Wild to find out its opinion on the links between cancer and the environment and what evidence is being delivered by the compelling science. Lisette van Vliet, HEAL´s Toxics Policy Advisor, asked him three questions: What are the links between cancer and environment?How IARC is researching these links especially with relation to cancer, environment, chemicals, life style etc.?What are the gaps in scientific knowledge? You can watch the interview on YouTube Professor Wild was elected as a new director of the International Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC) in May 2008 and took office on 1 January 2009 for a five-year term. To find out more information please read Chemicals Health Monitor article entitled "IARC new director elected". |
| 10/09/2009 | Chemicals and health policy update – October 2009 Chemicals policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. The European Chemicals Agency is running a public consultation until mid October on the 15 new proposed chemicals of ‘very high concern’ under REACH. The phthalate DIBP, proposed for its property of being toxic to reproduction, is one of the 15. These chemicals, if / when officially adopted, go on to the Candidate List, and become subject to consumer right to know disclosures (see weblink to chm take action), and later may be given priority to undergo the ‘authorisation’ process. Public comments about any of the 15 chemicals are welcome, and the comments can be either general; specific to the ‘justification’ submitted for placing this chemical on the candidate list, or pertain to use, exposure, alternatives and risks; or any additional (including confidential) information. More Information This autumn will see the European Parliament working on the ROHS Directive ‘Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment’. Key issues include whether more hazardous substances will be added to the ban, and whether restrictive action is linked to REACH procedures. HEAL is monitoring developments and is collaborating with a number of other groups to strengthen the directive in its own right. HEAL’s action on chemicals HEAL has participated in the Meeting of Competent Authorities on REACH and Classification & Labelling of Hazardous Substances (11 - 12 October) HEAL and ChemTrust new leaflet about threats to Male Reproductive health and Endocrine Disruptors. Consumer Right to Know brochure available soon in Danish and Icelandic. HEAL has contributed to joint position paper on REACH and Public Access to Information on Chemicals - this will be available soon. HEAL has been following the developments in REACH on public access to information about chemicals from the REACH registration dossiers. We have made submissions to the European Chemicals Agency, and anticipate developing a joint position paper on the subject together with other NGOs active on REACH implementation. Your action HEAL will be submitting comments on the phthalate DIBP, and can collate and your input if desired. Please contact Lisette for more details. Consumer Right to Know brochure - Members can circulate these leaflets to the public, and request information from retailers and manufacturers about harmful chemicals in products you buy. You can find the leaflets here. Don’t forget to send us the answers you receive! |
| 10/09/2009 | HEAL Secretariat News September - October 2009 Staff changes This month we welcome three new faces to the HEAL team – Anne Stauffer, Alison Cohen and Alina Bezhenar. Anne Stauffer as joined HEAL as Policy Manager. Anne will be coordinating HEAL’s overall policy input into the EU decision-making process, HEAL representation, operation and programme management, as well as supporting HEAL’s member organisations in strengthening their policy and advocacy capacity. Before joining HEAL, Anne worked as a research and policy coordinator in the European Parliament on environmental health issues. She was also a Project Coordinator for the National Council of German Women’s Organizations. Anne holds an M.A. in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Freiburg, Germany, and has completed graduate work in Gender Studies in the United States. Alison Cohen has joined HEAL as the new Chemicals Health Monitor Project Assistant. Alison is US-EU Fulbright scholar studying REACH and will be working in a part-time capacity for HEAL. Alison graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in May 2009 in Community Health and Education Policy. She has worked with the Brown University Superfund Research Program’s Community Outreach Core, where she worked on environmental health and environmental justice outreach and advocacy with community-based organizations across Rhode Island. Alison was recognised as a Udall Scholar for environmental leadership and a member of USA Today 2009 All-USA College Academic Team for her work developing place-based, standards-aligned environmental health justice curricula for California and Rhode Island middle school students. As a 2007 Royce fellow, she worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Health and Environment division on airborne mercury pollution from cement kilns and identifying the presence of phthalates in air fresheners. Most recently, she worked with a University of California-Berkeley faculty member and organizers at Communities for a Better Environment to conduct a community-based, policy-relevant environmental health survey in Richmond, an area highly impacted by a major oil refinery, manufacturing, and transit corridors. A native San Franciscan, Alison enjoys discovering her city’s hidden staircases. Alina Bezhenar joins us from Russia as the new Health and Environment Youth Coordinator. In her 6 month placement with HEAL, Alina will be working with HEAL members and young people in preparation for the 5th Ministerial Conference in March in Parma, Italy. She has been involved in environment and health issues since 2004 when she took part in the HEAL video project on young people’s voices on environment and health - ‘It’s Out World, Our Future Too’. Through this project, Alina became a youth participant at the 4th Ministerial Conference in Budapest organised by World Health Organisation. In 2007, she became a Youth CEHAPE Delegate for the World Health Organisation. She has also participated in the TUNZA initiative (a programme organized by UNEP) and Climate Change Campaign (UNFCCC programme / member of European Youth Climate Change Network). Publications New Campaign: Prescription for a Healthy Planet Prescription for a healthy planet European Launch Join the campaign Briefing and recommendations concerning - Commission Communication. Stepping up international finance: a European blueprint for the Copenhagen deal Competition: Children's environment and health Call for Entries - 2nd Children’s environmental health project competition (EN) Entry Form - Children’s environmental health project competition (RU) Entry Form - Children’s environmental health project competition (EN) Sick of Pesticides UK campaign Pesticides in Schools: a guide for citizens Pesticides in Schools: a guide for local authorities Press Releases 06/10/2009 Commissioner receives health "Prescription" on climate change, 6 October 2009 Conference and meetings 25th – 29th August - International Society for Environmental Epidemiology Annual Conference held in Dublin. The theme this year was Environment, Food and Global Health. Genon and Lisette attended, Lisette presented a paper at Syposium 31 – entitled 'Environment and Cancer – new North American and EU prevention initiatives. Genon participated in a panel discussion about the needs of NGOs on air quality and health impacts as part of the EU research project called APHKEOM. 31st August– Pendo attended the World Medical Association Seminar on health and Climate Change. She distributed our Prescription for a Healthy Planet and asked national medical associations in EU and the WMA for endorsement. 1st September – Lisette attended the Swedish Presidency at the Swedish Permanent Representation, Brussels. There she took part in a discussion with Andreas Carlgren, Swedish Minister for the Environment, on the Swedish Presidency's Environment priorities. 