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
How the chemicals in food contact materials are putting our health at risk
23rd May 2019
Nobody should ever have to worry about toxic substances making their way into our food. Yet, if you ask around, most consumers have no idea about the composition of the packaging wrapping their food and drinks, and how this might affect them. Current loopholes in the European legislation on food contact materials have as a result that its objective to provide a high level of protection for health is not fulfilled.
Webinar: New evidence on the endocrine disrupting properties of chlorpyrifos
22nd May 2019
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is organising a new series of webinars dedicated to the health and environmental impacts of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide widely used across Europe. Register today!
A HEAL tribute to Jean-Pierre Bourguignon
22nd May 2019
On 30th January 2019, the European environmental health community lost one of its inspiring pioneers, when Jean-Pierre Bourguignon passed away. Today the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) would like to pay tribute and express our gratitude to this forward-looking paediatrician and endocrinologist.
Civil society condemns the EU’s conduct in undermining an otherwise effective worldwide ban of toxic chemical PFOA
15th May 2019
HEAL joined an international group of chemical and health NGOs to publicly express deep regret and disapproval of the EU delegation’s behaviour and actions at the COP9 of the Stockholm Convention.
EU elections: vote for a healthy planet for healthy people
13th May 2019
HEAL showcases in a 10 day campaign 'Vote for a healthy planet for healthy people' some of the many aspects that citizens can have a say about using their vote.
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.
Civil society condemns the EU’s conduct in undermining an otherwise effective worldwide ban of toxic chemical PFOA
15th May 2019
HEAL joined an international group of chemical and health NGOs to publicly express deep regret and disapproval of the EU delegation’s behaviour and actions at the COP9 of the Stockholm Convention.
Health effects of glyphosate can be passed down to other generations, shows new study on rodents
23rd April 2019
A new study published today finds a variety of adverse health impacts in second and third generation offspring of rats exposed to glyphosate. It is the first of its kind to look at transgenerational effects and shows how descendants of exposed offspring were more likely to develop prostate, kidney and ovarian diseases, obesity and birth abnormalities.
European Parliament puts health and the environment first and calls on Commission to get rid of endocrine disrupting chemicals in our daily lives
18th April 2019
In the final plenary session of the European Parliament before the EU elections, MEPs have adopted a Resolution on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and are calling on the Commission to swiftly take all necessary action to ensure human health and the environment are protected against these harmful chemicals .
French farmer takes on Monsanto and wins – victory for all victims of pesticides
11th April 2019
The Court of Appeal in Lyon has ruled to hold Monsanto legally accountable for severely harming the health of Paul François, a grain farmer from France’s Charente region. Health actors are welcoming this historic win, a legal precedent in France, as a victory for all victims of pesticides.
New study calls for urgent evaluation of links between chlorpyrifos and autism development
3rd April 2019
The existing scientific evidence of the links between the brain-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos and the development of autism among children should urgently be reviewed, according to a new study published today in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Health risks associated with combined exposures to endocrine disruptors are systematically underestimated, shows EU research project
26th March 2019
Findings from the European research project EDC-MixRisk released today highlight that the health risks associated with the combined exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are systematically underestimated under current assessment methods in the European Union.
EU Parliament misses the mark on putting end to toxic chemicals in children’s toys made from recycled plastics
14th March 2019
The European Parliament’s environment committee today agreed to new EU rules on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which will keep millions exposed to toxic chemicals in toys and other products made of recycled plastics.
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.
NGOs urge immediate action to stop toxic recycling in the EU
24th April 2019
Leading European health and environmental organisations are urging governments to withdraw the Stockholm Convention recycling exemptions for persistent organic pollutants used as flame retardant chemicals.
NGOs express concerns about EU regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants
13th March 2019
Seven health and environment groups have written to European environment ministers, members of the EU Parliament and Commission to express concerns about the sum limit that includes DecaBDE in the regulation recast for persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
21 Civil society groups call for rejection of DEHP and Titanium Dioxide to protect health and environment
4th March 2019
HEAL joins other civil society groups in calling on members of the EU REACH Committee to protect human health and the environment in their upcoming discussions on the chemicals DEHP and Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) on 7 March.
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.
