We publish a monthly Newsflash to keep you up-to-date with all the latest scientific evidence of how HEAL’s and our members’ work is affecting EU environment and health policy.
The following is a chronological list starting with the most recent – you can also explore a specific subject area by using the search field.
| Date | Title |
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| 07/06/2013 | HEAL Newsflash - June 2013 HEAL’s latest Newsflash features: EEA report outlines environmental risks for people’s health HEAL responds to Berlaymont Declaration on endocrine disruptors WHO, climate change and health Road traffic noise increases risk of diabetes The Unpaid Health Bill launched in Poland Global call to take action on chemicals in consumer products and pesticides EEA report outlines environmental risks for people’s health The European Environmental Agency’s assessment underlines how EU environmental policies contributed to better health but also warns that work still needs to be done to address pollutants and new environmental health risks, and environmental health inequalities. Read more... HEAL participates at the 18th International Conference on Environmental Health in Children HEALer Julia Huscher participated at this conference in Poland to provide an overview on the effects of emissions from coal power plants on children’s health. Read more… Road traffic noise increases risk of diabetes The body of evidence on health impacts of noise is growing. After links to heart disease and children’s impaired learning, a new Danish study shows how noise may be associated with an increased risk of diabetes, a health challenge for the whole of Europe. Read more... HEAL responds to Berlaymont Declaration on endocrine disruptors Eighty nine of the world’s leading scientific experts on endocrine disrupting chemicals made the strongest ever call for regulatory action in the Berlaymont Declaration. Read more... Global call to take action on chemicals in consumer products and pesticides A group of influential scientists from the Endocrine Society have called on the UN, the WHO and other global players to take action to prevent harm from endocrine disrupting chemicals in consumer products and pesticides. These chemicals likely play a role in increased incidences of reproductive diseases, cancer, obesity, and type-2 diabetes worldwide. Read more... Global ban of flame retardant HBCD Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a common highly toxic flame retardant used in insulation, textiles, and electronics has been added to the list of chemicals banned worldwide. The decision came at a meeting of delegates to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Read more... Chemicals in children’s food The presence of toxic substances and chemical residues in food is a concern for children. The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) launched a statement for parents, carers and health professionals with information, based on up-to-date evidence of peer-reviewed scientific research. Read more... WHO, climate change and health Ahead of a high-level meeting of the World Health Organisation, HEAL teamed up with the Climate and Health Alliance, Climate and Health Council and other health professional organisations for a letter to the WHO Director General. Groups recall the Doha Declaration on Climate, Health and Wellbeing, and stress how important it is that all WHO member states take action on climate change. Read more... Which future for EU climate policy? The public consultation on the 2030 framework for climate and energy policies is still open for comments. Stakeholders are encouraged to share their views on the EU’s climate emission reductions, energy savings and renewables. Read more… The Unpaid Health Bill launched in Poland Burning coal in power plants in Poland results in health costs of up to 8.2 billion every year, according to HEAL’s latest report now available in Polish. The report launched at a press conference in Warsaw, reveals for the first time the monetary health costs of health for Poland. Read more... EU air quality measures: aim high! Health and environmental groups warn that the proposals on future EU air policies scheduled for this autumn could fail to achieve the emission reductions needed to tackle air pollution. The joint paper submitted to the EU Commission underlines that the scientific evidence on health effects calls for the highest level of ambition. Read more… Members' news WECF - Successful high level conference on integrating chemical safety in Belgrade EPHA - Brave New World: Inclusive Growth and Well-Being or Vested Interests and Lost Generations? ELF - Consortium member of two EU projects highlighted on World Asthma Day INCHES - 7th International Network on Children’s Health, Environment and Safety Conference, November 2013 C2DS - Training sessions on health and sustainable development Inter-Environment Wallonie - Signs open letter for a nanoregister in Belgium WECF - Disappointing results of COP6 in Geneva, not listing chrysotile asbestos Breast Cancer UK - New report gives evidence of the link between BPA and breast cancer PAN Europe - Proposal for a new EU Common plant health regime lacks environmental and public health considerations Générations Futures - Debrief meeting of the collective expertise of INSERM on pesticides Publications Nieplacony Rachunek: Jak energetyka węglowa niszczy nasze zdrowie - HEAL’s coal report in Polish Lepsze zdrowie dzięki zdrowemu środowisku - HEAL leaflet in Polish Events June 20 June – European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium: Initiative for Clean Air in Europe This event hosted by Peter Liese MEP and Chris Davis MEP focuses on practical solutions for clean air and best practice examples for clean air in cities. To register please email jennyfer.brendel@ep.europa.eu before 12 June 2013 24 – 25 - Brussels, Belgium: European Citizen’s Summit - First ever citizen's summit. Express your interest here before 14 May August 1 – 7 August – World Breastfeeding Week This year’s theme ‘Breastfeeding support: Close to mothers’ highlights Breastfeeding Peer counselling. More information available here 20-23 – Basel, Switzerland: ISES-ISEE-ISIAQ 2013: Environment and Health – Bridging North, South, East and West - More information here September 4 – 5 September – Brussels, Belgium: Brave New World: Inclusive Growth and Well-Being or Vested Interests and Lost Generations? This is an opportunity to look at how we can foster an EU that is coherent in its decisions, in terms of fostering the health and well-being of people living in Europe. More information available here 9 – 11 September – Manchester, UK: 9th International Symposium on Biological Monitoring The symposia brings together the world's leading experts and practitioners to share knowledge on topics including new biomarkers of exposure, effect and susceptibility, new analytical techniques and case studies of occupational and environmental exposures. More information available here November 22 – Jerusalem, Israel: 7th International Conference on Children’s Health and the Environment - More information here Take action Public consultation on the Green Paper ´A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies The Green Paper published on 27 March by the EC launches a public consultation - Deadline 2 July 2013 European Citizen´s Initiative "30km/h – making streets liveable!" European citizens are calling on the EU to introduce 30km/h as the standard speed limits for villages, towns and cities. More information here ECHA public consultation on its draft multi-annual work programme 2014 - 2015 - Deadline 15 July 2013 Media coverage Trade-offs: What’s good for the climate may not be good for the air Euractiv, 6 June 2013 Ukrainian ecologists call on EU not to fund new coal plants Euractiv, 6 June 2013 From coal to cars, EU states fail to combat air pollution Euractiv, 3 June 2013 Zdrowotne koszty pozyskania energii z węgla to nawet 34 mld zł Forbes Poland, 3 June 2013 Environment Agency's Lord Smith criticises the "dash for coal" Energy and Environment Management, 30 May 2013 89 scientists join call for EU action on hormone-disrupting chemicals Euractiv, 24 May 2013 HEAL tweets Anne @HealthandEnv Switch to walking & cycling, use renewables & eat a diet with less meat– a triple win for #climate, #air quality &#health EU Week against Cancer: why is prevention through a cleaner environment not on the agenda? Read HEAL's briefing http://bit.ly/15fdk53 |
| 13/05/2013 | HEAL Newsflash - May 2013 HEAL’s latest Newsflash features: HEAL welcomes MEP vote for better health protection in the 7th EAP The future of EU EDCs policy The Unpaid Health Bill launched in Germany Health benefits from cleaner air Fish consumption: which mercury intake is tolerable? HEAL welcomes MEP vote for better health protection in the 7th EAP HEAL welcomes the prominence given to improving health in the 7th EU Environment Action Programme including a focus to reduce asthma and allergies related to indoor air pollutants and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals such as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Read more… European Environment and Health Ministers agree to accelerate Europe’s work to minimise environmental health hazards The fourth meeting of the European Environment and Health Ministerial Board in Belgrade concluded that urgent action is needed in Europe to tackle environmental health hazards including air pollution, asbestos, mercury, unsafe water and poor sanitation. Read more… Late Lessons from Early Warnings: A Retrospective Look At Learning about Precaution HEAL was pleased to co-host the first in a series of Partnership Calls by the US Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) focusing on recent EEA findings on Late Lessons from Early Warnings. Discussions started with how to learn from historical cases of environment and health disasters, followed by addressed case studies on hazardous chemicals. Read more… Winner of HEAL´s health and environment film prize recognised at international film festivals Ed Brown’s documentary film ‘Unacceptable Levels’ has been accepted into 17 international film festivals thanks to the success of winning the first ever film prize on health and environment at the 30th International Environmental Film Festival earlier this year. Read more… The future of EU EDCs policy 20 environmental, occupation/workers and health organisations from across Europe urge EU Commission President Barroso and the EU Commission to put the EU on the path for significantly reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors. In a joint letter, the groups outline why comprehensive criteria, a far-sighted strategy and reviewing EDCs in REACH are needed to tackle the global EDCs threat. Read more... Why human biomonitoring is important for public health and policy-makers Support from EU decision-makers for human biomonitoring is growing. Measuring contaminants in our bodies can help politicians to fine tune or even launch new policies, allowing them to identify priorities and provide an early warning on potential threats to public health. Read more... Leading scientist on EDCs speaks on “winning back” public health Andreas Kortenkamp, author of two major reports on endocrine disruptors for the EU Commission, gave a lecture in Paris on tackling EDCs to win back public health. The meeting was organised by HEAL member Réseau Environnement Santé (RES). Read more... The Unpaid Health Bill launched in Germany Coal power plants in Germany are associated with health costs of more than 6 billion EUR per year. This is one of the findings on how coal pollution contributes to ill-health and death from the recent HEAL report “The Unpaid health bill”. The German version has now been launched with a press conference in Berlin. Read more… Changing your behaviour can help reduce climate emissions A new report put together by the EU Commission highlights the potential of behavioural change for tackling climate change. A healthier diet and replacing fossil fuel cars with more sustainable modes of transport can make significant contributions to reducing emissions. Read more… Study estimates health impact of coal-fired power plants in India A recent study shows that emissions from coal-fired power stations in India have a worrisome effect on ill-health and death. Two thirds of India’s electricity is produced by coal based power plants. Read more… Health benefits from cleaner air HEAL sent a letter to EU Environment Ministers ahead of the Informal Environment Council, urging them to consider the significant benefits for public health, well-being, and for the climate, that can be gained through ambitious EU measures to reduce air pollution. Read more... Stakeholders back tighter air pollution controls A summary of responses to the EU consultation on air quality policy was recently presented in Brussels. The answers show that the majority wants stronger emission reductions for cleaner air in Europe. Read more… Fish consumption: which mercury intake is tolerable? As the EU Food Safety Authority is currently reviewing the acceptable tolerable weekly intake for methyl mercury from fish, HEAL, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and the Zero Mercury Working Group have drawn attention to two reports on new scientific evidence on health effects. Groups call for a full revision of EFSA’s scientific opinion with a stakeholder consultation. Read more… Mercury exposure linked to diabetes risk A new study warns that young adults who have higher levels of mercury in their systems may face a 65 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Read more… Members' news EPHA - A call to action: Health, civil society and the reform of economic governance Vivosano - International Noise Awareness Day INCHES - 7th International Conference on Children’s Health and the Environment European Child Safety Alliance - Children and Household Chemicals RES - The role of EDCs in the rise of chronic diseases Générations Futures - French government ‘ignoring advice on pesticides’ Vivosano - Voting recommendations on 7th EU EAP sent to Spanish MEPs WECF - Strengthen chemical and product safety in the Western Balkans ELF - New research on effects of ozone on the fatty lining of the lungs EPHA - Briefing on health in Europe 2020 EFA - Call for support for Allergology education on World Asthma Day Action for Breast Cancer Foundation - Malta Airport ALIVE 2013 Cycling Challenge for Cancer Publications NGOs Position Paper on the EC proposal for a Medical Device Regulation COM (212) 542 HEAL position paper on the 7th EU Environment Action Programme Joint letter to EFSA on mercury in fish Letter to EU Environment Ministers: your exchange on air quality and urban environment HEAL & CHEM Trust's view on the report of the ED Expert Advisory Group Events May 15 – Brussels, Belgium: EPHECT Stakeholders meeting on chemicals in consumer products and indoor air quality - Registration closes on 14 May. Register and download the full programme here 16 - Brussels, Belgium: EP event - Can EU citizens afford their medicines? The economic crisis and access to medicines in Europe - More information and register here June 4-7 – Brussels, Belgium: EU Green Week: Cleaner air for all - More information here 5 – HEAL at Green Week: Session 3.4 and Session 5.1. 