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
Joint letter to EU institutions on COVID-19 response
30th March 2020
HEAL is one of the signatories (together with WWF, BirdLife Europe, EEB, CEE Bankwatch, CAN…
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.
European governments united in addressing the air pollution health emergency
5th March 2020
Following the European Commission’s Conclusions on the Fitness Check of the Ambient Air Quality Directive from November 2019 (3), European Environment Ministers today adopted joint conclusions (4) where they “welcome the Commission's intention to propose a revision of air quality standards, and look forward to discussions on such proposals, including on a possible closer alignment of the EU air quality standards with the WHO air quality guidelines”.
European governments united in addressing the air pollution health emergency
5th March 2020
Following the European Commission’s Conclusions on the Fitness Check of the Ambient Air Quality Directive from November 2019 (3), European Environment Ministers today adopted joint conclusions (4) where they “welcome the Commission's intention to propose a revision of air quality standards, and look forward to discussions on such proposals, including on a possible closer alignment of the EU air quality standards with the WHO air quality guidelines”.
International scientists sound alarm bell over harmful chemicals coming in contact with our food
3rd March 2020
An international group of 33 world-renowned scientists published today a peer-reviewed consensus statement on the impact of food contact chemicals on human health and recommended improvements of the assessment of chemicals in a health-protective way. Civil society groups from Europe, the U.S. and Asia have issued a declaration of concern in response to this consensus statement, calling on regulators to upgrade regulatory frameworks in order to protect public health while ensuring a transition away from single-use towards safe and reusable food packaging..
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…
Joint letter to EU institutions on COVID-19 response
30th March 2020
HEAL is one of the signatories (together with WWF, BirdLife Europe, EEB, CEE Bankwatch, CAN…
HEAL response to the Beating Cancer Plan roadmap
4th March 2020
On 4 February 2020, the European Commission launched an EU-wide public consultation on Europe's Beating…
Joint letter to members of the Environment Council of the European Union on air quality action in 2020
28th February 2020
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), together with the European Federation of Allergy & Airways…
Stepping up Dutch climate action for a healthy future for our children
19th December 2019
The swift closing of the 3 additional coal power plants would not only deliver the missing 9 Mt of emission cuts the Netherlands still needs to additionally reduce for the year 2020, they would also deliver very tangible and immediate benefits to health, by reducing health costs of up to 263,273 Euros, and preventing over 25,000 lost working days due to illness annually. Nearly 1,500 asthma attacks by children would also be prevented.
The government has been appealing the Urgenda verdict for 4 years - it should recognise that accepting and executing it will be a blessing. For this week, I am looking to our Parliament and our government to reconfirm a commitment to a swift and urgent coal phase out before 2030 and the pathway to it - for decisive climate and clean air action, and the substantial benefit for our children in the short and long term.
Climate action for our health and planetary health
2nd December 2019
by Genon K. Jensen, Executive Director at HEAL We hope that world leaders meeting in…
There is only one way to protect children from the toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos: an EU-wide ban
8th October 2019
The widely used pesticide chlorpyrifos can seriously harm children’s healthy brain development. It will be for the next European Commission and European governments to deliver the one obvious solution: a complete ban of chlorpyrifos, to protect health and the environment.
Why regulation is the key to protecting today’s and future children from toxic plastic toys
3rd October 2019
by Genon K. Jensen, Executive Director at HEAL It’s encouraging to see that plastic pollution…
The climate emergency is a medical one – health sector issues prescription for a healthy energy future
24th September 2019
Today, HEAL launches the Prescription for a Healthy Energy Future for Europe, to shine a light on the health benefits the transformation of the energy sector will bring, and bring to the forefront those areas where change is urgently needed. We will eventually include transport and food production as well.