1st September - Genon, Diana, Lisette, Gill attended a reception in European Parliament hosted by Rebecca Harms (MEP) and the Green 10. The event was a huge success with over thirty-two MEPs in attendance, as well as MEP assistants and Political advisors. The event provides fantastic networking opportunities as well a great exposure for the Green 10 with the Parliament. 4th – 6th September - Gill Erskine attended the Pesticide Action Network (Europe) Annual General Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria. A hugely interesting and productive two days, where PAN members from throughout Europe highlighted their campaigns and discussed the upcoming policy challenges. 10th September - Monika Kosinska from the European Public Health Alliance, and member of HEAL’s executive committee attended the WHO conference on Environment and Health Risks - The Influence and Effects of Social Inequalities, on the behalf of HEAL. The conference was held in Bonn, Germany. European experts discussed and reviewed a compilation of evidence on environmental exposures and their distribution by social gradients in the WHO European Region. On this basis, they produced a set of technical and policy recommendation on possible countermeasures. 11th September - Jeanette Kaltschmied attended a conference on EuropeAid. The conference aimed to help NGOs apply for European Commission Grants - it will be about EuropeAid. 23rd – 25th September – As a member of the External Advisory Committee of ERA-EnvHealth, Genon participated in their General Assembly. The General Assembly discussed the progress, achievements and strategic orientations of the project. This General Assembly took place in Rome, members of the EAC attended. 29th September – Lisette attended the launch of the European Commission’s European Partnership for Action Against Cancer. This launch was opened by the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and hosted by Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou. 6th October – HEAL, Health Care Without Harm Europe and the Climate and Health Council launched their Prescription for a Healthy Planet. The European launch saw the presentation of a giant "Prescription" to the European Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou. This was followed by a lively debate with the Commissioner, MEPs and health stakeholders on how the health and medical perspective can integrated into discussions in climate change meetings in Copenhagen in December 2009 and beyond. 6th – 7th October - The Prescription launch kicked off the HEAL Annual General Assembly in the HEAL offices, Brussels. With over 25 HEAL members from throughout Europe, members highlighted their campaigns and we discussed the upcoming policy challenges. 6th October – The Civil Society Contact Group, of which the Green 10 are a member, held a reception in the Parliament to give MEPs a chance to meet members of civil society. The HEAL staff and many HEAL members attended the reception which marked the beginning of a three day fair in the parliament, celebrating the diversity of civil society organisation working at EU level. 7th October – Pendo attended the Green 10 lunch-time reception on ecosystems and climate change in the European Parliament as part of the Civil Society Contact Group fair. |
| 10/09/2009 | Why the precautionary approach is needed for environmental health risks Speaking in Paris on 12 October, David Gee of the European Environment Agency announced that the second edition of his important book on the precautionary approach would be available in spring 2010. It would include the following examples of the need to use the precautionary approach: BPA, nanotechnology, lead in petrol, mercury in the Mimamata disaster, GMOs, and EMFs amongst others. The original version of "Late lessons from early warnings: the precautionary principle 1896-2000" (pictured here) is available in English, French, German and Spanish. Gee said that the dilemma in environmental health was "to know and not to know" and "to act and not to act". He emphasised the need for scientific expertise to be as free of financial and legal control as possible and said that decisions should be taken on the basis of the strength of evidence (as in legal cases) and on the relative importance of being wrong. He said that the multicausality of a medical condition, such as cancer for example, could lead to what seemed to be conflicting research results. This would tend to make scientists cautious about taking a stand. However, he felt that acceptance was growing that more co-founders are actually co-factors. Multicausality also meant that removing one of the contributory factors, such as exposure to traffic air pollution in a child at risk of asthma, could break the chain. On nanotechnology, Gee said research into the technological applications was ten times higher than that invested in assessments of health and environmental risks. He saw this as short-sighted in securing the future of this technology. |
| 10/09/2009 | Environment and health policy update - October 2009 Environment and Health Policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. The WHO European Environment and Health Committee (EEHC) meets on October 14-15 in Parma Italy to discuss preparations for the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health Civil society exhibition in the European Parliament featured Green 10 concept note and exhibition table on Nature and Health which calls for a second EU Environment and Health Action Plan. Read more about the exhibition here and the concept papers - nature and health and climate change New WHO Regional Director for Europe is Susanna Jacobs, who co- chaired the EEHC in the run up to the Budapest Ministerial Conference in 2004. HEAL’s action on environment and health New competition on Children’s Environmental Health Launch. Five years after the launch of the “Children Environmental and Health Action Plan for Europe” (CEHAPE), we are now seeking entries to the second CEHAPE Good Practice Awards. Read more HEAL will be providing comments from the health community to discussions during the next drafting committee meeting for the Parma Ministerial Declaration on 13 October in Parma, Italy and the EEHC on 14-15 October. HEAL will be participating in DGSANCO’s Expert Group on Indoor Air Quality on October 21 in Luxembourg. HEAL will be attending the EU Partnership on Action Against Cancer (2009-2013) launch event on September 29th, and will report back to you. Find more about the launch here In the official Communication, there are already specific suggestions about the possible work of the partnership on primary prevention (in general, not necessarily specific to environmental prevention). However, a lot will depend on the groups that get involved and participate in the foreseen workgroups. Prevention has its own workgroup, but there is also potential for constructive input on primary prevention in the Research, and the Information and Data workgroups. Preparatory meetings will be held this autumn with joint action is 2010. Your action Feedback: Can you provide expertise or participte in any Cancer Partnership workgroup? We can coordinate and exchange information. Please email Gill Erskine Enter the CEHAPE Good Practice Awards, we want to hear about your projects and campaigns in children’s environment and health. The winners of each category will be awarded 1,000 Euros towards their project, and will be invited to present their project at the Parma Ministerial. Read more |