5 World Environment Day - More information here 24 – 25 - Brussels, Belgium: European Citizen’s Summit - First ever citizen's summit. Express your interest here before 14 May August 20-23 – Basel, Switzerland: ISES-ISEE-ISIAQ 2013: Environment and Health – Bridging North, South, East and West - More information here November 22 – Jerusalem, Israel: 7th International Conference on Children’s Health and the Environment - More information here Take action Public consultation on the Green Paper ´A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies The Green Paper published on 27 March by the EC launches a public consultation - Deadline 2 July 2013 Rights to water campaign: Water and sanitation are a human right! More information and to sign the petition here European Citizen´s Initiative "30km/h – making streets liveable!" European citizens are calling on the EU to introduce 30km/h as the standard speed limits for villages, towns and cities. More information here. Media coverage Health and Environment Unacceptable Levels Documentary video on demand release set for July 15 Wall Street Journal, 2 May 2013 Scientific Evidence of Health Effects from Coal Use in Energy Generation HCWH & University of Illinois at Chicago report, April 2013 Coal Gesundheitsschäden durch Kohlekraftwerke: Neue Studie befeuert Debatte Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 24 April 2013 Schadstoffstudie: Kohlekraft verursacht Tausende Todesfälle pro Jahr Spiegel Online, 24 April 2013 Studie: Kohlekraftwerke ruinieren die Gesundheit Die Welt, 25 April 2013 Climate change A vote in favour of the climate European Voice, 11 April 2013 Mercury Call a greater reduction in the limit of methylmercury in fish Agris Online, 7 May 2013 HEAL tweets HEAL welcomes the prominence given to improving #health in Europe in the 7th EU EAP http://bit.ly/11TaqPH #CHEcall featuring David Gee and Lisette van Vliet from @HealthandEnv on precaution Road #traffic #noise increases risk of #diabetes http://bit.ly/10TkkmK |
| 11/04/2013 | HEAL Newsflash - April 2013 HEAL’s latest Newsflash features: Protecting health, improving wellbeing in the 7th EAP EDC Free campaign website launched French committee and charter on pesticide alternatives Tcktcktck interview with HEALer Julia Huscher Spotlight on Health and Clean Air event Global Mercury treaty to be signed in October Late lessons from early warnings: A retrospective look at learning about precaution On 16 April HEAL is co-hosting the first in a series of CHE Partnership Calls which will focus on Late Lessons from Early Warnings: A retrospective look at learning about precaution. Issues for discussion include precautionary action, coping with multi-causal hazards and taking public health decisions under conditions of uncertainty. Read more... Protecting health, improving well-being in the 7th EAP With discussions on the 7th Environment Action Programme (EAP) currently taking place in the EP and among Member States, HEAL‘s position paper spells out why it is important to strengthen the health and environment dimension of the 7th EAP. Read more... HEAL’s latest report kicks off coal and health campaign in Europe ‘The Unpaid Health Bill: How coal power plants make us sick’ marks the beginning of a coal and health campaign in which HEAL will work closely with medical, health and climate advocacy groups, especially in countries where coal is a particular threat to health. Read more... New WHO report reveals unequal improvements in health in Europe While the overall level of health across the WHO European Region has clearly improved, European health statistics show inequities within and between countries, according to a new WHO report. The report also points to the role that environmental factors play in disease. Read more... EDC Free campaign website launched by coalition of public interest group An informal coalition of European public interest groups, concerned about how endocrine disruptors (EDCs) may be harming health, has recently launched an EDC Free website outlining a campaign call to action for an EDC Free Europe. Read more... EFSA opinion on endocrine disruptors proves problematic The EFSA opinion report on EDCs recently released is problematic in a number of areas, according to HEAL and CHEM Trust. The EFSA opinion is one of several inputs that contribute to the EU’s development of criteria to identify chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties. Read more... Which endocrine disrupting insecticides are children exposed to everyday? On 20 March, the results of the first part of an enquiry (EXPPERT enquiry 1) into the everyday exposure to endocrine disrupting pesticides were launched. A series of reports have been developed by Générations Futures to demonstrate the urgency of preventative action on EDCs. Read more... New video to celebrate Pesticides Action Week 2013 As part of their activities during Pesticides Action Week (20 – 30 March), HEAL and Pesticides Action Network Europe (PAN E) have launched a video clip to urge organisations to join their ‘EDC Free Campaign’. Read more... French committee and charter on pesticide alternatives A cross party committee of senators in France has launched a ''Charter for alternatives to pesticides'' (Charte du Comité des élus pour les alternatives des pesticides) to disseminate information on pesticides and promote alternatives. More than 100 elected officials – senators, members of Parliament and municipal councillors – have already joined. Read more... Pesticide victims: French authorities asked to compensate farmer For the first time, the French authorities have been asked to compensate a farmer because he developed a cancer associated with his exposure to chemical substances contained in pesticides. Read more... EU Green Paper on 2030 framework for climate and energy policies On 27 March, the European Commission published a Green Paper on "A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies". This paper launches a public consultation open until 2 July. Read more... Tctcktck interview with HEALer Julia Huscher on recent coal report Following the recent launch of HEAL’s coal report, Tcktcktck, the public campaign of the Global Call for Climate Action caught up with Julia Huscher, HEAL’s Coal and Health Officer. Julia discussed HEAL’s mandate on coal and health, and how the EU can be a world leader in addressing this issue. Read more... Spotlight on Health and Clean Air On 19 March, HEAL and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) co-organised the Spotlight on Health and Clean Air event at the EP which shed further light on air pollution and the measures that Europe needs in order to tackle this invisible killer. Read more... HEAL to participate in EU Green Week: Cleaner air for all HEAL will be participating at two events during EU Green Week which focuses on cleaner air for all in line with the 2013 EU Year of Air. Green Week offers the opportunity for debate, exchange of experiences and best practices on this theme. Read more... Indoor air quality: results from EU research projects Results from two EU funded research projects (HealthVent, SINPHONIE) shed light on the neglected policy issue of indoor air quality. Europeans spend the majority of their time indoors, and many EU policies influence the quality of the air we breathe inside. During the 2013 Year of Air, HEAL works to build support for an EU strategy to ensure clean air everywhere. Read more... Global Mercury treaty to be signed in October Ten years of efforts by NGOs, governments and UNEP were concluded on 19 January with the agreement of the final text of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The agreement is scheduled to be signed in Japan in October 2013. Read more... Members' news IEE - Now known as One Health Sweden C2DS - Promoting ANSES´s Scientific Conferences on health impact and environmental contaminants: air and water ISDE Austria - European Citizen´s Initiative "30km/h – making streets liveable!" RES - French Agency releases new BPA assessment EPHA - Secretary General Monika Kosinska becomes member of the Stoiber Group WECF - Participating in EP debate on positive relations of gender sensitive and environmental policies EFA - Report on the EP event "Indoor air quality and health-based ventilation guidelines" One Health Sweden - How to fight microorganisms - A biocide conference CPES - Participant at EFSA stakeholder forum on EDCs ELF and ERS - Road traffic pollution as serious as passive smoke in the development of childhood asthma Générations Futures - Launch of an Elected Committee for Alternatives to Pesticides WECF - More than 30,000 signatures to ‘Stop EDCs in toys’ EPHA - Secretary General participates in high-level OECD workshop on "Defining and Measuring Inclusive Growth" Publications Update of joint publication on Shale Gas: Unconventional and unwanted: the case against shale gas - March 2013 Events April 16 – France ANSES´s Scientific Conference – PNR EST Review: Environmental pollution, health impact and environmental contaminants: air and water - More information here 23 – EP, Brussels, Belgium: Presentation of results on Schools Indoor Pollution and Health: Observatory Network in Europe - To register please confirm your attendance by 12 April to Coordination_Sinphonie@rec.org 26 - Frence Senate Paris, France 14h - 17h30: "Endocrine disruption : Public Health's new frontier ?" - To register please send your first and last names, the name of your organisation and your contact details to colloque.edc@gmail.com by 20 April May 16 – Brussels, Belgium: EP event - Can EU citizens afford their medicines? The economic crisis and access to medicines in Europe - To attend please register here by 5 May June 4-7 – Brussels, Belgium: EU Green Week: Cleaner air for all - More information here 5 – HEAL at Green Week: Session 3.4 and Session 5.1. 5 World Environment Day - More information here August 20-23 – Basel, Switzerland: ISES-ISEE-ISIAQ 2013: Environment and Health – Bridging North, South, East and West - More information here Take action Public consultation on most harmful chemicals under REACH The European Chemicals Agency is gathering input on 10 chemicals nominated as Substances of Very High Concern. Deadline 18 April 2013 Public consultation on the Green Paper ´A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies The Green Paper published on 27 March by the EC launches a public consultation - Deadline 2 July 2013 Rights to water campaign: Water and sanitation are a human right! More information and to sign the petition here European Citizen´s Initiative "30km/h – making streets liveable!" European citizens are calling on the EU to introduce 30km/h as the standard speed limits for villages, towns and cities. More information here. Media coverage Chemicals Calls to ban dangerous chemicals The Independent, 8 April 2013 EFSA paves way for regulating endocrine disruptors in food Euractiv, 22 March 2013 EFSA´s EDC opinion reopens hazard versus risk debate ENDS, 22 March 2013 Health and Environment Partner Spotlight: Julia Huscher, Coal and Health Officer at HEAL TckTckTck, 20 March 2013 La société civile est-elle une source d’expertise sur les risques? Le Monde, 19 March 2013 HEAL tweets New EDC Free twitter account @EDCFree and Facebook page EFSA’s #EDC opinion reopens hazard versus risk debate http://bit.ly/11LjITs #EDCFree Traffic #pollution causes as much childhood #asthma as passive smoking http://bit.ly/WIDqLv #YearOfAir HEAL and Chem Trust position in Euractiv - EFSA paves way for regulating endocrine disruptors in food http://bit.ly/14WqztO #EDCFree |
