Health and Environment Alliance | Toxic Chemicals

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.

Chemicals in food wrappings can impact people’s health

2nd October 2019

Chemicals used for packaging our food can put our health at risk. This new infographic from HEAL explains the story behind food contact materials.

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.

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.

HEAL questions for European Parliament hearings – Legislature 2019-2024

19th September 2019

The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) prepared a dedicated set of questions to test three of the Commissioners-designates on their commitment to act for a healthy planet for healthy people.

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.

Proposed European restriction on tattoo inks and permanent make-up: HEAL and EEB’s final assessment

17th September 2019

For millions of Europeans, a tattoo can be a means of self-expression. It may also, however, represent a direct source of exposure to a complex cocktail of chemicals. support the proposal for an EU-wide restriction on tattoo inks, building on existing national legislation and based on the highest standards of protection of human health.

Why the European Parliament should reject the Commission proposed “One in, one out” principle

17th September 2019

The Green 10 is firmly against the introduction of a “One in, one out” principle for new legislation, as planned by European Commission President-Elect Ursula von der Leyen. The proposed principle calls for any new initiative that creates a burden to be compensated by relieving an equivalent existing burden in the same policy area.

10 ways to protect our health and the environment

13th September 2019

Preventing environmental pollution can save lives. There is clear scientific evidence on how environmental, chemical and air pollution as well as climate change threaten and impact our health. Europe has a real opportunity to protect and improve Europeans’ health and prevent major chronic health epidemics - here are ten ways how.

European civil society groups raise questions about industry-funded study on E171 toxicity and call on decision-makers to support the French ban on unnecessary food additive

12th September 2019

A crucial European meeting to discuss the French ban of E171 - the food additive version of titanium dioxide - is due to take place on Monday 16th September. Civil society groups across Europe raise questions about a new industry study released ahead of this meeting and warn against diverting decision-makers’ attention from the already existing evidence of the potential health threats posed by E171.

La déclaration de l’EFSA reconnaissant les effets nocifs du chlorpyrifos sur la santé humaine ajoute à l’urgence d’une interdiction totale

6th August 2019

La semaine dernière, l'Agence européenne de sécurité alimentaire (EFSA) a reconnu dans une déclaration publique que le chlorpyrifos est nocif pour la santé humaine et ne remplit pas les critères de renouvellement sur le marché européen[1]. Une coalition d'ONG rassemblant certaines organisations comme Health And Environment Alliance (HEAL), SumOfUs, Pesticides Action Network (PAN) Europe et PAN Allemagne et Générations Futures, salue cette déclaration, qui est un premier pas vers l'interdiction du chlorpyrifos dans les plus brefs délais.

EFSA’s statement acknowledging chlorpyrifos harm for human health adds urgency for a full ban

6th August 2019

Last week, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) acknowledged in a public statement that chlorpyrifos is harmful to human health and does not meet the criteria for renewal on the European market [1]. A coalition of NGOs including HEAL, SumOfUs, PAN Europe, PAN Germany and Générations Futures welcomes this statement, which is a first step in order to get chlorpyrifos banned as soon as possible.

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.

Organic diet during pregnancy means significant reduction of pesticide exposure, new study shows

17th July 2019

The results of the first ever long-term organic diet intervention study among pregnant women were published in Environment International. Researchers found that pregnant women’s exposure to pyrethroid insecticides was significantly reduced by adding organic fruit and vegetables to their conventional diets during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

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.

For a green reform of the Common Agricultural Policy – Open letter to the EU Parliament Agriculture Committee

9th July 2019

The Coalition for Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Food Policy - of which HEAL is a member - is calling on the EU Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) to conduct a fair and green reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

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