| 10/09/2009 | Competition: 2nd Children’s environmental health project competition Five years after the launch of the “Children Environmental and Health Action Plan for Europe” (CEHAPE), we are now seeking entries to the second CEHAPE Good Practice Awards. In March 2010, the Fifth Conference of Ministers on Environment and Health - "Protecting Children's Health in a Changing Environment" - will take place in Parma, Italy. The Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health is the next milestone in the European environment and health process. Focused on protecting children's health in a changing environment, the Conference will drive Europe's agenda on emerging environmental health challenges for the years to come. Keeping children's health in the spotlight: Awarding good practice Children's health continues to be a leading concern; their health is at risk from a changing environment. The second CEHAPE Awards aim to uncover and highlight inspiring and innovative projects that promote children's environment and health. Entrants must be based in one or more countries of the 53 in the WHO Europe region (map with full list of countries) The winning entries will be invited to present their projects at the Conference of Ministers in Parma - March, 2010. The 2nd CEHAPE Awards have been developed jointly by Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF), Health & Environmental Alliance (HEAL), ISDE Austria and European Eco Forum, and are sponsored by the governments of Austria, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, and supported by the European Commission. How to enter: Tell us your story To enter the CEHAPE Good Practice Awards, we want to hear about your projects and campaigns in children's environment and health. There are eight individual categories for entry; • Water and/or Sanitation, • Accidents and/or Physical Activity, • Indoor air and/or Outdoor air, • Chemicals and or Radiation, • Youth participation, Mobility, • Climate protection, Schools. The winners of each category will be awarded 1,000 Euros towards their project, and will be invited to present their project at the Parma Ministerial. If you are involved in a project to protect children's environmental health, please send us a completed entry form. Information about the call is available in English, Romanian, Russian, Karghiz, Bulgarian, Serbian, Macedonian, Armenian and Georgian. However, the entry form can only be filled out in English and Russian The deadline for submission of entries is 7 December 2009. The winners across the eight categories will be announced on 22nd January, 2010. Please help us by disseminating this announcement through your own networks. Good luck, we look forward to receiving your entries! |
| 31/08/2009 | Is the EU standardisation process at odds with public health priorities? European standardisation boosts trade by contributing to the development of the Single Market but the process can be used against public health interests. By removing "technical barriers"* to trade, it is generally agreed that standardisation plays a vital role in ensuring the free movement of goods between Member States. However, this increasingly important policy-making process at the EU level may be presenting a threat to public health. Consider the statements from HEAL member, The European Child Saftey Alliance (ECOSA) and from the Smoke Free Partnership (reported on EPHA website) during the past year. In making recommendations on the implementation of the Toys Directive, ECOSA says that a comitology procedure should be adopted "to allow the directive to be adapted quickly to new developments or risks, thereby avoiding a long co-decision process or a standardisation procedure." Delays in the standardisation process may be deliberately created by industry. A proposal that all cigarettes sold throughout the European Union should be self-extinguishing was intended for implementation by 2011. The Smoke Free Partnership says "fire safer" cigarettes are a proven, practical, and effective way to eliminate the risk of cigarette-ignited home fires. The CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) has the mandate for setting the European standard. In November 2008, Finland’s Parliament approved a proposal to regulate the ignition propensity of cigarettes. The new requirements follow the examples of Canada, Australia and several U.S. States, using ASTM E2187-04 standard. It will be implemented next year. Meanwhile, however, a joint group bringing together the tobacco and safety experts has been set up at ISO level to discuss fire safer cigarettes. The Smoke Free Partnership says that it is their understanding that the tobacco experts in this group will point to other standards that are less proven than ASTM E 2187, and attempt to slow down the standardization process. Slowing down the standardization process will slow implementation. Some countries, such as the UK, say they are waiting for a European standard before consulting on a national standard. |
| 10/08/2009 | Newsletter July - August 2009 Environment and Health Policy France releases its second plan on environment and health The French government has published its second action plan aimed to reduce health risks from environmental pollution over the next five years, and demands significant cuts in the emissions of six toxic substances. The government will spend €490 million on implementing the plan that contains twelve key measures for the period 2009-13, including a 30% cut in the emissions to air and water of six toxic substances. These substances are mercury, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), (...) Is the EU standardisation process at odds with public health priorities? European standardisation boosts trade by contributing to the development of the Single Market but the process can be used against public health interests. By removing "technical barriers"* to trade, it is generally agreed that standardisation plays a vital role in ensuring the free movement of goods between Member States. However, this increasingly important policy-making process at the EU level may be presenting a threat to public health. Consider the statements from HEAL member, The (...) Sweden: the new EU Presidency On July 1st, Sweden took over the European Union’s six-month rotating presidency from the Czech Republic. With the newly elected European Parliament due to begin its work imminently and a new Commission to be appointed, combined with a backdrop of Europe’s battle with economic recession and the EU’s uncertain institutional future, the Swedish motto of “taking on the challenge” could hardly be more apt. In their six-month run, from July through December, the Swedish Presidency of the (...) About us & our members The Natural Health Service: a new campaign for healthier lifestyles HEAL member, Natural England, has launched a new campaign, designed to provide more open spaces in cities as a way of dealing with the mounting health problems caused by urbanised, sedentary lifestyles. In the face of projections suggesting that nine out of ten adults in the UK could be overweight or obese by 2050, Natural England have launched the ‘Natural Health Service’ which calls for a step-change in the way that people are given access to green spaces and the ways in which outdoor (...) Call for global action on Chronic Respiratory Disease The World Health Organisation (WHO) and HEAL member, the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases (EFA), brought together over 150 international delegates to discuss the growing epidemic of Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRD) that affects one billion people worldwide, and is responsible for four million deaths annually. The conference, held in Rome in mid-June, discussed the implementation of a five-year initiative to unite policy makers, providers and patient groups. EFA and (...) HEAL and MDRGF launch new network for health risks from pesticides exposures HEAL (the Health and Environment Alliance) and our French NGO member, MDRGF (Movement for the Rights and Respect of Future Generations) and have launched at network for people with health problems related to pesticide exposure. The launch took place at a press conference on Thursday 18 June 2009 in Paris. Aurèle Clémencin, who is joint pesticides campaign coordinator for MDRGF and HEAL in France, said: "We want to help people who are affected, by raising awareness of the dangers of (...) HEAL Secretariat News July - August 2009 Staff changes In July we said goodbye to Monica Guarinoni, HEAL Deputy Director. Monica is moving to work on environmental projects with the European Commission. Having been with HEAL since our beginnings, Monica’s