| 15/03/2013 | HEAL Newsflash - March 2013 HEAL’s latest Newsflash features: How is coal pollution making us sick? 7th EAP kick-off debate in EP EP vote on EDCs conveys urgency 20 - 30 March Pesticide Action Week! HEALer Anne Stauffer receives Clean Air London award WHO report calls EDCs a 'global threat' How is coal pollution making us sick? The health costs of coal-fired power stations add a financial burden to the European population of up to €42.8 billion a year. This is the conclusion of a new HEAL report entitled ‘The unpaid health bill: How coal power plants make us sick’, which provides the first-ever economic assessment of the health costs associated with air pollution from coal power plants in Europe. Read more... 7th EAP kick-off debate in the European Parliament Discussions on the EU’s environmental priorities until 2020 have started in the European Parliament and among Member States. EP rapporteur Gaston Franco and MEPs recently presented their views in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee. Better implementation and increased communication to citizens were two key issues that emerged during the discussion. Read more... Winner of 'Health and Environment Film Prize' announced Ed Brown won the first-ever health and environment film prize for his documentary film “Unacceptable levels’’ at the 30th International Environmental Film Festival (FIFE). The prize was established by a partnership between FIFE, the festival organisers and HEAL. Read more... European Parliament vote on EDCs conveys urgency The European Parliament vote on 14 March adopting MEP Asa Westlund’s report on the protection of public health from EDCs reflects the serious concern and strong desire to see comprehensive and multifaceted EU policy action. Read more... WHO/UNEP report calls endocrine disruptors a 'global threat' A new report by the World Health Organization and the UN Environment Programme concludes that evidence linking hormone-disrupting chemicals to human health problems has grown stronger over the past decade, becoming a "global threat" that should be addressed. Read more... SIN List update: more chemicals for REACH's hazardous list, and producer information The newly released version 2.1 of the SIN (Substitute It Now!) List contains 626 chemicals that the International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) has identified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) based on the criteria established by the EU chemical regulation, REACH. Read more... 20 - 30 March 2013 - Global event: Pesticide Action Week The 8th edition of Pesticide Action Week takes place from 20 – 30 March with a special focus on endocrine disrupting pesticides, aiming to showcase the growing alternatives to pesticides. HEAL and its members will actively participate during this week. Read more... ‘The Climate Bonus: Co-benefits of Climate Policy’ Cleaner air, better health and a more efficient economy are some of the many co-benefits from investing in climate mitigation explains environmental policy expert Alison Smith in her new book ‘The Climate Bonus’. HEAL believes the assessment is food for thought for the upcoming deliberations on the 2030 climate and energy framework. Read more … Canadian doctors urged to fight climate change Medical professionals in Canada are looking into how climate change can lead to various public health problems. A recent editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal lays out this latest evidence and urges doctors to become more vocal in demanding climate action. Read more … NGOs set strategic priorities on air quality Sixty environmental, health and citizens’ NGOs from across the EU urge the European Commission to come forward with three priority actions to put the EU on track for cleaner air. The adoption of ambitious emission reduction commitments in the revised NEC Directive, sector legislation to cut emissions from all major sources; and enforcement and strengthening of ambient air quality limit values are crucial to improve health and environment. Read more... Air pollution increases chances of low birth-weight babies A new study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives reveals that air pollution in towns and cities increases the chances of women giving birth to small babies. Pollution from particulate matter has been linked with up to a 10% risk increase of low-weight babies. Read more … HEALer Anne Stauffer receives a Clean Air London 2013 Award for her tireless work on air quality Environmental campaign group Clean Air in London (CAL) has awarded a number of individuals, including HEAL’s Deputy Director Anne Stauffer in recognition of their work to improve air quality in the capital. The Awards recognise 24 people who have made a valuable personal contribution to improving air quality in London. Read more … Aphekom WP5 paper on health benefits of reducing urban air pollution The APHEKOM project aimed to provide new, clear and useful information on the health effects of air pollution in Europe. It assessed the health and monetary benefits of reducing short and long term exposure to PM and ozone in 25 European cities. Read more... Members' news IDEA & WECF - Women's Major Group intervention at UNEP Governing Council Vivosano - Campaign launch on the banning of Bisphenol A in food contact material in Spain Générations Futures - The APAChe investigation: Analysis of agricultural pesticide presence in hair EPHA and LSHTM - Preventing global NCDs through low carbon development conference RES - Call on French government to give National EDCs Strategy clear objectives for industry & business CPES - When will we see better UK water quality? ELF - Quarterly factsheets on work-related lung diseases IEE - Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2013 C2DS - National energy debate in France WECF - Information guide on EDCs EPHA - EP backs tobacco subsidies & votes on CAP unfriendly to public health Publications New HEAL report out - 'The Unpaid Health Bill: How coal power plants make us sick' Joint position paper: NGO priorities for review of the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution Open letter: Civil society alarmed by the prospect of regressive CAP reform Events March 15 March - Sheffield, UK: Conference - Carcinogens in the workplace - More information here 15-16 March - São Paulo, Brazil: 3rd International Conference on Health, Wellness and Society - More information here 19 - 20 March - Aronsborg, Balsta: IEE 4th Scientific meeting 'One Health-Cooperation and Vision' - More information here 20 - Brussels, Belgium: EFSA event ´Human health and environmental risks of endocrine active substances – EFSA meets stakeholders´ - More information here 20-30 March – Global: Pesticide Action Week - More information here 22 – Brussels, Belgium: 75th Anniversary of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine - International Symposia - More information here 23 - 24 March - Paris, France: De l'indignation à l'engagement: la santé environnement: un vrai enjeu? - More information here 28 – Paris, France: Développement durable en santé management du 21e siècle - More information here April 4 – Paris, France: Colloque - Environnement, Chimique, Obésité, Diabète : un constat pour une meilleure prévention, by RES and Mutualité Francaise - More information here 26 - Paris, France: Endocrine disruption: Public Health's new frontier? by RES & Générations Futures. Lecture by Pr. Andreas Kortenkamp - To attend please contact colloque.edc@gmail.com by 18 April June 20-30 – Brussels, Belgium: EU Green Week - Cleaner air for all - More information here Take action EU public consultation on unconventional fossiel fuels e.g. shale gas in Europe All stakeholders are invitied to contribute with their views on the possible opportunities and challenges of such projects Deadline 23 March 2013 Public Consultation on most harmful chemicals under REACH. European Chemicals Agency gathering input on 10 chemicals nominated as Substances of Very High Concern. General support or specific input from interested parties welcome. Deadline 18 April 2013 Media coverage Health and Environment Air pollution puts UK in the dock and Europe in the red Euractiv, 7 March 2013 Un rapport dénonce la nocivité des centrales au charbon Le Monde, 7 March 2013 Coal Kills - Time to Kill Coal Huffington Post, 7 March 2013 Health groups call for phase out of coal power stations British Medical Journal, 12 March 2013 Air pollution: Europe's avoidable health risk The Lancet, 16 March 2013 Full media monitoring coverage 15 March 2013 here Film showing effects of chemicals on human health wins award, Chemical Watch, 27 February 2013 Noise Disappointment over EP vote on noise limits, Europolitics, 7 February 2013 HEAL tweets This is your body on #coal. See the total #healthimpacts of #coal power in our new report: http://bit.ly/ZkYlTt pic.twitter.com/f5qvqA0953 #HormoneDisruptors. Support the solid cross group compromise on @AsaWestlund #EDCs report. #EDCfree #EDCStrategy WHO #air #pollution review prompts new #EU policy promises @WH via @Europolitics Disappointment over @Europarl_EN vote on #noise limits |
| 08/02/2013 | HEAL Newsflash - February 2013 HEAL’s latest Newsflash features: Health groups disappointment on EP noise vote HEAL welcomes Parliament vote on endocrine disruptors EU Year of Air: strengthening EU legislation to reduce health impacts from air pollution Cutting soot mitigates climate change more than previously thought HEAL announces entries for ''Health and Environment Film Prize'' HEAL will be awarding a prize for the best health and environment documentary at the 30th International Environmental Film Festival taking place from 19-26 February in Paris. The winner will be awarded with the HEAL/FIFE trophy and receive 5,000 Euros at a ceremony on 26 February. Read more... Health groups disappointment on EP noise vote The majority of MEPs regrettably put the interest of noisy car makers ahead of their constituencies’ health, despite solid evidence on how current noise levels in Europe harm our health. Health groups including HEAL and EPHA and sustainable transport group Transport and Environment (T&E) all expressed their disappointment. Read more... Second EEA 'Late Lessons' report draws on environmental health concerns HEAL welcomes an important report published by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) which highlights how action on early warning signs may be justified – and even act as a driver for innovation. Read more... HEAL welcomes Parliament vote on endocrine disruptors On 23 January, the EP Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety voted a draft Resolution, sending a clear message to the European Commission to act promptly to protect public health from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Read more... Early-life prevention of chronic diseases For the first time, a leading international health journal, The Lancet, featured the need to address early-life and toxic exposures to metals, chemicals and air pollution to help prevent non-communicable diseases. This commentary article was led by a group of scientists and leading health and environmental spokespeople, including Genon Jensen, Executive Director of HEAL. Read more... France bans BPA in food packaging France is now another country which has taken action to reduce exposure to endocrine disrupters. HEAL member Reseau Environnement Santé (RES) and partner La Mutuelle Familiale, a French public health insurer commend this historic vote to ban BPA in food packaging. Read more... Cutting soot mitigates climate change more than previously thought Black carbon - otherwise known as soot - has been ranked as the second-largest contributor to climate change, exerting twice as much of an impact as previously thought, according to a new UN sponsored analysis. Cutting soot emissions would have significant benefits for public health and the climate. Read more... Air pollution ranked as top health risk factor in Europe The new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) assessment, released in a special issue of the leading British medical journal, The Lancet showed that outdoor air quality has been recognised as a top level risk for public health. Read more... EU Year of Air: strengthening EU legislation to reduce health impacts from air pollution The 2013 EU Year of Air provides great opportunities to improve public health as the Commission gears up to review EU air legislation and put forward new proposals later this year. HEAL and other stakeholders discussed what needs to be done at an international conference organised by the European Commission (EC), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Health Effects Institute. Read more... Indoor air quality: launch of EU health-based ventilation guidelines On 20 February, the HealthVent consortium will launch health-based ventilation guidelines for Europe. At the event in the EP, participants will also discuss the significance of ventilation guidelines for EU policies on health, air quality, energy, eco-design and buildings and consumer products. Read more... New Eurobarometer: Attitudes of Europeans towards air quality Europeans are increasingly concerned about air pollution in their countries. A recent Eurobarometer survey carried out by the European Commission highlights the views of the European public on matters of air quality and air pollution. Read more... Global mercury treaty would make Europe's children brainer HEAL welcomes a recent scientific assessment published in Environmental Health which highlights how preventing people’s exposure to mercury in the environment could save the European Union (EU) €8-9 billion per year by protecting children’s brain development. Read more... Members' news AWHHE - ''Safe Toys For Our Children'' Vivosano - EDCs documentary: ''In Small-Print'' WECF - Toxic Free Gifts for Dutch Parliamentarians Appel de jeunesse - Conference on the impact of our enviroment on our health - EDCs RES - Harmful effect of bisphenol A (BPA) shown experimentally EPHA - Conference on tackling health inequalities through investing in housing IPEN - Mercury Monitoring: Global Mercury Hotspots report WECF and PAN - Up to 30 different endocrine disrupting pesticides found in fruit and vegetables in the