Will EU ministers support the ban of the pesticide chlorpyrifos?
The governments of the 28 Member States of the European Union are in the process of deciding on the future of a health-harming pesticide: chlorpyrifos. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), together with other civil society organisations, has written directly to all environment, health and agriculture ministers to express their concerns about the toxicity of this substance.
Organic diet during pregnancy means significant reduction of pesticide exposure, new study shows
The results of the first ever long-term organic diet intervention study among pregnant women were published in Environment International. Researchers found that pregnant women’s exposure to pyrethroid insecticides was significantly reduced by adding organic fruit and vegetables to their conventional diets during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
HEAL’s environmental health priorities for next EU Commission President
Ahead of a major vote in the European Parliament on the future European Commission President, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) sent its priorities to the candidate for President of the European Commission designated by the Council, the German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.
For a green reform of the Common Agricultural Policy – Open letter to the EU Parliament Agriculture Committee
The Coalition for Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Food Policy - of which HEAL is a member - is calling on the EU Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) to conduct a fair and green reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Available for download: Recordings and presentations from our series of webinars on chlorpyrifos
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) held a series of three webinars dedicated to the health and environmental impacts of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide widely used across Europe and of which residues are regularly found in our food. Download them today!
“Forever chemical” added to the European list of substances of very high concern
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has recognised HPFO-DA – a fluorinated substance using the so-called GenX technology - as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) due to its probable serious effects on human health and the environment.
Environment Council’s demand for more ambitious action on chemicals at start of new European term could lead to major health benefits
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) welcomes the European environment ministers’ demand for more ambitious and swifter action against harmful chemicals from the European Commission, Member States and ECHA. The European Council conclusions agreed upon today lay out the strategic direction that the EU’s future policy on chemicals should take, and highlight in particular REACH, endocrine disruptors, nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals as priority areas.
Spotlight on clean air for health in Tuzla, Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina has the second highest mortality rate from air pollution in the world. New independent monitoring analysis underlines the need to tackle the air pollution crisis in the…
Independent data highlights air pollution crisis in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dust pollution in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been twice the legal limit on two thirds of monitored days in 2018 and caused over one hundred premature deaths in adults during the year, according to independent new data published today in the report 'Lifting the Smog' by CEE Bankwatch Network, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the Center for Ecology and Energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
New overview of data on chlorpyrifos residues in fruit strengthens health-case for EU-wide ban
Chlorpyrifos, a pesticide known for its damaging effects on children’s brain development, is among the top 15 active substances most frequently found in European unprocessed food and prominently present in fruit. This is the conclusion of a new briefing published today, bringing together all official EU data on the analysis of 791 different pesticide residues.
New overview of data on chlorpyrifos residues in fruit strengthens health-case for EU-wide ban
Chlorpyrifos, a pesticide known for its damaging effects on children’s brain development, is among the top 15 active substances most frequently found in European unprocessed food and prominently present in fruit. This is the conclusion of a new briefing published today, bringing together all official EU data on the analysis of 791 different pesticide residues.
Citizen science investigation highlights indoor air quality dimension in air quality and climate efforts
Brussels, 19 June 2019 - Air quality inside and outside of primary schools across Europe must be improved in order to protect children’s health and ensure optimal learning, shows a…
Citizen science monitoring of air quality in and around Madrid schools confirms the need to cut air pollution from transport
Brussels/Madrid, 18 June 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…
Children at risk of day-long exposure to polluted air inside and outside London classrooms
The air quality inside - as well as outside - primary schools across Europe must be improved to protect children’s health and ensure optimal learning, finds a new Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) study entitled “Healthy Air, Healthier Children”.
European Commission fails to publish outcome of a fitness check on Europe’s chemicals legislation
Mere weeks before a high-level conference on the future of the European Union’s chemicals policy, the European Commission has not yet published the ‘raison-d’être’ for the event: the outcome of an evaluation of all chemicals policies except REACH.
Scientists propose concept of “essential use” to organise phase out of PFAS and other groups of chemicals of concern
In a study published in the journal Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, a group of European and American scientists proposes a definition of “essential use” as a driver to more health-protective and efficient regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (or PFAS).