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!
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.
A victory for future generations – European governments ban brain-harming pesticides chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl
6th December 2019
Representatives from the European Member States in the EU Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF) today voted to ban the neurotoxic pesticides chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl from the EU market, a historic move that has been applauded by health and environment groups.
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…
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.
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.
Infographic – More Than One Potency
11th April 2019
The potency of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) depends on which organs you measure and how.…
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.
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.
A chemicals strategy as part of the European Green Deal: time to deliver
8th November 2019
Health and environmental groups wrote to incoming Commission president Ursula von der Leyen today about the EU's golden opportunity to set out a long-term chemicals strategy that prioritises health and environmental protection under the European Green Deal.
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.
A victory for future generations – European governments ban brain-harming pesticides chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl
6th December 2019
Representatives from the European Member States in the EU Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF) today voted to ban the neurotoxic pesticides chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl from the EU market, a historic move that has been applauded by health and environment groups.
New-born babies in intensive care units exposed to health-harming endocrine disruptors BPA and parabens, new study shows
27th November 2019
New research published today finds that new-borns in intensive care units are in contact with a variety of medical products that contain bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens. Infants are particularly vulnerable to the effects from these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), causing scientists and health groups alike to demand more comprehensive regulation of EDCs across the board for better protection.
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.
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…
