Press note: The Forever Lobbying Project investigation finds that the clean-up of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in Europe could cost 100 billion euros annually. Health-related costs for PFAS exposure are estimated to reach up to 84 billion euros annually. With these revelations, combined with the mounting scientific evidence on PFAS’ grave health impacts, it is clear that the European Commission must ensure a robust EU-wide PFAS restriction and come up with a plan to address these costs as part of the Clean Industrial Deal.
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. The findings indicate that even relatively low levels of pollution—below current government air quality standards—can have effects on children’s brains.
Research has consistently shown that air pollution exposure is linked to various adverse impacts on children’s brain health. The studies reviewed in the new comprehensive analysis highlight several concerning outcomes, including structural brain alterations, the development of tumours, and changes in brain metabolites. These impacts were observed in children exposed to pollution levels that are still considered acceptable according to existing air quality guidelines in many countries.
The structural alterations in the brain were particularly significant, pointing to potential long-term effects on cognitive function and behavior. These changes suggest that the developing brain is particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors like air pollution, which may interfere with the critical processes of brain development during childhood. Evidence is also growing on how exposure to pesticides and hazardous chemicals impact brain health and are a factor in the rise of neurodegenerative disease in adults.
Anne Stauffer, Deputy Director of HEAL, highlighted the importance of addressing environmental pollution at the recent ‘Brain Innovation Days‘ event in Brussels, where experts gathered to discuss the theme of ‘Navigating the Brain Across a Lifetime’. During the event, Stauffer spoke on the critical role of environmental factors in shaping brain health, stressing the need for robust action to ensure cleaner air for future generations:
“Clean air is essential for healthy brain development. Air pollution has been found to cause cognitive decline, Parkinson’s disease and tumours of the central nervous system. Children are particularly at risk and harm to healthy brain development can happen even at relatively low levels of pollution”
These recent scientific findings highlight the need for more robust EU policy measures to reduce pollution in the air, water, soil, food, and consumer products. EU policymakers must enhance efforts to reduce pollution in forthcoming initiatives, including the revision of REACH, pesticide reduction, and the implementation of existing policies. This includes the EU Ambient Air Quality Directive which entered into force on 10 December 2024, and the EU NEC Directive, which is currently under assessment (see HEAL’s response to the public consultation here). It is crucial for policymakers to take a preventative approach when it comes to protecting vulnerable populations, especially children.
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