We are exposed to chemicals everywhere in our daily lives. This exposure has been associated with numerous health impacts, such as cancer, weakening of the immune system and normal functioning of organs, disruption of the hormonal system and the reproductive system, birth defects and negative impacts on the mental, intellectual and physical development of children.
HEAL works with partners and decision-makers to minimise and ultimately end human exposure to hazardous and health-harming chemicals in Europe, and towards protective laws and regulations for a non-toxic environment.
Open Letter to the European Commission: Nanomaterials in everyday products – results from recent testing and concrete measures to inform and protect citizens and ecosystems from nano-related risks
17th March 2023
Seventeen NGOs, including HEAL, wrote a joint letter to the European Commission on nanomaterials in everyday products; results from recent testing and concrete measures to inform and protect citizens and ecosystems from nano-related risks
Over 100 organisations call on the European Commission to fully ban PFAS by 2030
14th March 2023
The EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the draft proposal for an EU-wide restriction on the production and uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), starting a much needed process to restrict these 'forever chemicals'
Mid-term review of the FREIA project: updates and next steps on how novel research is helping identify endocrine disrupting chemicals that harm female reproductive health
14th March 2023
To mark the start of the final stages of FREIA, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has teamed up with the research project to launch a review of its main findings and milestones of research into the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on female reproductive health thus far.
Video: HEAL’s six demands for a health-first reform of REACH
1st March 2023
The European Commission has announced an overhaul of REACH, Europe’s flagship legislation on chemicals. A new video from the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) spells out how the current system allows dangerous chemicals to slip through the cracks, and our six demands to help get REACH back on track to better protect health and the environment.
Q&A on animal testing and chemical safety assessments
27th February 2023
We are exposed to a wide mix of potentially harmful chemicals on a daily basis. To assess whether and how exposure to chemical substances can impact our health and the environment, European and national regulatory authorities rely on the results from several testing methods, including animal testing, when performing their safety assessment. In this Q&A, HEAL answers several key questions about the use of animal testing in the European Union.
Q&A on animal testing and chemical safety assessments
27th February 2023
We are exposed to a wide mix of potentially harmful chemicals on a daily basis. To assess whether and how exposure to chemical substances can impact our health and the environment, European and national regulatory authorities rely on the results from several testing methods, including animal testing, when performing their safety assessment. In this Q&A, HEAL answers several key questions about the use of animal testing in the European Union.
A 10+13 agroecology approach to shape policies and transform EU food systems
28th January 2021
This policy paper puts forward a proposal to mainstream agroecology into the policies governing EU food systems. It builds on the consensual vision of a coalition of EU civil society, farmers and scientific organizations to use the FAO ‘10 Elements of Agroecology’ and ‘13 Agroecological Principles’ as a framework to develop the appropriate instruments and targets for EU policies.
Turning the plastic tide: New HEAL report puts the spotlight on how chemicals in plastic are putting our health at risk
9th September 2020
Today the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) releases the primer 'Turning the Plastic Tide', unwrapping the story behind the chemicals in plastic that put our health at risk.
Q&A on animal testing and chemical safety assessments
27th February 2023
We are exposed to a wide mix of potentially harmful chemicals on a daily basis. To assess whether and how exposure to chemical substances can impact our health and the environment, European and national regulatory authorities rely on the results from several testing methods, including animal testing, when performing their safety assessment. In this Q&A, HEAL answers several key questions about the use of animal testing in the European Union.
How PFAS chemicals affect women, pregnancy and human development: Health actors call for urgent action to phase them out
25th May 2021
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) have published a fact sheet and infographic to call for immediate action against “forever chemicals”, to protect reproductive health, fertility and human development.
A 10+13 agroecology approach to shape policies and transform EU food systems
28th January 2021
This policy paper puts forward a proposal to mainstream agroecology into the policies governing EU food systems. It builds on the consensual vision of a coalition of EU civil society, farmers and scientific organizations to use the FAO ‘10 Elements of Agroecology’ and ‘13 Agroecological Principles’ as a framework to develop the appropriate instruments and targets for EU policies.
The problem of PFAS in Europe – joint NGO flyer
30th March 2020
Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances, more commonly known as PFAS, are a particularly harmful chemical group. In this flyer, HEAL, CHEMSEC, EEB, CHEM Trust and THINK-Film explain the problem of PFAS in Europe.
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.
Infographic: How can a revised CLP Regulation help identify harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals?
