Health and Environment Alliance | News & Media: Toxic Chemicals

More than 12,200 chemicals can be used in materials and articles coming in contact with food worldwide, according to new scientific database

30th November 2020

The first publicly available database providing an overview of the chemicals that can be used in the processing of food contact materials and articles was released today, which suggests that more than 12,200 chemicals can be used in materials and articles coming in contact with food worldwide.

Survey shows almost 50% of Belgians are unaware of health-harming endocrine disrupting chemicals in daily lives

19th November 2020

Results from a new survey published by the Belgian Independent Health Insurance Funds (Mutualités Libres / Onafhankelijke Ziekenfondsen) reveal nearly half of Belgian citizens have little knowledge of what endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are and how they can impact our health.

Turning the plastic tide: how upgraded chemicals regulations are piece and parcel of addressing the plastics challenge

21st October 2020

Taking on the plastics challenge in a way that puts health and the environment first to deliver on Europe’s Zero Pollution ambition requires upgrading European regulations on chemicals and articles in which they are used, encompassing the entire lifecycle of plastics.

EU chemicals strategy: speedy implementation steps key to truly protect people’s health

14th October 2020

Environmental health advocates have welcomed today’s release of the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability as a major step forward in the delivery of Europe’s Zero Pollution Objective. They however insisted…

Save the date: HEAL and Belgian Independent Health Insurance Funds symposium on endocrine disruptors

7th October 2020

Register today to take part in the online symposium ‘Endocrine Disruptors: reduce the impact on our health’, organised by the Belgian Mutualités Libres on 19 November 2020.

Further European Commission frictions revealed over the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: HEAL concerns for health protection remain

1st October 2020

As an important European Commission meeting was due to take place on 1st October to iron out some of the last contentious aspects of the strategy under development, several media outlets across Europe today reported further frictions.

Say NO to a toxic Europe – sign the petition to demand a EU chemicals strategy that protects health and the environment

28th September 2020

Say NO to a toxic Europe - sign the petition (available in multiple languages) to demand a EU chemicals strategy that protects health and the environment.

FIGO, UCSF and HEAL share 10 tips to avoid toxic chemicals during and after pregnancy

27th July 2020

The Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the University of California – San Francisco (UCSF) and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) have launched easy-to-use infographics for obstetricians, gynecologists and health groups to create awareness around toxic chemicals and pregnancy in a one-week social media campaign.

Revealed European Commission frictions over the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability – HEAL’s concerns for health protection

17th July 2020

On 16th July 2020, several media outlets around Europe revealed major internal dissensions within the European Commission about the development of the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, including a leaked annotated draft of the strategy.

HEAL regrets ECHA Member States Committee failure to recognise endocrine disrupting Resorcinol as a substance of very high concern

18th June 2020

HEAL urges Member States and the Commission to support the recognition of the endocrine disrupting Resorcinol as a substance of very high concern.

HEAL and European Cancer Leagues launch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants

25th May 2020

To mark the start of the European Week Against Cancer 2020, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) have teamed up to launch an infographic telling the story behind environmental cancer prevention.

REACH committee to discuss proposal to restrict over 4,000 chemicals that can be used in tattoo inks and permanent make-up

11th May 2020

On 13 May 2020, the REACH committee is scheduled to discuss a proposal from the European Commission that aims to agree on a restriction covering over 4,000 hazardous chemicals that can be used in tattoo inks or permanent make-up.

A healthy, green and just response to the COVID-19 crisis in the Western Balkans

6th May 2020

The Western Balkan countries are faced with an unprecedented crisis, and the magnitude of public health consequences of COVID-19 are and will be costing the Balkan region dearly. The World…

How endocrine disrupting chemicals affect women’s reproductive health: new factsheet and infographic by the FREIA project

9th March 2020

It is beyond a doubt that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impact the health of humans and the environment globally. Surprisingly, we still don’t know exactly how EDCs can harm female reproductive health. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has teamed up with the FREIA project to launch a factsheet and infographic - available in English, Dutch and French - to introduce this research project and to illustrate how EDCs affect women’s health.

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.

News & Media: Toxic Chemicals