HEAL advocates for policies to benefit peoples’ health and the environment
Stay up to date, read HEAL’s latest news, press releases, letters, briefings, policy papers, scientific statements and many other publications.
Press contact: Elke Zander elke@env-health.org
Organic diet during pregnancy means significant reduction of pesticide exposure, new study shows
17th July 2019
The results of the first ever long-term organic diet intervention study among pregnant women were published in Environment International. Researchers found that pregnant women’s exposure to pyrethroid insecticides was significantly reduced by adding organic fruit and vegetables to their conventional diets during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
HEAL’s environmental health priorities for next EU Commission President
15th July 2019
Ahead of a major vote in the European Parliament on the future European Commission President, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) sent its priorities to the candidate for President of the European Commission designated by the Council, the German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.
For a green reform of the Common Agricultural Policy – Open letter to the EU Parliament Agriculture Committee
9th July 2019
The Coalition for Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Food Policy - of which HEAL is a member - is calling on the EU Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) to conduct a fair and green reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Available for download: Recordings and presentations from our series of webinars on chlorpyrifos
4th July 2019
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) held a series of three webinars dedicated to the health and environmental impacts of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide widely used across Europe and of which residues are regularly found in our food. Download them today!
“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.
Organic diet during pregnancy means significant reduction of pesticide exposure, new study shows
17th July 2019
The results of the first ever long-term organic diet intervention study among pregnant women were published in Environment International. Researchers found that pregnant women’s exposure to pyrethroid insecticides was significantly reduced by adding organic fruit and vegetables to their conventional diets during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
“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.
Independent data highlights air pollution crisis in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
25th June 2019
Dust pollution in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been twice the legal limit on two thirds of monitored days in 2018 and caused over one hundred premature deaths in adults during the year, according to independent new data published today in the report 'Lifting the Smog' by CEE Bankwatch Network, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the Center for Ecology and Energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
New overview of data on chlorpyrifos residues in fruit strengthens health-case for EU-wide ban
19th June 2019
Chlorpyrifos, a pesticide known for its damaging effects on children’s brain development, is among the top 15 active substances most frequently found in European unprocessed food and prominently present in fruit. This is the conclusion of a new briefing published today, bringing together all official EU data on the analysis of 791 different pesticide residues.
Citizen science investigation highlights indoor air quality dimension in air quality and climate efforts
19th June 2019
Brussels, 19 June 2019 - Air quality inside and outside of primary schools across Europe…
Citizen science monitoring of air quality in and around Madrid schools confirms the need to cut air pollution from transport
18th June 2019
Brussels/Madrid, 18 June 2019 - The quality of air inside and outside primary schools in…
HEAL’s environmental health priorities for next EU Commission President
15th July 2019
Ahead of a major vote in the European Parliament on the future European Commission President, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) sent its priorities to the candidate for President of the European Commission designated by the Council, the German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.
For a green reform of the Common Agricultural Policy – Open letter to the EU Parliament Agriculture Committee
9th July 2019
The Coalition for Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Food Policy - of which HEAL is a member - is calling on the EU Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) to conduct a fair and green reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
European Commission fails to publish outcome of a fitness check on Europe’s chemicals legislation
17th June 2019
Mere weeks before a high-level conference on the future of the European Union’s chemicals policy, the European Commission has not yet published the ‘raison-d’être’ for the event: the outcome of an evaluation of all chemicals policies except REACH.
33 organisations call for EU food policy and Vice President for Food – open letter to candidates for the presidency of the European Commission
9th May 2019
Thirty-three leading campaign groups, farming organizations, and think tanks have come together to call on the next European Commission President to put an EU food policy in place. Read our letter today.
Billige Kohle kommt der Gesundheit teuer zu stehen
28th December 2018
Dass Kohle schlecht fürs Klima ist, wissen die meisten. Weniger bekannt sind die Gesundheitsbelastungen durch die Kohleverstromung. Ein neues Briefing der Health and Environment Alliance beleuchtet die gesundheitlichen Folgen der Braunkohlenutzung und plädiert für einen schnellen Ausstieg.
Revamping buildings improves the climate, public health and social equality
17th October 2018
If we combine the current quest for energy efficient buildings with an equal quest for better health and more equal societies, we have the chance to limit global warming to 1.5°C. That also means alleviating poverty, improving energy security and creating not only greener but healthier, more equal and enjoyable cities with fewer respiratory and heart diseases, better mental health and happier citizens.