hard work and cheerful outlook will be missed very much. We wish her the best of luck for her new position, and are very thankful that her new office is only 100 meters from HEAL! From September, Gill Erskine who joined the HEAL team in March as an intern, will be starting as (...) New research on environmental justice in Roma communities Environmental injustice and the social exclusion of Roma communities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has roots in historical patterns of ethnic exclusion and widening socioeconomic inequalities, according to a new report. Tamara Steger, Vice-President of HEAL and assistant professor at the Centre for Environmental Policy and Law in Hungary, has co-authored a new publication on environmental justice in Roma communities. The report finds that historical patterns of ethnic exclusion and (...) Chemicals Main chemical industry lobby group’s registration deemed inaccurate Following a complaint by Friends of the Earth Europe, the European Commission has suspended the main lobby group of the chemical industry in Brussels from the lobby register for 8 weeks from July 20th. The Commission deemed the lobby registration of the European chemical industry council, CEFIC, as inaccurate. CEFIC represents 29,000 companies, employs more than 170 staff and claims a yearly budget of 37.9 million Euros. Yet, CEFIC estimated that its costs directly related to representing (...) New report on reproductive health and fertility A new report providing a non technical summary of the latest science on how exposure to chemicals may impair our reproductive health as been released the Programme for Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE). The English version was launched earlier this year, in July this version was translated into Spanish. Shaping Our Legacy is a non-technical summary of the latest science on reproductive health and how it may be impaired by environmental chemicals. The report outlines what (...) Pesticides EU proposes ban of highly hazardous biocides The European Commission has published a draft for the revision of the ten-year old directive which regulates the authorisation and placing on the market of approx. 50,000 household pesticides, from moth spray, disinfectants to wood preservatives within the EU. Environmental lobby group, the Pesticides Action Network Germany (PAN Germany) have called for improvements. In its proposed regulation, published on 12 June 2009 and replacing EC Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) 98/8/EC, the (...) New report on EU pesticide monitoring In July, the European Food Safety Authority released their latest report on EU monitoring on pesticide residues in food. The report provides an overview of pesticide residue monitoring in food, analysed in 2007 across the 27 EU Member States and the two EFTA (European Free Trade Association) States, Norway and Iceland, who signed the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA agreement). It goes on to reveal results from the assessment of the chronic and acute risks to consumers’ health (...) Climate Change Irish Doctors call for health focus in climate change talks HEAL member, The Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA), have joined the HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH E) campaign for health to become central to United Nations (UN) climate change discussions in December. On the 7th July, IDEA wrote to the Irish Minister for Health, John Gormley, to stress the multiple health impacts of climate change nationally and globally and the necessity to bring a focus on health to the impeding UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (...) Air Quality Campaign launched to ensure better air quality in London The UK government is failing by a wide margin to meet its legal obligations to combat air pollution in London. Environmental law and policy organisation, ClientEarth, have a launched a new campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London in time for 2012 Olympics. London has the worst air quality in the UK and some of the worst in Europe. Recent figures have suggested that air pollution directly contributes to around 3,000 deaths each year in London alone – subsequent (...) Commission rejects bulk of air quality derogations The European Commission has rejected most requests from member states to extend a deadline for meeting EU air quality standards on fine particles. Nine member states requested time extensions for meeting the EU air quality standards for particulate matter (PM10) for a total of 94 zones, however on July 3rd, the Commission announced they would reject 75 out of the 94 requests. The 75 rejected requests covered zones in Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France and Slovakia. The Commission (...) New international treaty requires industries to report on pollutants In September of this year, Industries throughout the European Union will be required to report annually on the levels of pollutants they release. The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Aarhus Convention, signed by thirty-six governments and the European Community in May 2003 in Kiev, Ukraine, is set to enter into force on 8 October 2009 following France’s ratification, which was declared on10 July. Pollutant (...) Public Participation Commission launches youth health initiative Involving young people more actively in developing EU health policies is the aim of a new initiative by the European Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou. Last week over 200 young people, from across Europe, attended the launch conference on Youth Health in Brussels. Throughout the conference, the young people had the opportunity to meet with policymakers and health organisations to debate key health issues, such as the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs, or physical (...) |
| 10/08/2009 | Commission launches youth health initiative Involving young people more actively in developing EU health policies is the aim of a new initiative by the European Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou. Last week over 200 young people, from across Europe, attended the launch conference on Youth Health in Brussels. Throughout the conference, the young people had the opportunity to meet with policymakers and health organisations to debate key health issues, such as the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs, or physical activity, mental health and environmental health. The conference was organised jointly with the European Youth Forum and accompanied by a website including a blog where young people can have their say on health. Key note speakers included H.R.H Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, France's High representative for Youth Martin Hirsch, World Health Organisation's deputy regional director for Europe Nata Menabde and President of the European Youth Forum Tine Radinja. Youth participants spoke in each session, and the conference was webstreamed. The Youth Health initiative aims to: involve young people more closely in EU health policies strengthen youth partnership in the decision making process; involve other sectors across EU policy areas and at national level on the implementation of prevention programs targeted at young people; support Member States' activities on the health of young people. Vasilliou brought the conference to a close, and drew on four main points of focus that had emerged. These were – Youth participation and empowerment; Inequalities and vulnerabilities; Communicating health messages effectively to young people; Mainstreaming health across wider policy areas. The conference marks the very beginning of the process of youth involvement in health policy making, and there is still a long way to go – but it is encouraging to see the EC taking these steps. Youth Camp on Environment and Health The day before the conference, youth participants were part of workshops on specific themes ranging form youth and alcohol to communicating health. The Health and Environment Alliance facilitated the workshop on environment and health – focusing specifically on the dual themes of chemicals and climate change. The themes were lead by Lisette Van Vliet and Gill Erskine respectively. The workshop was a fantastic opportunity for HEAL to become more proactively involved in issues affecting young people and to hear first hand about new initiatives taking place throughout Europe. From September, HEAL will take a more active role in youth issues, as we will welcome Alina Bezhenar from Russia who will coordinate HEAL youth participation. Alina is also a youth delegate for the World Health Organisation’s Children and Environmental Health Action Plan (CEHAPE) , and will be attending the WHO 5th ministerial conference on environment and health in Parma in March 2010. Learn about chemicals the fun way. Read our comic book Choosing Our Future Read more about HEAL's campaign to put health at the centre of the Copenhagen climate negotiations |
