MEPs block EU Commission proposal that would allow toxic lead in recycled PVC
12th February 2020
Members of the European Parliament today objected to a European Commission proposal to allow lead-contaminated recycled PVC to be sold in the EU. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), ClientEarth and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) have applauded MEPs for using their power of scrutiny in order to ask the European Commission to walk the talk and keep toxics out of the circular economy, a promise outlined in the European Green Deal.
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.
Forever chemicals no more: Belgian premiere of Hollywood movie “Dark Waters” highlights reality of PFAS pollution and the urgency to address it through ambitious regulation
3rd February 2020
Award-winning actor Mark Ruffalo and director Todd Haynes are visiting the European Parliament this Wednesday (5 February) to present the film ‘Dark Waters’, inspired by the true story of an environmental attorney who took on the DuPont company in an environmental suit exposing decades of pollution of drinking water with PFAS. The movie shows the harsh consequences of chemicals pollution, which is a reality in the EU too, and should urgently be addressed as a chemical priority under the European Green Deal.
Environmental health groups celebrate end to EU allowance for banned flame retardant chemicals to enter recycling streams & new products
24th January 2020
The European Union (EU) just took an important step towards cleaning up its recycling; it will no longer allow materials containing a class of toxic and globally banned flame retardants - known as PBDEs - to be recycled.
Environmental health priorities for Croatia’s presidency of the Council of the European Union
17th January 2020
Croatia holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2020. In a letter to Croatia's prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, HEAL shared its priorities on how we consider the Presidency can help advance the protection of health from environment and climate threats in the next months, particularly regarding the EU Green Deal proposal.
Why HEAL supports the European Citizens’ Initiative “Save Bees and Farmers”
17th January 2020
HEAL is a supporting organisation of the European Citizens’ Initiative “Save Bees and Farmers”, that launched in November 2019 with a vision of a pesticide-free Europe.
Take a few minutes to sign the petition, available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish!
Food contact materials and chemical contamination
12th June 2019
There are multiple health concerns related to chemicals in food
contact materials in Europe. This briefing looks at the current
legislative system in the European Union for these materials and
defines what is missing in the existing system and what must be
changed if public health is to be protected.
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…
EU should ban brain-harming chlorpyrifos to protect health
1st August 2018
Today, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) together with Générations Futures, Pesticide Action Network Europe…
Fact cards: chemicals in food contact materials put our health at risk
2nd October 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. Here are nine fact cards to illustrate why we are concerned.
Chemicals in food wrappings can impact people’s health
2nd October 2019
Chemicals used for packaging our food can put our health at risk. This new infographic from HEAL explains the story behind food contact materials.
Fact cards: Ban the toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos from our plates
17th June 2019
The chemical chlorpyrifos has serious negative effects on our health, especially for children. Yet it…
Infographic: Ban the toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos from our plates
17th June 2019
Chlorpyrifos is one of the most commonly used pesticides in Europe. It is known for its damaging effects on child brain development. This infographic was created to help you understand why we want to ban this toxic pesticide from our plates.
Environmental health priorities for Croatia’s presidency of the Council of the European Union
17th January 2020
Croatia holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2020. In a letter to Croatia's prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, HEAL shared its priorities on how we consider the Presidency can help advance the protection of health from environment and climate threats in the next months, particularly regarding the EU Green Deal proposal.
Open letter on the Farm to Fork strategy to achieve sustainable food systems
12th December 2019
People in the EU have made unprecedented calls for change throughout 2019, demanding climate action,…
A European Green Deal that strives for a healthy planet for healthy people is putting zero pollution and health protection at its core
4th December 2019
HEAL together with members called on the European College of Commissioners and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to translate the support they have expressed for environmental health protection during their parliamentary hearings into tangible and impactful policy proposals and legislation. Zero pollution and health protection need to be at the core of the Commission’s flagship European Green Deal. It is essential that the European Green Deal delivers on climate change, on clean air and on health protection from hazardous chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals.
MEPs block EU Commission proposal that would allow toxic lead in recycled PVC
12th February 2020
Members of the European Parliament today objected to a European Commission proposal to allow lead-contaminated recycled PVC to be sold in the EU. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), ClientEarth and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) have applauded MEPs for using their power of scrutiny in order to ask the European Commission to walk the talk and keep toxics out of the circular economy, a promise outlined in the European Green Deal.
Forever chemicals no more: Belgian premiere of Hollywood movie “Dark Waters” highlights reality of PFAS pollution and the urgency to address it through ambitious regulation
3rd February 2020
Award-winning actor Mark Ruffalo and director Todd Haynes are visiting the European Parliament this Wednesday (5 February) to present the film ‘Dark Waters’, inspired by the true story of an environmental attorney who took on the DuPont company in an environmental suit exposing decades of pollution of drinking water with PFAS. The movie shows the harsh consequences of chemicals pollution, which is a reality in the EU too, and should urgently be addressed as a chemical priority under the European Green Deal.
Environmental health groups celebrate end to EU allowance for banned flame retardant chemicals to enter recycling streams & new products
24th January 2020
The European Union (EU) just took an important step towards cleaning up its recycling; it will no longer allow materials containing a class of toxic and globally banned flame retardants - known as PBDEs - to be recycled.
Transition to a toxic-free circular economy in the carpet industry still a distant reality, despite industry initiative
16th January 2020
Transition to a toxic-free circular economy in the carpet industry still a distant reality, despite…
Another “forever chemical” – PFBS – added to Europe’s list of substances of very high concern
20th December 2019
The European Chemicals Agency has recognised Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid, PFBS (and its salts) as a…
The European Green Deal identifies right areas for action but more urgency needed to meet zero pollution ambition and benefit health
11th December 2019
Today, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal plan that sets out many environmental health issues, where the European Union policies such as climate, air or chemicals, can help deliver a zero pollution objective and better health protection for all. However, to achieve the transformational, systemic change needed to address the magnitude of the challenges the world is facing today, the timeline and scope of the European Green Deal will have to better reflect the evidence which clearly makes the case for more urgent action.
Carcinogenicity assessment was flawed for 4 out of 10 pesticides, new report shows
21st October 2019
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.
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.
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…
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.
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…