EU Publications HEAL submission to EU public consultation - Ensuring sustainable development globally: EU follow up to Rio +20 HEAL Briefing: EU vehicle noise emission standards: health evidence and concerns Events February 12 February London, UK: Preventing global NCDs through low carbon development - More information here 19 - 26 February - Paris, France: 30th International Environmental Film Festival - More information here March 3 - 6 March - Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Environmental Health 2012 Conference - More information here 15 March - Sheffield, UK: Conference - Carcinogens in the workplace - More information here 15-16 March - São Paulo, Brazil: 3rd International Conference on Health, Wellness and Society - More information here 19 - 20 March - Aronsborg, Balsta: IEE 4th Scientific meeting 'One Health-Cooperation and Vision' - More information here 20-30 March – Global: Pesticide Action Week - More information here 23 - 24 March - Paris, France: De l'indignation à l'engagement: la santé environnement: un vrai enjeu? - More information here May 28 - 31 May - Copenhagen, Denmark: COW 2013 7th Copenhagen Workshop on EDCs 'Human Environment, Lifestyle, and Genes in Endocrine Disruption' - More information here Take action EFSA public consultation: Draft scientific opinion on the safety of artificial sweetener aspartame All stakeholders and interested parties are invitied to contribute - Deadline 15 February 2013 Check out an inspiring environmental health film in Paris from 19 - 26 February Learn more about how your health is intricately linked to our environment by watching a series of health and environment documentaries. The best film will be awarded with a trophy and prize, as part of HEAL´s 10th anniversary celebrations - share on Facebook EU public consultation on options for revision of the EU Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution and related policies All stakeholders and interested parties are invitied to contribute with their views on the review of the EU's Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution and identify options for a comprehensive air pollution policy package that would aim to ensure full implementation of the existing legal framework and make further progress to reduce the negative impacts of air pollution in the long term - Deadline 4 March 2013 EU public consultation on unconventional fossiel fuels e.g. shale gas in Europe All stakeholders are invitied to contribute with their views on the possible opportunities and challenges of such projects - Deadline 23 March 2013 Media coverage Health and Environment L'Europe doit mieux tenir en compte des alertes selon un rapport de l'AEE:La Gazette Santé-Social, 25 January 2013 Sécurité sanitaire: l'Europe doit mieux tenir en compte des alertes: Romandie, 25 January 2013 Chemicals Early-life prevention of non-communicable diseases: The Lancet, 5 January 2013 More media coverage on chemicals here Mercury Negotiators Seek to Finalize Mercury Treaty As Groups Warn About Cost of Inaction: Bloomburg BNA, 15 January 2013 Global mercury treaty would 'make Europe brainier': PublicServiceEurope.com, 7 January 2013 HEAL tweets @HEAL : HEAL welcomes EP vote on endrocrine disrupting #chemicals (EDCs) @HEAL : Linking #Mercury and adverse #Health effects should be a no-brainer http://bit.ly/UAFVR6 pic.twitter.com/kXP9LgU @HEAL : We need better communication with the public to highlight #health impacts, Genon Jenson @Green_Europe conference on air #cleanair #YearofAir |
| 12/12/2012 | HEAL Newsflash - December 2012 HEAL’s latest Newsflash features: HEAL’s reaction to 7th EU Environment Action Programme proposal Health and Environment Film Prize at International Festival Quieter cars and lorries essential for improved health and more economically viable Air quality in the spotlight in 2013 European Parliament puts EDCs on the agenda Review of chlorpyrifos pesticide by European Commission HEAL’s reaction to proposal for 7th EU Environment Action Programme (7th EAP) While HEAL welcomes that health concerns feature in the EU Commission proposal to guide EU environmental policy up to 2020, actions put forward to reduce exposure to air and noise pollution or hazardous chemicals are too superficial to bring down rates of chronic disease from environmental pollution and the associated economic health costs. Read more… Health & Environment Film Prize at International Environmental Film Festival As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, HEAL will be awarding a prize for the best environment & health film at the International Environmental Film Festival (Fife) in Paris from 19-26 February 2013. Selected documentaries will focus on how environmental issues impacts human health. Read more … Quieter cars and lorries essential for improved health and more economically viable On 18 December 2012, members of the European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health committee will vote on new EU standards for vehicle noise. Traffic noise is the second biggest threat to health after air pollution, so this first update on noise standards is a not-to-be missed opportunity for public health protection. It also makes a lot of economic sense, since the benefits outweigh the costs by a factor of 30 to 1. Read more... Reforming the European Food Safety Agency HEAL joined other public interest organisations in handing over a statement to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) with recommendations on how to improve the independence, transparency and use of non-industry funded experts and science in its work. Read more … European Parliament puts Endocrine Disruptors on the agenda The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety will soon vote on a report on the Protection of Public Health from Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs). HEAL urges further strengthening of the report in order to lay the basis for an ambitious new EU Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) strategy, for high quality criteria to identify EDCs and for a sound review of EDCs treatment in REACH authorisation. Read more... Revising the EU Strategy on Endocrine Disruptors: nearing a decisive moment Read a commentary from HEAL in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health this month highlighting why the time is right for urgent action and a new strategy on EDCs. Learn more … EU bio-monitoring highlights exposure to harmful chemicals in mothers and children Analysis of 4,000 urine and hair samples in 17 European countries collected under the first EU-wide human biomonitoring project COPHES/DEMOCOPHES suggests that all mothers and children have chemicals in their bodies that should not be there. The findings reveal that the human body is contaminated with small levels of mercury, cadmium, cotinine and five phthalates (EDCs used in plastics). HEAL has been a partner in the COPHES project to highlight especially the policy implications. Learn more … Delegates decision prolongs toxic pollution Government delegates at the committee meeting on the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have failed again to take urgent action on this group of harmful toxic chemicals. They have postponed the decision for another three years at least, thus continuing the global contamination of the environment, wildlife and humans with these harmful chemicals. Read more … International workshop on low dose effects Risk assessors, toxicologists, endocrinologists, and epidemiologists met on 11-13 September in Berlin for an international workshop on low dose effects. HEAL and other NGOs joined the workshop discussions on whether the current data on low dose effects and non-monotonic dose response curves for endocrine active substances are sufficient to re-examine the ways in which chemicals are tested for endocrine disrupting properties and how risk to human health is managed. Click here for more information on the conference and speaker presentations. Breast cancer: Occupational exposure research highlights opportunities for prevention Research findings from Canada lend weight to hypotheses that reducing exposure to chemicals could reduce breast cancer rates in women. The results indicated that women who worked for a longer period of time in jobs classified as highly exposed to carcinogens and endocrine disruptors had a higher risk of breast cancer. Read more … Building a pesticide free future – How can you get involved in the Pesticide Action Week? For several years HEAL has been a supporting partner of the Pesticide Action Week which takes place annually across the globe. From 20 – 30 March 2013, the 8th edition will have a special focus on endocrine disrupting pesticides, and will aim at showcasing the growing alternatives to pesticides use through discussions, workshops, information stands, exhibitions etc. In 2012, 750 events took place in France and in 21 countries. Read more about the event or register your event here. EU Commission announces review of pesticide chlorpyrifos Health and environment groups welcome the EU Commission’s announcement to review the approval of the pesticide chlorpyrifos after years of accumulated evidence of suggesting harmful effects to health. HEAL and its member, Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) urge the EU Health Commissioner to opt for a full ban in order to better protect children. Read more. Global health community united in call for climate action At the UN climate talks COP18 in Doha, Qatar last week, HEAL with other health organisations from around the world released a statement on the health benefits of taking action on climate change. The Doha Declaration on Climate, Health and Well-being, signed by more than 50 organisations and almost 2000 individuals calls on governments to recognise that a carbon intensive economy and changing climate contributes to major health problems and increased mortality rates. Read more … Agreement on renewal of the Kyoto Protocol at UN climate talks? After two weeks of intense negotiations, the UN climate conference, COP 18 in Doha, Qatar finally produced an agreement to renew the Kyoto Protocol for a further seven years from January 2013, as well as a new 2015 climate treaty. Health aspects continued to feature in the discussions. Read more … European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes alarming assessment of Europe’s vulnerability to climate change EEA report findings showcase how climate change is already contributing to disease and premature death in Europe. HEAL believes that this report – which also projects substantial costs to health for the future – should bring a greater sense of urgency to EU climate policy in terms of increasing the EU level of ambition. Read more … Health impacts of coal power plants in the German-Polish region Lusatia HEAL issued a briefing on the health impacts of coal power plants in the Polish-German border region at an event hosted by the regional chapter of Marburger Bund, a medical doctors association with over 110,000 members in Germany. Read more … Air Quality in the spotlight in 2013 2013 as the EU Year of Air will include a series of expert meetings, consultations and EU research results to assess the significant public health problems and costs linked to air pollution, and contribute to policy revisions expected later in the year. HEAL will participate in the high-level kick-off event on 8 January 2013, organised by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), followed by an air quality & health conference organised by the EU Commission, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Health Effects Institute at the end of the month. Read more... Exposure to traffic air pollution in early years damages lung function in children A new study of the leading Karolinska Institute of Environmental Medicine in Sweden highlights that exposure to ambient air pollution from traffic during infancy is associated with lung function deficits in children up to eight years of age. Children sensitised to common allergens are particularly vulnerable. Read more … Support EU and global phase-outs of mercury use in dentistry High quality and cost-effective alternatives to dental amalgam are readily available. HEAL and other organisations believe that dental amalgam use should be phased out and time-tables for such action should be supported at both the EU and global levels. A joint letter was sent to EU member state representatives and dental experts, ahead of a recent EU Commission meeting on dental amalgam. Read the joint letter here... Members' news From science to policy – Fifth annual conference of the Environment and Health Fund (EHF) French Parliament follows the road towards BPA- and EDCs-free products by RES “In small print”, a new documentary on endocrine disruptors by Vivosano Foundation A generation of guinea pigs, no thanks! by Collectif Appel de la Jeunesse Sign the European Citizens’ Initiative: Water and sanitation are a human right by EPHA Help make BPA a thing of the past by signing the petition by Breast Cancer UK How EFSA can prepare itself for the challenges of tomorrow by CPES ECSA highlights connection between poverty and Child Injury at EPHA event False alarms or missed hazards: How should regulators define “endocrine disruptor?” by CPES A new French authority to protect whistle-blowers and strengthen the ethics of scientific expertise by RES Chair of Breast Cancer UK shortlisted for prestigious award Economic policies must address the real impact of crisis on people living in Europe by EPHA Publications Health impacts of lignite-fired power plants The German-Polish region Lusatia (ENG) Health impacts of lignite-fired power plants The German-Polish region Lusatia (GER) Moving