| 10/08/2009 | New international treaty requires industries to report on pollutants In September of this year, Industries throughout the European Union will be required to report annually on the levels of pollutants they release. The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Aarhus Convention, signed by thirty-six governments and the European Community in May 2003 in Kiev, Ukraine, is set to enter into force on 8 October 2009 following France’s ratification, which was declared on10 July. Pollutant release and transfer registers are inventories of pollutants from industrial sites, but also smaller, widespread sources such as traffic, agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises. Under the Protocol, facilities will be required to report annually on the amounts of certain pollutants they release to the environment or transfer to other facilities. The information will then be placed on a public register accessible through the Internet. The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTs) will help identify the biggest polluters in communities across Europe. The Protocol also covers facilities releasing large quantities of greenhouse gases known to contribute to global warming and thus offers a new tool to countries battling climate change. In the past, public disclosure of information about pollutant releases has led companies to improve their environmental performance. Citizens in countries requiring industries to report on their releases and transfers of significant pollutants will therefore wield a powerful tool in the fight for a cleaner and safer environment. Jan Kubiš, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, described this new international law as “a milestone in the advancement of public access to information about sources of environmental pollution in the UNECE region”. Several parties to the Protocol have released their Registers on the Internet over the past months: Switzerland in February, Spain in March, the United Kingdom in April and Germany in June 2009. The European Union’s 27 Member States are expected to release their first annual reports on the release and transfer of the Protocol’s list of pollutants on 30 September 2009. |
| 10/08/2009 | Commission rejects bulk of air quality derogations The European Commission has rejected most requests from member states to extend a deadline for meeting EU air quality standards on fine particles. Nine member states requested time extensions for meeting the EU air quality standards for particulate matter (PM10) for a total of 94 zones, however on July 3rd, the Commission announced they would reject 75 out of the 94 requests. The 75 rejected requests covered zones in Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France and Slovakia. The Commission believed that the conditions have not been met because insufficient data had been provided or because the measures outlined in the air quality plans submitted to the Commission did not demonstrate that the standards would be met at the expiry of the exemption period. "Compliance with the standards must be our priority," said EU environment commission Stavros Dimas. Where extensions have been rejected, member states must either re-apply citing new evidence, or comply with the limits in the shortest possible time to ward off infringement proceedings. The commission approved exemption requests for 19 pollution zones in Austria, Germany and Hungary, after finding that they satisfied the conditions set in the Clean Air for Europe (Café) air quality directive. They will now have until June 2011 to meet the PM10 concentration limits, which should have been achieved in 2005. Member States may re-notify for zones where the Commission has raised objections if they provide new information to demonstrate fulfillment of the conditions. Decisions on the remaining PM10 time extension notifications are expected later in the year. |
| 10/08/2009 | Irish Doctors call for health focus in climate change talks HEAL member, The Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA), have joined the HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH E) campaign for health to become central to United Nations (UN) climate change discussions in December. On the 7th July, IDEA wrote to the Irish Minister for Health, John Gormley, to stress the multiple health impacts of climate change nationally and globally and the necessity to bring a focus on health to the impeding UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) talks in December and beyond. The letter highlighted not only the absence of public health and health care communities in the discussions, but also the substantial role that Health ministers can play in raising awareness and planning for adaptation and mitigation within the health sector. The HEAL and HCWH E campaign has three key messages, which were emulated by IDEA, these are; > More health representation and awareness - lead the way in ensuring increased representation > Increase public health benefits of climate change > Promote equitable funding mechanisms and support for climate change mitigation and adaptation It is fantastic to see HEAL members joining the campaign and pressure being applied at member state level. We will look forward to hearing Minister Gormley’s response. |
| 10/08/2009 | New report on EU pesticide monitoring In July, the European Food Safety Authority released their latest report on EU monitoring on pesticide residues in food. The report provides an overview of pesticide residue monitoring in food, analysed in 2007 across the 27 EU Member States and the two EFTA (European Free Trade Association) States, Norway and Iceland, who signed the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA agreement). It goes on to reveal results from the assessment of the chronic and acute risks to consumers’ health due to pesticide residues in food. Through surveillance sampling, 4% of fruit and vegetables exceeded the Maximum Residue Limits Standards (MRL). These levels are similar to the previous year’s sampling, but these are estimated to drop next year with the new 2008 standards in place. The targeted sampling allow for an 11% exceedance in fruit & vegetables. In 2007, 74,305 samples of 350 different food stuffs were analysed for pesticide residues under the national and the EU coordinated programmes. This included 71,936 surveillance samples and 2,369 enforcement samples. Compared with 2006, the total number of samples increased by 12.9%. This increase can be partially attributed to the fact that the two newest EU Member States, Bulgaria and Romania, have reported their data for the first time. The number of pesticides sought in 2007 sees a 13% increase from the previous year. On average, reporting countries tested for 218 different pesticides. In total, residues of 354 different pesticides were found in measurable quantities in fruit and vegetables, while in cereals residues of 72 different pesticides were observed. The number of different pesticide residues found in fruit and vegetables in 2007 was higher than the number of pesticides found in cereals. Read the full report |
