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
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.
Dear Minister: Voice your support to non-renewal of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl
30th October 2019
Exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos harms children's brains. Yet it continues to be one of the most commonly used pesticides in Europe. HEAL calls on all European health, environment and agriculture ministers to support the non-renewal of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl.
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.
HEAL welcomes the 10 commitments from Frans Timmermans, Virginijus Sinkevičius and Stella Kyriakides to act for a healthy planet for healthy people
10th October 2019
After European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen had unveiled who will join her team during her administration, the newly-elected members of the European Parliament had a chance to test these confirmed nominees during committee hearings. So how did the European Green Deal Executive Vice-President designate, the Environment and Oceans Commissioner-designate and the Health Commissioner-designate perform and what did they commit to as a team?
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.
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.
First-ever Plastic Health Summit to present preliminary results of ground-breaking research by ZonMw
1st October 2019
What health risks do micro- and nanoplastics pose to the human body? The Plastic Health Summit, taking place October 3rd, brings scientists, influencers and industry from all over the world together and presents the preliminary results of ground-breaking research by ZonMw.
Citizen science air quality monitoring in and around Parisian schools confirms the need to cut air pollution from transport to protect health
18th September 2019
Brussels/Paris, 18 September 2019 - A citizens’ science monitoring project at six nurseries and primary…
New study on widely used plastic products confirms toxicity of chemical content– Health groups call on new European Commission to make addressing chemical pollution a priority
17th September 2019
The most comprehensive scientific study on the toxicity of chemicals present in plastic products to date, “Benchmarking the in Vitro Toxicity and Chemical Composition of Plastic Consumer Products”, was released today in Environmental Science and Technology.
Particulate air pollution found in and around classrooms in Sofia underlines urgency to act for clean air
17th September 2019
Brussels/Sofia, 17 September 2019 - The quality of air inside and outside primary schools in…
Berlin citizen science monitoring shows outdoor air pollution travels indoors to classrooms
17th September 2019
Brussels/Berlin, 16 September 2019 - Traffic pollution urgently has to be further tackled in Berlin…
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.
Dear Minister: Voice your support to non-renewal of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl
30th October 2019
Exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos harms children's brains. Yet it continues to be one of the most commonly used pesticides in Europe. HEAL calls on all European health, environment and agriculture ministers to support the non-renewal of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl.
18 NGOs write to REACH committee ahead of potential vote on a restriction on tattoo inks and permanent make-up
1st October 2019
A tattoo can be an important means of cultural or self-expression and is popular among Europeans. 18 NGOs have written to members of the REACH committee regarding an proposal for a restriction on tattoo inks and permanent make up.
Will EU ministers support the ban of the pesticide chlorpyrifos?
25th July 2019
The governments of the 28 Member States of the European Union are in the process of deciding on the future of a health-harming pesticide: chlorpyrifos. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), together with other civil society organisations, has written directly to all environment, health and agriculture ministers to express their concerns about the toxicity of this substance.
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.
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 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.
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.