Beyond 20% How reducing GHG emissions benefits people’s health in the EU The health benefits of greenhouse gas reduction policies Shale gas: Unconventional and unwanted: the case against shale gas Events 13 December 2012 - Partnership Call: Methods for Screening and Assessing Chemicals (CHE) - Register here 31 December 2012 – Jaffa, Israel: From science to policy - More information here 8 January 2013 – Brussels, Belgium: EEB conference on “Blowing the winds of change into European air policy” - More information here 15 March 2013 – Sheffield, United Kingdom: Carcinogens in the Workplace - More information here 15-16 March 2013 - São Paulo, Brazil: Third International Conference on Health, Wellness and Society - More information here 20-30 March 2013 – Global event: Pesticide Action Week - More information here Take action Endorse the Doha Declaration on Climate, Health and Well-being: Health must be central to climate action Health and medical organisations from around the world signed a declaration for the Doha climate negotiations on how to better protect and promote our health. Get involved by signing on as an individual or as an organisation concerned about climate change and health. Sign the Declaration here! Clean transport, urban transport in the EU: how do we get there? Express your opinion on how best to contribute with targeted EU-level action to high-quality and sustainable urban transport and mobility for all users in the 27 EU Member States. The deadline for submissions of the public consultation is set for 17 December 2012. Act now! Bringing Rio home The UN Conference on Sustainable Development Rio +20 which took place in June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro may be over but the work for a sustainable future goes on. The success of Rio+20 depends on the continuing engagement of citizens organisations and other stakeholders to push for the implementation of the political decisions taken at the historic UN Conference. Submit your ideas by filling in the public consultation. The deadline is 15 January 2013. Act now! Media coverage A letter to the Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny urging him to promote green jobs in the EU ahead of the Irish 6 month presidency of the EU starting on 1 January 2013 was mentioned in the Irish Times on 10 December 2012. Genon Jensen HEAL’s Executive Director and current Green 10 chair was quoted, expressing concern about Ireland’s agenda, which makes no reference to a green economy, and instead focuses on jobs and growth alone. The Green 10 is a group of leading environmental NGOs active at EU level. Read the full article here. A commentary from HEAL in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health last month says the forthcoming criteria for identifying and assessing EDCs needs to capture those suspected of harmful impacts as a basis for EU legislation to phase them out. Results of the EU biomonitoring pilot project prompted articles in ENDS Europe Daily, Euractiv and Chemical Watch, and a letter from Irish Doctors Medical Association (a HEAL member) in the Irish Medical News. |
| 10/10/2012 | HEAL Newsflash - October 2012 HEAL’s latest Newsflash features: HEAL’s 2012 Annual General Assembly a success! Global consensus achieved on EDCs UK reports the health impacts from climate change BMA launches flagship report on healthy transport EEA shows city population at highest risk How is indoor air quality in your school? Tuna presents health risk in school lunches Study on GMOs strongly suggests need for reform HEAL’s 2012 Annual General Assembly a success! HEAL members elected a new HEAL President and Executive Committee at the Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Brussels on 13-14 September. They also adopted a work programme, agreed the accounts, welcomed new members, and discovered about two new tools to help bring science to policy makers in workshops on air quality and chronic diseases Learn more... Societal benefits called for in EU agricultural policy HEAL believes that health and the environment should be greater priorities of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). With negotiations on the EU’s next budget (MFF) high on the political agenda, the Green 10 in which HEAL is a member sent a letter to EU ministers of Finance, European Affairs, and Agriculture to urge them to ensure that no decision on the overall allocations to the CAP, under the MFF, would be taken before a decision was made on what the CAP budget will deliver. It also recommends safeguarding those parts of the CAP budget that clearly demonstrate benefits to society and European taxpayers. Learn more ... NGOs highlight benefits of stringent noise standards HEAL, T&E, EEB together with Eurocities, the network of major European cities - have called on EU Member States to reject attempts to further weaken the proposal on new EU vehicle noise limits. Ahead of a Competitiveness Council working group meeting, the joint letter highlighted the benefits to public health and national budgets of stringent noise standards. Learn more ... Alarm created by EFSA announcement on EDCs HEAL and 19 other NGOs have written to the European Commissioners for Health and Environment about the request from DG SANCO to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for a scientific opinion on identifying endocrine disruptors. The NGOs point out that DG Environment has led the process to formulate such criteria for over a year. They are concerned about duplication of efforts, provide a reminder on concerns about the reliability and impartiality of prior EFSA work on endocrine disruptors, and ask how the EFSA opinion will be compatible with the need for horizontal criteria that will cover all legislation. Read more … HEAL Policy Workshop on Chronic Diseases and Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) HEAL held a policy workshop on chronic diseases and endocrine disruptors (EDCs) on 14 September in conjunction with HEAL’s Annual General Assembly. The morning workshop featured external speakers and presentations of case studies from HEAL’s own member organisations. Learn more ... Global consensus achieved on EDCs HEAL welcomed the global community’s resolution recognising the likely adverse effects of endocrine disruptors on human health at the recent SAICM meeting. The risks posed by endocrine disruptors were recognised as an emerging global issue at the Third International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM3) paving the way for greater international cooperation and more information to address health and environmental risks linked to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). HEAL believes this resolution will mean greater cooperative efforts among health-affected groups to address common origins of disease, promote effective policy, and reduce exposure to EDCs. Read more … Study on GMOs strongly suggests need for reform A French study reveals important shortcomings in our food safety system which could have adverse effects on human health. The study revealed that rats fed on genetically-modified maize and exposed to a common herbicide associated with maize production developed tumours faster and died earlier than rats fed on a standard diet. Given these new findings, testing methods of genetically-modified food should be reconsidered and similar studies should further investigate these results. Read more … UK reports the health impacts from climate change The UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) has published a special report on the health impacts of climate change in the United Kingdom. It features new climate projections and estimates health impacts from a changing climate due to heat waves, air pollution, floods, water and insect-borne diseases. For heat waves alone the death toll could multiply by six by the end of the century. Read more … BMA launches flagship report on healthy transport In a key report launched this summer entitled Healthy transport = Healthy lives, the British Medical Association (BMA) makes a case for improved transport systems that benefit health and contribute to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. HEAL greets the report as further evidence for decision makers to integrate health in transport policy decisions. Read more … HEAL Policy Workshop on Air Quality At least half a million people die every year in the European Union due to air pollution. Higher rates of chronic cardiovascular and respiratory disease create economic costs as well as individual suffering. A HEAL policy workshop on air quality featured upcoming policy developments, new scientific evidence from recent research projects, a real time monitoring of air pollution in Brussels and best practice examples from public campaigns targeting air pollution in cities. Read more … EEA shows city population at highest risk The new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on the air quality situation in Europe in 2012 confirms that many parts of Europe still have persistent problems with particulate matter (PM) and ozone concentration levels. The situation is especially worrying for those living in cities where almost a third of the population is exposed to levels above EU air quality standards. When compared to stricter WHO air quality guidelines, almost every European living in a city is exposed to concentrations harmful to health. Read more ... How is indoor air quality in your school? The EU funded SINPHONIE project will soon launch results on the indoor air quality situation in schools and health effects on children. In this first ever European wide monitoring, 40 participating scientists carried out fieldwork in 118 schools in 24 countries, involving around 350 classrooms with 8000 students. HEAL is a member of the SINPHONIE advisory board and participated in the final meeting in Hungary. Read more … Tuna presents health risk in school lunches A US study investigated mercury levels in canned tuna used in school cafeterias. Despite recognised public-health concerns about mercury exposure and awareness of children’s developmental vulnerability, canned tuna remains the largest source of methyl mercury in the US diet. It contributes to 32% of the total and is a major source of mercury exposure for children. This is also the case in many European countries, with some countries consuming even more tuna than in the US. Read more … New study associates mercury exposure to attention deficit disorder A new study of Inuits living in Arctic Canada, is the first to find an association between mercury and symptoms of attention deficits in children. It is also the first to replicate previously reported associations between low-level childhood lead exposure and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a population exposed to lead primarily from dietary sources. These findings highlight the importance of reducing exposures. Read more … Members' news WECF France: Endocrine disruptors: Threat to women’s health RES: French environment discussion brings disappointment CPES: Regulatory challenges presented by endocrine disruptors PIN for Health opens a Centre for Rural Health in Croatia Malta’s ABCF organises “Walk for Life” IEE event on preventing antibiotic resistance Breast Cancer UK to re-launch ‘No more BPA’ campaign C2DS calls for an energy efficiency fund in France Vivo Sano raises awareness on emerging diseases EPHA criticises unchecked influence of big business in Brussels Publications HEAL Annual Review 2011 The review of HEAL’s policy and communication achievements for 2011 is now available. The review covers the six main policy areas environment & health, children’s health, chemicals, pesticides/biocides, air quality and climate change amongst others. Read more... New IPEN Brochure: Working Together for a Toxics-Free Future The International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), a global network of more than 700 public interest non-governmental organizations all working together for the elimination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other persistent toxic substances has just released a new brochure. It shows IPEN’s success in elevating local concerns on chemical safety to global policy arenas, advancing a global toxics-free future movement, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and eliminating serious threats. Download the brochure here. Events 9-11 October -’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands : Sustainable development: This is your chance 22-25 October – Larnaca, Cyprus: Human Biomonitoring (HBM): Linking environment to health and supporting policy 25 October - Uppsala, Sweden: Infectious disease in a changing world How does it effect everyday life 26 October – Brussels, Belgium: ECERI meeting Environmental Carcinogenesis 12-15 November – Bolinas, USA: Training on reproductive health and environmental health sciences 23 November – Anderlecht, Belgium: First day of « Environmental Health » of the ULB 23 November – Uppsala, Sweden: Joint Battle against Infectious Disease and Antibiotic Resistance 5-6 December – Paris, France: Third national congress of the French Society for environmental health 10-11 December – Paris, France: International conference on recent advances on the environmental and health effects of endocrine disrupters->http://www.env-health.org/resources...] Take action ECHA launches a public consultation on 54 potential Substances of Very High Concern Scientific Committees: open call for experts in nanotechnology Capture the invisible for the EEA photo story competition Have your say on the future of EU noise policies as a citizen, organisation or public authority ->http://www.env-health.org/news/late...] Media coverage HEAL’s Lisette van Vliet was quoted in Le Monde, France on 2 October 2012 over the worrying development in the EU EDC process. EFSA has been asked to give an opinion in a process that has been the responsibility of DG Environment until now. An article in Chemical Watch referred to the NGO letter signed by HEAL which expresses grave disquiet at EFSA involvement. HEAL is quoted in a review of the UK Health Protection Agency's recent report on the health effects of climate change. The article was published on the tcktcktck, the Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) website. Climate change to increase health risks in the UK: Report, 20 September 2012. Anne Stauffer, HEAL was quoted in Euroactiv’s article “Lawmakers urged to back tough clean air package”, 27 September 2012. HEAL’s recent seminar on chronic disease and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was featured in Chemical Watch on 18 September 2012 in an article entitled “Environmental health experts highlight link between EDCs and chronic disease”. Swiss TV documentary, “Citizens against cancer” (2011) which features interviews with Genon Jensen and Lisette van Vliet, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) at the 3rd Paris Appeal conference, was shown on the German/Swiss/Austrian channel "3Sat" on 18 September 2012. It had previously been transmitted on French language Swiss television and on Flemish language television. |