| 10/08/2009 | EU proposes ban of highly hazardous biocides The European Commission has published a draft for the revision of the ten-year old directive which regulates the authorisation and placing on the market of approx. 50,000 household pesticides, from moth spray, disinfectants to wood preservatives within the EU. Environmental lobby group, the Pesticides Action Network Germany (PAN Germany) have called for improvements. In its proposed regulation, published on 12 June 2009 and replacing EC Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) 98/8/EC, the Commission announced its intention to ban the future the use of biocides which are carcinogenic, have a negative impact on reproduction or are mutagen, or influence the endocrine system. Furthermore, the draft intends to label articles and materials treated with biocides, e.g. textiles with antibacterial additives or carpets fitted against moth damage. The labeling of products is hoped to protect consumers against hazardous substances prohibited within the EU, but which are still used abroad. Treated leather couches or anti-sweat socks containing authorised biocides should be labelled in the future, and if necessary, hazard statements should be added. Susanne Smolka, expert for biocides at PAN Germany: "We welcome the draft of the European Commission as it strengthens consumer protection and increases transparency. However, the draft is in urgent need of improvements. For example, exclusion criteria for particularly hazardous environmental properties are urgently needed." Examples of biocidal products released directly into the environment are the anti-fouling paint used on ships´ hulls, or the increasingly common façade protection against fungi and algae used on buildings. Studies prove that significant quantities of environmentally harmful substances are washed out of the façades during rain. |
| 10/08/2009 | New report on reproductive health and fertility A new report providing a non technical summary of the latest science on how exposure to chemicals may impair our reproductive health as been released the Programme for Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE). The English version was launched earlier this year, in July this version was translated into Spanish. Shaping Our Legacy is a non-technical summary of the latest science on reproductive health and how it may be impaired by environmental chemicals. The report outlines what clinicians, health affected groups, policy makers, community activists, researchers and scientists can do to create environments that are healthier for fertility and reproduction: expand scientific knowledge of how chemicals harm reproductive health; translate this knowledge to improve health care and community efforts to protect their environments; and strengthen government protections against harmful chemical exposures. PRHE is part of the University of California, they aim to create a healthier environment for human reproduction and development through advancing scientific inquiry, clinical care and health policies that prevent exposures to harmful chemicals in our environment. This collaborative work requires a common language, Shaping Our Legacy will serve as a starting point for this important communication. The new Spanish translation now makes this information available to the Spanish-speaking population in the United States, Latin America, Europe and around the globe. So far, 1,200 printed copies of the English version have been distributed and over 9,500 electronic copies of the report have been downloaded from the website. They hope that the Spanish translation will expand the reading audience, domestically and internationally and transmit our message to a larger portion of the global community. |
| 10/08/2009 | Main chemical industry lobby group’s registration deemed inaccurate Following a complaint by Friends of the Earth Europe, the European Commission has suspended the main lobby group of the chemical industry in Brussels from the lobby register for 8 weeks from July 20th. The Commission deemed the lobby registration of the European chemical industry council, CEFIC, as inaccurate. CEFIC represents 29,000 companies, employs more than 170 staff and claims a yearly budget of 37.9 million Euros. Yet, CEFIC estimated that its costs directly related to representing interests to EU institutions, in 2007, were less than 50,000 Euros [1]. On 10 June 2009, Friends of the Earth Europe submitted a complaint to the European Commission about this figure. As the reported lobby budget should include staff costs for lobbying, but also costs for publications, position papers and lobby events, the figure is unrealistically low. The Commission has now concluded that the Secretariat General has received some information from CEFIC that led it to consider that the declaration of CEFIC may indeed raise problems as regards its estimation of expenditures which appears to be underestimated, therefore breaching rule 4 of the code of conduct. The Commission has therefore suspended CEFIC for a period of 8 weeks from the register. CEFIC is invited to correct its stated lobby budget. At the end of this period, the Secretariat General will re-examine the situation in the light of any new elements. Before submitting the complaint to the Commission, Friends of the Earth Europe asked CEFIC for a clarification of their lobby budget. CEFIC never responded to this request. Paul de Clerck, Corporates Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe said CEFIC is not at all transparent about its lobby work. They made a joke of the Commission’s lobby register by reporting a completely false lobby budget. "We are pleased to see that the Commission is not accepting this type of behaviour", he said. Friends of the Earth Europe calls on the Commission to exclude CEFIC from further lobby events and opportunities, until they have reported correctly and in full openness about their lobby budgets. |
| 10/08/2009 | Sweden: the new EU Presidency On July 1st, Sweden took over the European Union's six-month rotating presidency from the Czech Republic. With the newly elected European Parliament due to begin its work imminently and a new Commission to be appointed, combined with a backdrop of Europe's battle with economic recession and the EU’s uncertain institutional future, the Swedish motto of “taking on the challenge” could hardly be more apt. In their six-month run, from July through December, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will focus on climate change, the financial crisis and EU institutional structure. With the Copenhagen UN conference on climate change in December, one of the presidency’s key priorities is to push for a new global agreement. Sweden is not only pushing for more commitment from the EU in the climate talks, but is calling for more effort on the part of other large economies, such as the US. They also state that more support must be given to developing countries already affected by climate change, while encouraging them to take a development path - taking into consideration the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also argue that the EU's emissions trading scheme, which covers only 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, is not enough to address climate change rapidly and effectively. They call for CO2 taxation – something that Sweden have already embarked upon. The ambition of the Presidency is to develop cooperation between their different policy areas of the economy and climate change, so that positive economic growth can be combined with reduced burden on the climate and environment. Whilst a run of EU presidency only lasts six months, this can be enough to set the agenda for change. We hope that the focus on climate change now, will help the EU push harder for a global agreement at Copenhagen and beyond. |
