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
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.
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.
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…
New EU Commission needs to walk the talk on clean air
29th November 2019
The Commission Staff Working Document on the Fitness Check of the Ambient Air Quality Directives, published today, makes it abundantly clear that it is necessary and beneficial to have European air quality standards. At the same time, the assessment points out that standards need to be implemented and applied rigorously, and that the current standards are not fully based on the latest science and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
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.
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 EU Commission needs to walk the talk on clean air
29th November 2019
The Commission Staff Working Document on the Fitness Check of the Ambient Air Quality Directives, published today, makes it abundantly clear that it is necessary and beneficial to have European air quality standards. At the same time, the assessment points out that standards need to be implemented and applied rigorously, and that the current standards are not fully based on the latest science and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