| 05/09/2012 | HEAL Newsflash - September 2012 HEAL’s latest Newsflash is out and it features: Achievements for better health through a healthy environment (HEAL Annual review 2011) Listen to your doctor: setting strict vehicle noise standards for better health Croatia: Environmental health prevention opportunities through EU accession New scientific study reveals adverse effects of mixtures of pesticides Achievements for better health through a healthy environment (HEAL Annual review 2011) Discover HEAL’s latest annual review – fresh of the press! It showcases examples of environmental health prevention achievements in our policy areas chemicals, pesticides/biocides, air quality, climate change and how we work with our members. Learn more … Listen to your doctor: setting strict vehicle noise standards for better health The British Medical Association (BMA) has just urged that health be prioritized in transport planning and policy decisions. BMA’s concerns tie into a recent study from Denmark on increased heart attack risk because of road traffic noise. As MEPs are about to vote on reducing vehicle noise HEAL hopes they will listen to the voices from the health and medical community for stricter standards. Learn more … Croatia: Environmental health prevention opportunities through EU accession Croatia’s upcoming EU membership provides for many benefits for people’s health through better environmental protection. Yet conclusions from a recent conference on environment & health in Zagreb state the country will have to make greater efforts at better implementation of the EU environmental laws and inclusion of civil society to do so. Learn more … Better policy uptake of scientific results Participants from national health and environmental ministries and agencies, researchers, NGOs and policy-makers came together for the final conference of the ERA-ENVHEALTH network in Paris to discuss future research priorities on health effects of environmental pollution and how scientists can foster better uptake of research in policy discussions. HEAL gave a keynote presentation. Learn more … Policy workshop: Chronic diseases and Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) A growing body of scientific evidence links endocrine disruptors (EDCs) to chronic diseases. A policy workshop that HEAL is organizing on 14 September aims to highlight the science and tools on the links between EDCs and chronic diseases, and the important role that groups working on these diseases can play in this critical dossier for human health. Learn more ... NGO comments on the RAC and SEAC opinion on the Danish phthalate dossier HEAL and eight other European NGOs wrote an open letter to the Environment and the Health Commissioners criticising recent ECHA committee opinions which concluded that the Danish proposal to restrict four phthalates in consumer goods was not justified. Learn more … New scientific study reveals adverse effects of mixtures of pesticides The term “cocktail effect” is commonly used to describe possible effects from being exposed to a mixture of chemical substances, for example, several different pesticides in food. HEAL member Générations Futures (GF) has facilitated a new study on impacts of pesticides mixtures on cells. The work builds on the Toxics Menu report on pesticides contamination of daily children’s meals, which was launched by HEAL and GF in December 2010. Learn more … Australian co-benefits report prominently mentions HEAL & HCWH Acting NOW! Report A new report puts the spotlight on co-benefits of climate change mitigation to be reaped for Australia. It effectively reframes the current discussions from climate costs to climate benefits, particularly for people’s health and healthcare systems. Learn more … EU debates measures for climate change adaptation Climate change will have an impact on the environment and on human health. The EU Commissioner for Climate is developing an EU Adaptation Strategy and asked for public input. HEAL took this opportunity to offer comments and tools and also supported other organizations with their submission. Learn more … Policy Workshop: EU Year of Air – how can we reduce air pollution to improve health? While there have been some improvements in air quality in Europe, air pollution continues to be a massive public health problem, which is responsible for nearly half a million deaths each year in the European Union alone. On 13 September, HEAL is organising a policy workshop for an exchange on health effects of air pollution, on what is being planned for the EU Year of Air 2013 and on how groups can become involved in EU policy decisions for cleaner air. Learn more... Global Mercury treaty: it’s time for action on health In early July, the European Union, Canada, USA and other high income countries opposed a separate health provision during the fourth (of five) negotiating meetings for a global mercury treaty in Uruguay. Latin American countries had proposed a separate article calling for health programs to identify and protect populations at risk, through the development and implementation of health-based guidelines to reduce mercury exposure. The global Mercury Convention is anticipated to be finally agreed in January 2013 at the fifth negotiation session in Geneva. Learn more … Other Issues: HEAL is recruiting! HEAL is currently recruiting a mid-level Communications and Campaigns Officer to take the lead on the coordination of HEAL’s communication tools, which are key to our work in promoting public health through a healthy environment in Europe and beyond. If you or someone you know might be interested in this position please forward this message along. Learn more and see how to apply! Members' News European Lung Foundation: New study shows exposure to common toxic substances could increase asthma symptoms EFA event at the European Parliament "May Contain/Contains - Food Allergen Labelling" PAN Europe publishes new report on the derogations of illegal pesticides granted by EU Member States Fundacion Vivo sano : Spanish survey on consumer perceptions around chemicals and health Malta Health Network & EPHA present «A taste of Europe: Introducing EU Health policy and how civil society can advocate for better health at EU level» EPHA position on the European Commission’s 7th Environment Action Programme C2DS Guideline “Better Practices, Guideline for the Health Sector” Take action Spread the WHO advice and action plans on European severe heat-wave Triclosan in cosmetic products Have your say on the future of EU noise policies Public consultation: Update of the European Union’s Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Call for experts on the safety of the use of dental amalgam and its substitutes EEA seeks five new members of its Scientific Committee Call for experts in EMF Events For more information on the following events click here. 10–13 September – Malta: The sixty-second session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe 11 September – Malta: « A taste of Europe: Introducing EU Health policy and how civil society can advocate for better health at EU level » 11-12 September - Szentendre, Hungary: SINPHONIE final conference 13 September – Brussels, Belgium: Policy Workshop: EU Year of Air – how can we reduce air pollution to improve health? 14 September – Brussels, Belgium: Policy Workshop: Chronic Diseases and Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) 17 September – Paris, France: Conference “From HUMAN BIOMONITORING to European and national policies: meeting the MS representatives” 17 -21 September – Nairobi, Kenya: Third session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM3) 19 September – Brussels, Belgium: EFA event at the European Parliament "May Contain/Contains - Food Allergen Labelling" 22-25 October - Larnaca, Cyprus: Conference on "Human Biomonitoring (HBM) – Linking Environment to Health and Supporting Policy 25 September – Brussels, Belgium: Evening reception on “20 years of protecting Europe’s nature - €3 cents for the future of Natura 2000” 26-28 September - Malmo, Sweden: CleanMed Europe 2012 25 October – Brussels, Belgium: ECERI General Assembly 12-15 November – Bolinas, USA: Training on reproductive health and environmental health sciences Media coverage HEAL’s Executive Director Genon Jensen was quoted in the British Medical Journal with her assessment of the environmental health track record of the EU Commission 2009-12. The midterm review brought together by Green 10 the alliance of 10 leading European non-governmental organizations, of which HEAL is a member, received widespread media coverage. More than 20 articles were published on the review. Publications HEAL Annual review 2011: Achievements for better health through a healthy environment |
| 12/07/2012 | HEAL Newsflash - Summer 2012 HEAL’s latest Newsflash features: Health impacts from coal power plants in Europe Public Health Financing on EU agenda Health & Environment Priorities of the Cypriotic EU Presidency Green Stimulus Measures needed to Exit Crisis Special WHO meeting on the implementation of children’s environmental health commitments EU high level conference on EDCs – the tipping point? EU Commission off their game Halfway through its term in office, the European Commission is falling behind to create sustainable long-term prosperity in Europe. Green 10, a platform of environmental organizations active at EU level, of which HEAL is a member, launched their assessment of the Commission’s environmental (health) performance since 2010. Learn more… ENVI vote on EU Public Health Financing Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted their position on the proposal for EU financing for public health activities 2014 onwards. In their position on the Health for Growth Programme MEPs stress that environmental factors need to be considered in disease prevention. Learn more… Health conclusions from ‘The Future We Want’ Rio+20 outcome document Civil society groups from all over the world voiced disappointment on the outcomes of the UN conference on sustainable development. While the document “The Future We want” lacks concrete objectives and timelines, HEAL is nevertheless pleased to see that health has gained a more prominent role in the lead up to Rio. Learn more… Special WHO meeting on the implementation of children’s environmental health commitments In 2010, health and environment ministers from the 53 countries of the WHO European region committed to measures to protect especially children’s health from environmental threats in the Parma Declaration and Commitment to Act. This includes for the first time-bound goals. Ministry representatives and stakeholders met recently to discuss progress on the implementation regarding the definition of indicators to measure progress. Learn more… Health and Environment Priorities of the Cypriotic EU Presidency On 1st July, the Republic of Cyprus took over the Presidency of the EU and presented their environmental and health priorities. HEAL hopes the next 6 months will provide for many opportunities to show why environmental prevention measures are good for both health and the economy. Learn more… Green Stimulus Measures needed to Exit Crisis, warn leading environmental groups Ahead of the EU Summit, the Green 10 network of leading environmental organizations encouraged EU heads of government to break the link between the banking and the sovereign debt crises. They welcome that the debate is moving towards an EU stimulus agenda, and urge that such a plan must halt the destruction of natural wealth and its harmful impacts on human health. Learn more… EU high level conference on EDCs – the tipping point? The European Commission held a high level conference “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Current challenges in science and policy" on June 11-12. The presentations and discussion made clear that a tipping point had been reached in the science since the Weybridge meeting held in 1996. Learn more… European Environment Agency reviews endocrine disruptors’ impacts Given growing evidence of health problems deriving from exposure to hormone disruptors in the environment, the European Environment Agency’s “Weybridge+15” report reviews the impacts of endocrine disruptors on humans, wildlife and their environments. This updated compilation of technical papers and discussions underscores the