A chemicals strategy as part of the European Green Deal: time to deliver
Health and environmental groups wrote to incoming Commission president Ursula von der Leyen today about the EU's golden opportunity to set out a long-term chemicals strategy that prioritises health and environmental protection under the European Green Deal.
Dear Minister: Voice your support to non-renewal of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl
Exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos harms children's brains. Yet it continues to be one of the most commonly used pesticides in Europe. HEAL calls on all European health, environment and agriculture ministers to support the non-renewal of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl.
New study warns against likely regrettable substitution of flame retardants used in numerous consumer products – Health groups ask for faster regulation
A new study by a group of US scientists compared two groups of flame retardants – respectively polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPFRs) - for a number of properties and warns that replacing the former by the latter is likely a regrettable substitution.
Carcinogenicity assessment was flawed for 4 out of 10 pesticides, new report shows
A new PAN Germany and HEAL review of carcinogenicity assessments of pesticide active ingredients shows 40 percent of them are not carried out in compliance with existing European guidelines, leading to possible continued exposure of farmers and consumers to cancer-causing pesticides. In 30 percent of the cases significant details were missing from the dossiers, raising uncertainties about how European authorities came to a conclusion.
HEAL welcomes the 10 commitments from Frans Timmermans, Virginijus Sinkevičius and Stella Kyriakides to act for a healthy planet for healthy people
After European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen had unveiled who will join her team during her administration, the newly-elected members of the European Parliament had a chance to test these confirmed nominees during committee hearings. So how did the European Green Deal Executive Vice-President designate, the Environment and Oceans Commissioner-designate and the Health Commissioner-designate perform and what did they commit to as a team?
There is only one way to protect children from the toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos: an EU-wide ban
The widely used pesticide chlorpyrifos can seriously harm children’s healthy brain development. It will be for the next European Commission and European governments to deliver the one obvious solution: a complete ban of chlorpyrifos, to protect health and the environment.
Why regulation is the key to protecting today’s and future children from toxic plastic toys
by Genon K. Jensen, Executive Director at HEAL It’s encouraging to see that plastic pollution in oceans and environment has become quite a talked about topic. But an issue that…
18 NGOs write to REACH committee ahead of potential vote on a restriction on tattoo inks and permanent make-up
A tattoo can be an important means of cultural or self-expression and is popular among Europeans. 18 NGOs have written to members of the REACH committee regarding an proposal for a restriction on tattoo inks and permanent make up.
First-ever Plastic Health Summit to present preliminary results of ground-breaking research by ZonMw
What health risks do micro- and nanoplastics pose to the human body? The Plastic Health Summit, taking place October 3rd, brings scientists, influencers and industry from all over the world together and presents the preliminary results of ground-breaking research by ZonMw.
Stepping up on national climate action to deliver on the Paris climate commitments
With the growing global climate movement, the UN climate summit, the upcoming climate negotiations in Madrid and all the deliberations in the new EU institutions (e.g. European Green Deal), responding…
The climate emergency is a medical one – health sector issues prescription for a healthy future
Today, HEAL launches the Prescription for a Healthy Energy Future for Europe, to shine a light on the health benefits the transformation of the energy sector will bring, and bring to the forefront those areas where change is urgently needed. We will eventually include transport and food production as well.
No new coal power plants in Montenegro – a WIN for health
HEAL is pleased to see that Montenegro takes action to protect health in the region and elsewhere with yesterday’s announcement by the Government that it would drop its plans to…
Citizen science air quality monitoring in and around Parisian schools confirms the need to cut air pollution from transport to protect health
Brussels/Paris, 18 September 2019 - A citizens’ science monitoring project at six nurseries and primary schools in the centre of Paris found nitrogen dioxide (NO2) outside and inside all classrooms…
New study on widely used plastic products confirms toxicity of chemical content– Health groups call on new European Commission to make addressing chemical pollution a priority
The most comprehensive scientific study on the toxicity of chemicals present in plastic products to date, “Benchmarking the in Vitro Toxicity and Chemical Composition of Plastic Consumer Products”, was released today in Environmental Science and Technology.
Particulate air pollution found in and around classrooms in Sofia underlines urgency to act for clean air
Brussels/Sofia, 17 September 2019 - The quality of air inside and outside primary schools in Europe is failing to protect children’s health and ensure optimal learning, shows a new Health…
Berlin citizen science monitoring shows outdoor air pollution travels indoors to classrooms
Brussels/Berlin, 16 September 2019 - Traffic pollution urgently has to be further tackled in Berlin shows a new report entitled “Healthy Air, Healthier Children” by the Health & Environment Alliance…
10 ways to protect our health and the environment
Preventing environmental pollution can save lives. There is clear scientific evidence on how environmental, chemical and air pollution as well as climate change threaten and impact our health. Europe has a real opportunity to protect and improve Europeans’ health and prevent major chronic health epidemics - here are ten ways how.
European civil society groups raise questions about industry-funded study on E171 toxicity and call on decision-makers to support the French ban on unnecessary food additive
A crucial European meeting to discuss the French ban of E171 - the food additive version of titanium dioxide - is due to take place on Monday 16th September. Civil society groups across Europe raise questions about a new industry study released ahead of this meeting and warn against diverting decision-makers’ attention from the already existing evidence of the potential health threats posed by E171.
La déclaration de l’EFSA reconnaissant les effets nocifs du chlorpyrifos sur la santé humaine ajoute à l’urgence d’une interdiction totale
La semaine dernière, l'Agence européenne de sécurité alimentaire (EFSA) a reconnu dans une déclaration publique que le chlorpyrifos est nocif pour la santé humaine et ne remplit pas les critères de renouvellement sur le marché européen[1]. Une coalition d'ONG rassemblant certaines organisations comme Health And Environment Alliance (HEAL), SumOfUs, Pesticides Action Network (PAN) Europe et PAN Allemagne et Générations Futures, salue cette déclaration, qui est un premier pas vers l'interdiction du chlorpyrifos dans les plus brefs délais.