| 10/08/2009 | France releases its second plan on environment and health The French government has published its second action plan aimed to reduce health risks from environmental pollution over the next five years, and demands significant cuts in the emissions of six toxic substances. The government will spend €490 million on implementing the plan that contains twelve key measures for the period 2009-13, including a 30% cut in the emissions to air and water of six toxic substances. These substances are mercury, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), benzene, chlorinated solvent perchloroethylene (PCE) and PCBs and dioxins. Other measures include a 30% reduction in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration levels by 2015. 2004 saw the launch of the first environment and health action plan. A mid-term review of the plan's implementation showed slow progress in reducing emissions of particulate matter from diesel engines. In 2007, the Government issued a mid-term term review of the plan. The review reveals that most of the plan's 45 actions had been implemented, but progress was slow in ten areas, particularly in reducing emissions of particulate matter from diesel engines. |
| 10/08/2009 | Inside the new Parliament How different will the atmosphere for health and environment be in the new European Parliament now that the composition is conservative-led and made up of significantly more Eurosceptics? Firstly, the European Parliament has always shown support for environmental health issues across all political parties. Irish conservative Avril Doyle was among our staunchest supporters in the last parliament. This parliament sees the re-election of Frédérique Ries (ALDE, BE) who was the biggest campaigner for environment health issues as the reporter for many key files. In addition, the new President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek (EPP) of Poland is environment-friendly. He was formerly a member of Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, (ENVI). Behind the four leading EP political groups – European People's Party (EPP), Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), and the Greens European Free Alliance (Greens EFA) - come the new European Conservative & Reformist (ECR) group in fifth place. The ECR is the group of 25 UK, 15 Polish, 9 Czech MEPs and one representative from each of Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands. A second party of sceptics, known as the Freedom and Democracy party has 32 members, including 13 from the strongly-anti EU UK Independent Party. It is encouraging to see that the new chair of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee is Joe Leinen, who is strongly committed to environmental concerns, a heavyweight politician, and a firm believer in support for civil society in European dialogue. Among his first tasks in his new role as ENVI Chair, Joe Leinen will give the keynote address to a reception organised by the Green 10 coalition of environmental non-governmental organisations (of which HEAL is a member) on 1 September. As always, HEAL will be relying on its members and other health stakeholders at the European level to bring health and environment concerns to MEPs at all possible opportunities. As a first step, we are holding this year's Annual General Meeting to coincide with an important "Civil Society Contact Group Event" in the parliament where advocacy work with the many MEPs who plan to attend can begin in earnest. |
| 07/08/2009 | Campaign launched to ensure better air quality in London The UK government is failing by a wide margin to meet its legal obligations to combat air pollution in London. Environmental law and policy organisation, ClientEarth, have a launched a new campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London in time for 2012 Olympics. London has the worst air quality in the UK and some of the worst in Europe. Recent figures have suggested that air pollution directly contributes to around 3,000 deaths each year in London alone – subsequent research has indicated that the figure may be significantly higher than this. The air quality failures in the capital are part of a wider national problem, with an estimated healthcare cost of up to £21 billion every year. In July, ClientEarth launched their ‘Clean Air for London’ campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws. The UK, along with sixteen* other EU member states, have asked the European Commission for more time to reach the air quality limits. The timing for the campaign could not better, with London due to take centre stage with the 2012 Olympics this is no time for the UK to be dragging their feet. European law has set targets to reduce levels of dangerous airborne particles (known as PM10). Greater London has failed to meet these targets in every year since they became legally binding in 2005. The Government recently applied for a time extension for complying with these limits, despite having already missed the deadline set by the European Commission for doing so. By obtaining an extension, the UK Government aims to avoid fines and win more time to address a pressing problem that should have been prioritised years ago. To demonstrate its resolve to protect public health, the European Commission has launched infringement action over the initial legal breach. ClientEarth does not believe that the UK government is legally eligible for a time extension for PM10. The UK does not meet the preconditions required by European legislation for the time extension and current plans to eliminate breaches of PM10 in London by June 2011 are not credible. Therefore, ClientEarth is taking legal action to compel the government to comply with its air quality obligations. On 27 July 2009 ClientEarth wrote to the European Commission urging it to reject the government’s request for a time extension on PM10 in London. Without a delayed deadline it will have to take decisive action now, rather than prolong its obligations while more Londoners suffer the health effects of poor air quality. The UK government can and should make great efforts to improve London air quality in time for the London 2012 Olympics. Actions taken to tackle air pollution will save lives, improve the quality of life of all Londoners and save billions of pounds in healthcare costs. - HEAL and our member organisation, the European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Association (EFA), have recently entered their second year of their European air quality campaign. In 2008 we set up a website (in 3 languages) to inform European citizens of the air quality in their area. This year we will translate the website into a further four languages and, with the help of EFA members, we will write to those member state governments that have applied for time extensions to enquire if they have carried out health impact assessments of not meeting the limit values. Read more here |
| 30/06/2009 | US Doctors call for immediate moratorium on GM foods "GM foods pose a serious health risk”, states a new report from the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM). The position paper, released on the 19th May, calls for physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid genetically modified foods (GM) and provide educational materials concerning health risks. The AAEM calls for a moratorium on GM foods, long-term independent studies, and labelling. Citing many animal studies that indicate serious health risks associated with GM food such as infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. Their conclusions state that the relationship between GM food and adverse health effects is no longer questionable, there is real causation. "GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health." AAEM is an international association of physicians addressing the clinical aspects of environmental health. In summary the latest position paper calls for: • A moratorium on GM food, implementation of immediate long term safety testing and labeling of GM food. • Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community and the public to avoid GM foods. • Physicians to consider the role of GM foods in their patients' disease processes. • More independent long term scientific studies to begin gathering data to investigate the role of GM foods on human health. “Multiple animal studies have shown that GM foods cause damage to various organ systems in the body” highlighted Dr. Amy Dean, an internal medicine specialist and Board Member of AAEM. She went on to explain, that “with mounting evidence then, it is imperative to have a moratorium on GM foods for the safety of the people’s health.” The biologist Pushpa M. Bhargava supported this view. Citing his own research of over 600 scientific journals, he concludes that genetically modified organisms are a major contributor to the sharply deteriorating health of Americans. Read AAEM's position paper on Genetically Modified foods Read more about GMOs |
