NEWS

HEAL recently highlighted the importance of continued EU action to reduce pollution in a panel discussion at the Brain Innovation Days. The science on how exposure to air, chemicals or pesticides pollution harms healthy brain development keeps growing: a recent review of 40 empirical studies conducted across four continents has shed light on the concerning link between outdoor air pollution and children's brain development.

HEAL is among a number of organisations who have written to the new Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen to offer our help and expertise in shaping policies to support a transition to fair, healthy, and sustainable food and farming systems. ​

Scientists and civil society organisations have sent a letter to EU Commission President Von der Leyen asking her to support an undisturbed continuation of the evaluation of the universal PFAS restriction proposal in its unchanged form, so that a significant and timely reduction in PFAS emissions can be achieved.

The letter, signed by more than 50 organisations, expresses concern about the current state of the EU Food Contact Materials Regulation revision (EC 1935/2004) due to its significant delay.

While the health impacts of air pollution are well-documented in scientific studies, this factor has not been recognized in Polish medical diagnoses as a primary cause of health issues until a breakthrough case last year. As highlighted by HEAL in Poland in May 2023, an eleven-year-old boy, Maciek (name changed), suffered for most of his life from a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and frequent infections, all of which worsened during the heating season. After a prolonged struggle by Maciek’s parents to find the true cause of his health issues, a conclusive opinion was finally issued, stating: “suspected bronchial hyperreactivity/allergy due to air pollution.”