importance of better understanding health risks in order to protect ourselves and wildlife from environmental contaminants. The full report can be found here. Health impacts from coal power plants in Europe HEAL is becoming increasingly concerned about scientific findings on the health impacts from coal plants, and has started to bring together reports and case studies in order to raise awareness with politicians and the general public on this problematic energy form. Learn more… Take action Submit data on Bisphenol-A in food contact materials The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is looking for data on the occurrence and migration of Bisphenol-A (BPA) in materials such as polycarbonate bottles and internal lining of cans. Member States, research institutions, academia, food business operators, packaging business operators and other stakeholders are invited to submit data on Bisphenol A, in particular on the occurrence data in food and beverages intended for human consumption, the migration data from food contact materials, and the occurrence data in food contacts materials. Data should be transmitted using the EFSA web interface “Data Collection Framework (DCF) at https://dcf.efsa.europa.eu/dcf-war by 31 July 2012. Act now! Have your say on the future of EU noise policies The EU Commission is consulting on future measures to reduce noise exposure, a key issue for public health protection. Citizens, experts and practitioners in public authorities, trade unions, NGOs, health experts and others are invited to comment on the effectiveness of the EU Environmental Noise Directive (END) and the future of EU noise policies. Potential measures that participants are invited to comment on include setting EU-wide noise limits or trigger values, and noise labels for road vehicles and houses. The consultation is part of the follow-up to an implementation report on the END from 2011. The deadline to submit views is 25 September 2012. Act now! Sign on to the PPTOX consensus statement on early life exposure The scientific consensus statement from the recent ‘PPTOX’ conference on environmental and nutritional stressors in the developmental origins of disease is now open for signatures from scientists. The paper highlights that because early development (in utero and during the first few years after birth) is particularly sensitive to disruption by exposures to chemicals in the environment and to imbalanced nutrition, with potentially adverse consequences for health later in life, both research and disease prevention strategies should focus more on these vulnerable life stages. The paper is now open for further signatures from scientists, who can sign by sending their name, affiliation, and country to pptox3@gmail.com. Act now! Respond to the EU consultation on climate adaptation The EU Commission has launched a public consultation that seeks to collect opinions from citizens, organisations and experts in the field of adaptation to climate change with a view to getting additional information for the preparation of the EU Adaptation Strategy. This Consultation on the Preparation of the EU Adaptation Strategy includes 20 questions covering aspects such as which groups might be most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, how the private sector should its actions, how member states should facilitate mitigating climate change, and more. The call for opinions is open until 20 August 2012. Act now! Publications Off their Game : Green 10’s mid-term assessment of the European Commission 2010-2012 Environmental Track Record Off their Game : Green 10’s information postcard CHM Bulletin – Summer 2012 edition Members' News ISDE, IDEA: Statement on Electromagnetic (radio frequency) Radiation (EMR) and Health Risks EFA: patients’ perspective on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and its link to energy efficiency GF: Concerns about France’s increased pesticides use RES: New French policy on Dental mercury IDEA: Disappointment on Rio+20 outcomes RES: Congratulations to BPA researchers PAN Europe: Conflicts of interest still evident on new ESFA expert panels RES: Video on Pthalates’ Symposium now available EPHA: MEPs lead urgent plea from health community to prevent health crisis in Europe C2DS: Guides on Sustainable development and better practice in healthcare “Women for Green Way for Generations”: climate change electronic newsletter Media coverage Following Genon K. Jensen’s opening remarks on pollution at the Green10 mid-term review of the European Commission’s record on environmental issues, HEAL is featured in articles by Bloomberg and German and Spanish news agencies and in The Parliament.com, Europolitics and Chemicals Watch on 3 July 2012. The Parliament.com quoted Genon as saying: “that "swifter action" was needed, particularly in tackling air pollution which, she said, kills 500,000 people in Europe each year.” Three months after our work with CHEM Trust in the promotion of their report on chemical exposures’ links to obesity and diabetes, 14 new links have been added to the media coverage (two global, 12 European) including a new country, Central African Republic. Full report. Events 6-11 July 2012 - Cape Town, South Africa: The Third Peoples Health Assembly (PHA3) 25 July 2012 – CHE Conference Call: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals - New Directions in Science and Policy 11-13 September – Berlin, Germany: Low Dose Effects and Non-Monotonic Dose Responses for Endocrine Active Chemicals: Science to Practice 5-6 December – Paris, France: Third national congress of the French Society for environmental health 10-11 December– Paris, France: International conference on recent advances on the environmental and health effects of endocrine disrupters |
| 20/06/2012 | HEAL Newsflash - June 2012 HEAL’s latest Newsflash features articles on: Preventing cancer incidence starts with a strong chemicals policy WHO conference on climate change & health: Lessons learnt in the EU Rio+20: Reinforcing the link between environment & health Child Safety Report Cards: How much progress? A toxics-free future! EU Energy Efficiency Directive: an opportunity for health & climate protection Discover our members’ news & take action section, plus new publications! HEAL welcomes Environment Ministers’ inclusion of “health protection” in 7th EAP The Health and Environment Alliance strongly supports the EU Environment ministers’ call for environmental policy measures, which will help prevent rising rates of chronic disease, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, in the 7th Environmental Action Programme. The conclusions urge the Commission to address health and environment in the forthcoming 7th EAP proposal “to ensure the continuation and enhancement of policies to protect human health and the environment.” Learn more … Rio+20: Reinforcing the link between environment & health World leaders and NGOs come together this week in Rio de Janeiro for the UN conference on sustainable development. In the run up to Rio+20, health benefits of sustainability and de-carbonisation have gained increased prominence. HEAL hopes that the health economic arguments will be a driver for a good outcome. Learn more… A joint declaration on reducing vehicle noise Traffic noise is one of the most widespread environmental problems in the European Union, affecting the health of one in three EU citizens. HEAL and other transport and environmental groups have launched a joint declaration to build support for a five step programme which will substantially reduce noise. The declaration is supported by many cities in Europe and is launched prior to European Parliament decisions on vehicle noise planned for the next weeks. Learn more … Child Safety Report Cards: How much progress? Protecting children’s health from environmental threats has been at the heart of the WHO Environment and Health process in the recent years. At the last ministerial meeting in Parma, environment and health ministers from 53 countries of the European Region agreed for the first time on time bound targets and goals for children in areas such as water and sanitation, physical exercise and chemical safety. The 2012 Child Safety report cards assess 29 European countries fare in preventing the risks of children’s injuries. Learn more… Response to European Commission’s position on chemical mixtures Health environmental and consumer groups expressed their deep concern at the Communication from the European Commission on people’s exposure to mixtures of chemicals, the so-called “cocktail effect”, especially as it relates to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Learn more… A toxics-free future! As world leaders come together for the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development, HEAL and many other civil society organizations from around the globe urge them to agree on good outcomes to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Global Common Statement for a Toxics-Free Future was initiated by the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) to elevate public awareness and catalyze political leadership for action to protect families, communities, workers and the environment from hazardous chemicals today, for a more hopeful tomorrow. Learn more… Scientists emphasize chemical and nutritional origins of common diseases The scientific consensus statement from the recent ‘PPTOX’ conference on environmental and nutritional stressors in the developmental origins of disease has been published in the journal ‘Environmental Health’. Signed by 33 scientists, the paper entitled ‘Developmental Origins of Non-Communicable Disease: Implications for Research and Public Health’, is now open for further signatures. Learn more ... Preventing cancer incidence starts with a strong chemicals policy A new study of the Flemish Cancer League (Vlaamse Liga tegen Kanker – VLK) analyses in depth the implications of chemicals policy on cancer incidence. It stresses the importance of strong EU legislation to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals which will have effects at local and national level. Learn more … EU Energy Efficiency Directive: an opportunity for health and climate protection Prior to the final negotiations on the EU Energy Efficiency Directive HEAL sent a letter to energy and health ministers arguing that the EED provides a vital opportunity to close the gap to the 20% target, but must be made considerably more ambitious than the Council currently foresees. At present rates of progress, the EU will miss its target to reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2020 by at least half. This would mean missing out on a great many direct and indirect health-related co-benefits, linked to better air quality and less fuel poverty. Learn more … WHO conference on climate change and health: Lessons learnt in the European Region HEAL gave a presentation and led a working group on raising awareness for climate change and health at the WHO European Region workshop from 4-6 June 2012. The meeting brought together representatives of 53 countries to discuss progress made and current needs of the health sector in climate change adaptation as well as the potential contribution of the health sector in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more … Videos of presentations, workshops and testimonies of pesticides and health conference In March HEAL member Generations Futures organized a high level conference in the French senate on pesticides and health entitled: 'Which ways of improvement are possible?'. Its aim was to bring the voice of health-affected groups to the debate. HEAL was one of the co-sponsors of the event. A compilation has been made of most of the presentations, workshops and studio interviews which took place at the two-day conference. Learn more … Take action Sign on to the Joint Declaration on vehicle noise! This five step plan is a ‘sound investment’ in noise, given that it will reduce traffic noise levels by half in urban areas. Urge members of the European Parliament and EU Member States to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to substantially and cost-effectively improve the health and wellbeing of EU citizens. Act now! Stop fracking in Europe before the damage is done! The European Commission is taking a “wait-and-see” approach on the use of hydraulic fracking and shale gas, which will allow the shale gas industry to continue exploring and to start extracting shale gas. Tell the European Commission that you don’t want this extreme source of high-carbon energy, shale gas, to be developed in the EU. Fill out and/or edit the letter as you wish. It will be sent directly to the responsible EU commissioners. Act now! Be involved in public consultation with new scientific evidence on risks of phthalates DINP and DIDP The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a public consultation on a draft report reviewing the science on phthalates, DINP and DIDP. ECHA is looking for new and relevant scientific evidence that may not have been assessed. Once this consultation period is over, ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) will give a scientific opinion on the draft report taking into account comments received from the public. Comment on the draft report by 31 July 2012. Act now! Respond to the EU consultation on climate adaptation The EU Commission has launched a public consultation that seeks to collect opinions from citizens, organisations and experts in the field of adaptation to climate change with a view to getting additional information for the preparation of the EU Adaptation Strategy. This Consultation on the Preparation of the EU Adaptation Strategy includes 20 questions covering aspects such as which groups might be most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, how the private sector should its actions, how member states should facilitate mitigating climate change, and more. The call for opinions is open until 20 August 2012. Act now! Members' news CPES: Opportunities for cancer prevention EPHA: Policy-makers and civil society warned about the risks of neglecting public health in times of austerity CHE: “Healthy Environments Across Generations” - the first ‘unconference’ for promoting health across the lifespan PAN Europe: Criteria for Endocrine disrupting pesticides in food WEN: Seeing Red for Sanitary Protection and the Environment VIVO SANO presents conclusions of Congress on Risks for Public Health and the Environment at the Polytechnic University in Madrid LLM: Environment is also important for the mutual benefit societies Uppsala University reports biocides, including nano silver, in clothes may cause problems for Health Care Services Pan Europe appeal sets off 'historic' court ruling Publications Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin releases special edition on Endocrine Disruptors Choosing our Future: Comic book Media coverage Genon K Jensen and Lisette van Vliet, HEAL wrote about the “European example” in a special issue on environmental health of San Francisco Medicine. HEAL’s position on the 7th Environmental Action Programme (EAP) was quoted in the European policy news website, Euractiv. An interview with leading US scientist Shanna Swan, organised by HEAL, was also published on this influential website Events 28 June - Webinar (18h CEST Geneva): Cutting carbon, improving health 1 July - Nürnberg, Germany: Conference on heavy metals and chronic diseases: new therapeutic approaches 6-11 July 2012 - Cape Town, South Africa: The Third Peoples Health Assembly (PHA3) September 11-13 September - Berlin, Germany: Low Dose Effects and Non-Monotonic Dose Responses for Endocrine Active Chemicals: Science to Practice |