| 30/06/2009 | NGOs disappointed with Nano outcome of international conference Plans to address the risks posed by nanotechnology agreed at recent UN meeting are insufficient and vague, according to NGOs. Countries, industries and non-governmental organisations met in Geneva this May to further develop a policy framework for sound management of chemicals, under the banner of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). Nanotechnology was one of main emerging issues discussed at the meeting. Delegates agreed to focus future work to reduce chemical risks in five main areas, and to set up efforts to achieve sound chemical management by 2020. However, the progress on the management of nanomaterials was met with frustration by the NGO community. Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith, Co-Chair of the International POPs Elimination Network criticised the outcome, saying delegates agreed on "loose proposals for some modest actions [on nanotechnology] over the next three years: consultation, information sharing, meetings and workshops in different regions". Lloyd-Smith also called for more funding from the chemical industry to finance SAICM's work. Pointing that little progress would be made with out it. The meeting in May aimed to review the implementation of SAICM so far. Adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) in 2006, SAICM is a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals. It supports the achievement of the goal (agreed at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development) of ensuring that, by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimise significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. Read the UN press release The IPEN press release Read more about nanomaterials |
| 30/06/2009 | International Workshop on Non-Ionizing Radiation The health effects of electromagnetic fields are of concern among a growing number of scientists, medical doctors and citizens worldwide. Since the mid 1990s, humankind is becoming more reliant and more exposed to manmade electro magnetic fields (EMF) from electric power and wireless communications sources as part of daily life. A workshop entitled "International Non-Ionizing Radiation and Health Workshop", was held on Monday 18th May and Tuesday 19th May 2009 in Brazil. Sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations, International researchers from several countries deliver talks on selected topics. Researchers, public health authorities, as well as authorities representing legislative, executive and judiciary governmental bodies in Brazil, other South American countries, Europe, and the United States, were also in attendance. According to the principal organizer, Dr. Alvaro A. de Salles, a professor at the Universidate Federal Du Rio Grande Del Do Sol., in Porto Alegre, Brazil, "The conference presented a unique opportunity for people to hear lectures that form the basis to initiate discussions among Brazilian and foreign scientists and public health authorities on the potential biological and health consequences of exposure to EMF, and to discuss exposure limits to minimize such hazards" For more information on the conference and it’s outcomes keep an eye on the website |
| 30/06/2009 | New article On Saturday May 30 a new french youth group, Appel de la Jeunesse (The Call of Youth) held a round table debate at the European College of Ostéopathy in Paris. The Appel de la Jeunesse issued the following statement, setting the scene for the debate : We, the youth, do not accept: that around us our parents, our close relations and even our peers, are touched by cancer; that more and more young people experience difficulty in conceiving a child; that as new parents, our children are affected with allergies or asthma; the increasing obesity, diabetes and incapacitating diseases; This speech would like to make us believe that all of this is inevitable, or that is only a matter of individual responsibility. We do not regard this situation as normal! Because our bodies and those of our children are immersed in widespread chemical pollution, Because our food is increasingly artificial and contaminated by pesticides and additives, Because marketing pushes us to being compulsive consumers of material products and fast food, Because new technologies like mobile telephones, GMOs or nanotechnologies are developed without serious evaluation, Because we are seeing a decrease in biodiversity as well as a changing climate – it is not possible for humans to be in good health on a sick planet. We have launched the Appel de la Jeunesse to push health and the environment into the centre of the policy options. In summary; thorough scientific investigation is required in order to guarantee that progress will benefit humans and the environment. Below is a the list of speakers present at the roundtable– Gilles-Eric SERALINI: Expert for the French government and the European Community on genetically modified organisms. Maël RANNOU: Student, Co-president of Fac Verte Paris. Pierre the RUZ: European expert on the question of the electromagnetic fields. Roland DESBORDES: Physicist, President of Criirad. François VEILLERETTE: President of the MDRGF, former President de Greenpeace. Albert-Claude QUEMOUN: Professor of Pharmacology. Yorghos REMVIKOS: Professor at the Faculty of Medicine. Maria FURRIER: President de BioConvergence Rhône-Alpes. See the website for more details. Read more about how to avoid chemical exposure in your everyday life |
| 30/06/2009 | Greener and Wiser; A new report from the older generation The environmental movement is typically seen as the younger person’s domain, with the views and concerns of older people often being ignored. However, according to UK NGO, age should not be a barrier to being green. The Greener and Wiser Taskforce’s manifesto, launched in the UK on the 11th May, sheds light on the impressive potential of older people to help build more sustainable communities. The Taskforce, made up of 10 older people from around the UK, has produced their manifesto with two aims: >To increase the profile of older people’s views in environmental decision-making; and >To address the practical challenges that older people face in making greener choices. The Taskforce members, aged between 52 to 90, were supported by The Green Alliance, a UK based environmental think tank, in conjunction with Natural England and two NGOs, Age Concern and Help the Aged. They debated a variety of green issues with experts to develop a set of recommendations for change. The new Greener and Wiser Manifesto aims to increase the profile of older people’s views in environmental decision-making and address the practical challenges that older people face in making greener choices. The recommendations of the manifesto seek to provide older people with a greater say on environmental issues, make greener choices easier and capitalise on their potential to help build more sustainable communities. The manifesto also highlights what the taskforce expect of government, of businesses and of the older population in the UK. Their recommendations include: >Training older people as volunteer environmental advisers in their communities > Consulting older people at the local level to ‘age-proof’ environmental strategies > Developing intergenerational projects for young and old to explore the environment together > Appointing a high profile champion for older people and the environment, making it more relevant to older people and their lives > Reducing waste and promoting reuse > Supporting older people better in making green energy choices. The organisers claims that age should not be a barrier to being green, but so often effor |