13th July 2022
HEAL’s new infographic illustrates how the upcoming revision of the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation can help better identify harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) within European chemicals laws.
HEAL and European Cancer Leagues relaunch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants
25th May 2022
To mark the start of the European Week Against Cancer 2022, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) have teamed up to relaunch an infographic telling the story behind environmental cancer prevention.
Infographic: Reforming EU rules on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals to better protect health
20th April 2022
This easy-to-use infographic explains why reforming EU rules on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals (CLP) is an opportunity to better protect health in the European Union.
Infographic: Harmful chemicals in food packaging hamper the circular economy
20th September 2021
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), Zero Waste Europe, CHEM Trust and ClientEarth have joined forces to illustrate how harmful chemicals in food packaging can hamper the circular economy and put our health at risk.
Under the Label: The story behind chemicals in cosmetics
21st July 2021
Cosmetics and personal care products can contain harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and other substances of concern, but their labels can be hard to read. The infographic launched by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Tegengif/Erase All Toxins today uncovers the story behind chemicals in cosmetics.
Infographic: Harmful chemicals in food packaging are putting our health at risk
29th June 2021
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), Zero Waste Europe, the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, CHEM Trust and ClientEarth have joined hands to bust some of the most popular myths surrounding chemicals used in food contact materials. The infographic launched today illustrates how the chemicals used in the production, processing, preparation and packaging of food may put our health at risk.
Open Letter to the European Commission: Nanomaterials in everyday products – results from recent testing and concrete measures to inform and protect citizens and ecosystems from nano-related risks
17th March 2023
Seventeen NGOs, including HEAL, wrote a joint letter to the European Commission on nanomaterials in everyday products; results from recent testing and concrete measures to inform and protect citizens and ecosystems from nano-related risks
Joint letter to the REACH Committee: Restriction of Intentionally-added Microplastics, and Chemical Authorisation Concerns
23rd February 2023
Seventeen NGOs, including HEAL, wrote a joint letter to the REACH Committee ahead of their meeting on March 1st 2023, to urge the Committee to support a restriction that would include all microplastics, and to address other chemical authorisation concerns.
116 Scientists ask for revision of World Health Organization’s draft PFAS guidelines
15th November 2022
More than 115 scientists have asked the World Health Organization for a complete overhaul or withdrawal of the organisation’s draft drinking water guidelines for two of the most well-studied per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), namely PFOS and PFOA.
Over 100 organisations call on the European Commission to fully ban PFAS by 2030
14th March 2023
The EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the draft proposal for an EU-wide restriction on the production and uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), starting a much needed process to restrict these 'forever chemicals'
Groundbreaking cross-country media investigation reveals thousands of sites contaminated by PFAS around Europe, adding further urgency to enact EU-wide ban on ‘forever chemicals’
23rd February 2023
An unprecedented cross-country media investigation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination around Europe - The Forever Pollution Project - reveals that more than 17,000 sites are contaminated by ‘forever chemicals’ around Europe.
Civil society groups demand a highly protective EU restriction on PFAS
7th February 2023
The EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the draft proposal for an EU-wide restriction on the production and uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), starting a much needed process to restrict these 'forever chemicals'
Pesticides and Health Impacts / Pestisitler ve Sağlığa Etkileri
26th January 2023
Pestisitlerin Sağlık Etkileri konusunda Türkiye sağlık sektöründen öneriler
French government announces national action plan on PFAS chemicals ahead of expected publication of EU-wide proposal for restrictions
17th January 2023
French authorities have today released the country’s first action plan specifically dedicated to PFAS, acknowledging the severe consequences that these ‘forever chemicals’ have on people’s health and the environment and the urgent need to reduce production.
Environmental health groups welcome introduction of European harmonised hazard classes for endocrine disruptors
19th December 2022
The European Commission has today released its proposal for the creation of dedicated hazard classes…
‘Forever chemicals’ widespread in disposable food packaging from popular fast-food chains across Europe, new study shows
20th May 2021
The use of persistent and health-harming PFAS chemicals in disposable food packaging and tableware is a widespread practice across Europe, as shown in a study by Czech NGO Arnika, HEAL, CHEM Trust and six other non-profit organisations in Europe.
Turning the plastic tide: New HEAL report puts the spotlight on how chemicals in plastic are putting our health at risk
9th September 2020
Today the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) releases the primer 'Turning the Plastic Tide', unwrapping the story behind the chemicals in plastic that put our health at risk.
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…