| 10/05/2012 | HEAL Newsflash - May 2012 HEAL's latest Newsflash features articles on: Danish presidency event on health and climate US expert warns on feminisation of boys Industry asked for substitution case stories Fracking: Groups call for precaution Science and policy: Bridging the gap NGOs urge enforcement on air quality Take Action: Stop fracking in Europe before the damage is done! 7th EAP: Will environment ministers deliver on E&H protection? Health impacts from noise on the EU agenda Fracking: Groups call for precaution Shale gas is a dangerous experiment for the environment and human health. In a joint position statement, HEAL and other environment and health groups are calling on EU member states to suspend existing ‘fracking’ projects and ban new ones. With the European Parliament preparing to adopt a resolution on fracking, groups urge Parliament to take a strong stand, and not to feed into the fossil fuel addiction. Learn more... 7th EAP: Will environment ministers deliver on E&H protection? Deliberations on the 7th EU Environment Action Programme are intensifying. On 11 June, EU environment ministers will adopt their recommendations for the new programme. HEAL is pleased to see that both within the European Parliament and among Environment Ministers there is support for health&environment concerns. Yet this commitment needs to translate into concrete targets and actions, as well as adequate financing. Learn more... Health impacts from noise on the EU agenda Noise not only interferes with people’s daily activities at school, at work, at home and during leisure time but it also involves health risks which can cause sleep disturbance, hearing damage and heart disease. As the European Parliament is currently discussing a proposal to reduce vehicle noise, HEAL and others demand a more ambitious law to address the issue. Learn more... Science and policy: Bridging the gap Two upcoming international conferences will present key opportunities to make the link between research on environment and health (E&H) and its uptake by policy makers.The 3rd PPTOX conference on environmental exposures and development and the ERA-ENVHEALTH conference are an excellent opportunity to share new science and start various collaborations. Learn more... US expert warns on feminisation of boys Professor Shanna Swan, a leading US scientist and expert on phthalates, was at EU Parliament on 12 April 2012 to present EU decision makers with her latest research findings on the health impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Professor Swan highlighted her work linking exposure to phthalates and a feminisation of boys exposed in utero. Learn more… Industry asked for substitution case stories Industry produces and uses tens of thousands of chemicals to make the products we use in our everyday lives. However, hundreds of those chemicals have been linked to serious adverse health effects, such as cancer, developmental disorders and infertility. Environmental, health, consumers and women’s organizations are calling on companies to provide substitution examples (or case stories) to an EU-funded project called SUBSPORT, where they can showcase their efforts in substituting hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives. Learn more… Danish presidency event on health and climate Danish health minister, Astrid Krag expressed great concern about the existing burden of disease that is linked to environmental pollution at a meeting organised during the Danish Presidency in Copenhagen on 25 April 2012. She said that fighting air pollution was an important instrument to decrease the burden for asthma patients. Learn more... NGOs urge enforcement on air quality HEAL and over 25 other NGOs urge commissioner Potočnik to take immediate action against those Member States who are breaching their obligations to comply with limit values set by the EU’s ambient air quality legislation. Every day, in many places across the EU, the limits for particulate matter (PM10) continue to be breached although EU legislation entered into force more than seven years ago. Learn more... Take Action Stop fracking in Europe before the damage is done! The European Commission is taking a “wait-and-see” approach on the use of hydraulic fracking and shale gas, which will allow the shale gas industry to continue exploring and to start extracting shale gas. Tell the European Commission that you don't want this extreme source of high-carbon energy, shale gas, to be developed in the EU. Fill out and/or edit the letter as you wish. It will be sent directly to the responsible EU commissioners. Submit opinions on nanosilver & antimicrobial resistance + nanomaterials in medical devices The EU Scientific Committees are calling for information (publications, references) for an opinion they will make on nanosilver & antimicrobial resistance. Take action now! Ensure consultation on future EU environment programme includes heath as a priority The European Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views on the 7th Environmental Action Programme (7th EAP), which will set out priority objectives for EU environmental policy to be pursued up until 2020. Review the consultation and give your input by June 1. Members' news EPHA responds to consultation on sustainability Petition for Breast Care Unit in Malta Procedure leaves gates open for banned pesticides EU reapproves controversial soil fumigant Follow up on ‘One Health Sustainable Health’ WECF call for applicants to Rio+20 Good Practice Award RES on World Environment Day: Talking Health! Publications Joint Position Paper on new EU vehicles noise limits Joint position statement on shale gas, shale oil, coal bed methane and ‘fracking’ Call on industry to provide substitution case stories Media coverage Annika Ahtonen at the European Policy Centre in Brussels cited HEAL’s findings on health co-benefits in her article “Creating a greener and healthier Europe - a policy blueprint” published in Public Service Review. She argues for greater alignment of health policy with environmental initiatives because of the intricate links between the two agendas. Events May 10 May - WHO series on Climate change and Health webinar: The role of health in sustainable development: Focus on Rio+20 14-16 May - Paris, France: Conference on Prenatal Programming and Toxicity (PPTOX) 16-18 May - Madrid, Spain: Congress on Risks for Public Health & the Environment 31 May – 1 June - the Hague, the Netherlands: Extraordinary second meeting of the European Environment and Health Task Force on Parma follow-up indicators June 4-6 June - Bonn, Germany: Climate change and health: Lessons learnt in the WHO European Region 4-6 June – France: World Environment Day: Talking Health! 6 June - Brussels, Belgium: EPHA Annual Conference 2012 - Restructuring health systems: How to promote health in times of austerity? 11-12 June - Utrecht, the Netherlands: ESCAPE meeting 13-14 June - Paris, France: ERA-ENVHEALTH final conference 14 June - Parma, Italy: EFSA's 17th Scientific Colloquium on low dose response in toxicology and risk assessment 15 June, Stockholm, Sweden: Why are we concerned about endocrine disruptors? 20-22 June 2012 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20 |
| 06/04/2012 | HEAL Newsflash - April 2012 Featuring: Countdown to Rio+20 EU consults on tackling chronic diseases Spotlight on noise and health Putting health at the centre of the EU Environment Action Programme HEAL speaks at French Senate on pesticides and health Briefing for policy makers: The health benefits of greenhouse gas reduction policies Act now or face costly consequences, warns OECD Countdown to Rio+20 With less than 100 days to go to the UN conference on sustainable development, Rio+20, from 20-22 June, preparations among global leaders and civil society are intensifying. Many health groups and the World Health Organization, are working towards Rio+20, aiming to recognize health as the fourth pillar in sustainability. Read more… EU consults on tackling chronic diseases The European Commission has started a long-awaited consultation with citizens, patients and health professionals on further EU actions on chronic diseases. Chronic diseases, such as cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, account for the majority of illness and deaths in Europe. HEAL thinks that a strong environmental protection agenda is key for chronic disease prevention. Read more… Spotlight on noise and health 25 April is International Noise Awareness Day, a day to flag up the risks of noise to hearing, health and quality of life. With the scientific evidence of health impacts from environmental noise mounting, more awareness on which policy changes can reduce noise exposure is overdue. Decision-makers in the European Parliament and the Council now have the unique opportunity to reduce noise at the source and protect our health. Read more… Putting health at the centre of the EU Environment Action Programme In mid-April, EU Environment ministers will come together to discuss the content of the 7 EU Environment Action Programme, ahead of Council conclusions scheduled for June. Given the urgency of the public health challenges because of environmental degradation, a health & environment priority should again be a key element. Read more… Daily chemical exposure adds to obesity and diabetes risk Scientific evidence provides new urgency for banning certain chemicals to protect health. Hormone disrupting chemicals, also called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), in food and consumer products may be causing obesity and diabetes. Read more … Challenges and solutions in the regulation of chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties The EU is developing an agreed way to identify chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties, for future regulatory action. To ensure these criteria catch harmful EDCs and enable swift reduction of exposures to protect public health, HEAL advocates that important scientific studies be used and that chemicals are not excused on the basis of a misleading indicator of risk. Find out more here… HEAL speaks at French Senate on pesticides and health Lisette van Vliet, HEAL’s Toxics Policy Advisor addressed a well-attended congress on pesticides and health at the Palais du Luxembourg, Paris (Senate building) organised by Generations Futures on 23 March 2012. It was entitled Pesticides and health : Which paths forward are possible ? (« Pesticides et santé : Quelles voies d’amélioration possibles ? »). Learn more ... Briefing for policy makers: The health benefits of greenhouse gas reduction policies HEAL has just released a briefing intended for policy makers from both the climate and energy sectors as well as the health sector in Europe. It summarizes the key scientific findings on the health costs and co-benefits of climate policies in industrialized countries from the last years. Learn more and download here… Questions & Answers: Moving Beyond 20% - How reducing greenhouse gas emissions benefits people’s health in the EU The aim of this question and answer review is to explain why health will benefit from higher emission reduction levels. In addition it presents the figures for the health-benefits of individual Member States, and highlights the evidence on why the Commission assessment is likely to be underestimation. Learn more and download here… Act now or face costly consequences, warns OECD Environment and health groups are alarmed by the OECD’s prediction that urban air pollution will be the top environmental cause of mortality worldwide by 2050, ahead even of dirty water and lack of sanitation. The OECD outlook examines past trends and projects future trends if new policies are not introduced to reduce these risks. Learn more here… