Health and Environment Alliance | News & Media: Toxic Chemicals

The “forever chemicals” that are harming our health: PFAS

4th February 2020

You may not recognize the name PFAS, short for per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, yet it is likely you come in contact with this toxic chemical on a daily basis. From frying pans and cosmetics to paper food packaging and clothing, PFAS is a class of more than 4,700 widely-used, man-made chemicals. And they are putting our health and the environment at serious risk.

HEAL welcomes the 10 commitments from Frans Timmermans, Virginijus Sinkevičius and Stella Kyriakides to act for a healthy planet for healthy people

10th October 2019

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?

First-ever Plastic Health Summit to present preliminary results of ground-breaking research by ZonMw

1st October 2019

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.

How the chemicals in food contact materials are putting our health at risk

23rd May 2019

Nobody should ever have to worry about toxic substances making their way into our food. Yet, if you ask around, most consumers have no idea about the composition of the packaging wrapping their food and drinks, and how this might affect them. Current loopholes in the European legislation on food contact materials have as a result that its objective to provide a high level of protection for health is not fulfilled.

EU elections: vote for a healthy planet for healthy people

13th May 2019

HEAL showcases in a 10 day campaign 'Vote for a healthy planet for healthy people' some of the many aspects that citizens can have a say about using their vote.

Infographic – Modern Science Matters

25th March 2019

Modern science matters. That’s why HEAL partnered with TEDX - The Endocrine Disruption Exchange to help you understand how modern science improves our understanding of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

EU Parliament misses the mark on putting end to toxic chemicals in children’s toys made from recycled plastics

14th March 2019

The European Parliament’s environment committee today agreed to new EU rules on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which will keep millions exposed to toxic chemicals in toys and other products made of recycled plastics.

Infographic – Low Doses Matter

13th March 2019

A picture says a thousand words. That’s why the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) partnered with TEDX – The Endocrine Disruption Exchange to reduce complex scientific concepts surrounding endocrine disruptors.

HEAL stakeholder in a new EDC testing research project on female reproduction

14th February 2019

The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is honoured to be a stakeholder in a new research project on the development of methods to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are toxic to female reproduction, which was launched on 1st January 2019 and will last for five years.

New Communication on endocrine disruptors lacks concrete measures to reduce harmful exposures

7th November 2018

In a move that is long overdue, the EU Commission published today the EU Communication on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). However it lacks specific measures and timelines on how people and the environment can be better protected from these harmful chemicals.

Scientists and regulators stress need for better management of chemical group used for its repellent properties

26th September 2018

A group of more than thirty academic and government scientists, together with regulators from agencies across the globe, have jointly outlined a set of needs, goals, and actions to help assess and manage per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in a communication dubbed the Zürich Statement.

Ten of the largest environment organisations publish manifesto ahead of 2019 European elections

25th September 2018

The Green 10, a coalition of ten of the largest environmental organisations representing tens of millions of citizens across Europe, call on candidates for the European elections to promote a European Union that puts people and our planet first.

WHO on circular economy and health: opportunities and risks

5th September 2018

Circular economy can be an opportunity for health enhancement, only if it is designed to reduce environmental impacts - hazardous substances should not survive in recycled products. But if risks…

Interview: Un homme sain dans un environnement sain (also available in NL)

1st September 2018

Letter to French Health and Environment Ministers: Our vision for a non-toxic environment

28th June 2018

Strong calls on Commission to release new European strategy for endocrine disruptors

1st June 2018

Brussels – At an event organised jointly by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Member of European Parliament Pavel Poc in the European Parliament on 24th May, several MEPs, national governments’…

Public hearing in the European Parliament on EDCs, public health and the environment

3rd April 2018

On 22 March 2018, the European Parliament’s Petitions committee and the Environment, public health and food safety committee held a joint public hearing on the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals…

Swept under the rug: new report reveals toxics in European carpets threatening health, environment and circular economy

6th March 2018

Brussels - Toxic substances linked to a range of adverse health impacts can be present in carpets sold in the European Union (EU), the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and…

Guest blog from the European Environment Agency (EEA): Human Biomonitoring for Europe

29th November 2017

HEAL is excited to be an official stakeholder to HBM4EU, the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative. HBM4EU is a joint effort of 28 countries, the European Environment Agency and the European…

Sign our petition to tell Members of European Parliament to ban EDCs!

18th September 2017

Sign our petition to tell Members of the European Parliament to put public health first and to ban EDCs! The European Union is about to give the green light to new plans…

News & Media: Toxic Chemicals