Health and Environment Alliance | Press Releases: Toxic Chemicals

New study warns against likely regrettable substitution of flame retardants used in numerous consumer products – Health groups ask for faster regulation

22nd October 2019

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.

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.

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

17th September 2019

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.

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

12th September 2019

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.

“Forever chemical” added to the European list of substances of very high concern

27th June 2019

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

26th June 2019

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.

Scientists propose concept of “essential use” to organise phase out of PFAS and other groups of chemicals of concern

17th June 2019

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).

Civil society condemns the EU’s conduct in undermining an otherwise effective worldwide ban of toxic chemical PFOA

15th May 2019

HEAL joined an international group of chemical and health NGOs to publicly express deep regret and disapproval of the EU delegation’s behaviour and actions at the COP9 of the Stockholm Convention.

European Parliament puts health and the environment first and calls on Commission to get rid of endocrine disrupting chemicals in our daily lives

18th April 2019

In the final plenary session of the European Parliament before the EU elections, MEPs have adopted a Resolution on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and are calling on the Commission to swiftly take all necessary action to ensure human health and the environment are protected against these harmful chemicals .

Health risks associated with combined exposures to endocrine disruptors are systematically underestimated, shows EU research project

26th March 2019

Findings from the European research project EDC-MixRisk released today highlight that the health risks associated with the combined exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are systematically underestimated under current assessment methods in the European Union.

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.

UNSAFE: New EU Rules Allow Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Toys and Other Products Made of Recycled Plastics

21st February 2019

The European Parliament and Council decision on the reform of the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation announced this week, hailed as protective for health, will keep children exposed to hazardous flame-retardant chemicals associated with thyroid disruption and neurological deficits. HEAL, Arnika and IPEN react.

Toxic Soup: Dioxins in Plastic Toys

23rd November 2018

A new study, "Toxic Soup: Dioxins in Plastic Toys", shows alarming levels of very toxic brominated dioxins in eight toys and one hair clip made of recycled plastic stemming from electronic waste.

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.

Toxic chemicals found in carpets sold by major European manufacturers

30th October 2018

New research has found toxic chemicals in carpets produced and sold by some of the largest carpet manufacturers on the European market. These chemicals include suspected carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and…

European Study Exposing Toxic E-Waste Chemicals in Children’s Products Spurs Calls for Policy to End Recycling Exemptions for Hazardous Waste

16th October 2018

Environmental health researchers released alarming evidence today that toxic brominated flame retardants, hazardous chemicals from electronic waste that are known to disrupt thyroid function and cause neurological and attention deficits in children, are contaminating recycled plastics in consumer products across Europe.

Endocrine disruptors – Put exposure reduction at the centre of EU action now, urge health groups

17th July 2018

As the European Commission’s consultation on a roadmap for a framework on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) comes to a close, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) urges the European Commission…

HEAL’s vision for Europe leading the way towards a non-toxic environment

7th June 2018

The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) today released its vision for Europe leading the transition towards a non-toxic environment and called on the European Commission to finally draw its long…

EDC-Free Europe coalition urges European Commission to protect people and environment from hormone disruptors

15th May 2018

The EDC-Free Europe coalition, representing more than 70 health and environment organisations across Europe, is calling on the EU Commission to finally release a long overdue strategy on endocrine disrupting…

Europe’s non-toxic environment strategy could lead the way towards an ambitious international chemical framework beyond 2020

13th March 2018

Brussels, 13th March 2018 – A global intergovernmental meeting starts today in Stockholm, Sweden, which is instrumental to the process of developing a Strategic Approach for International Chemical Management (SAICM) and a new framework beyond 2020.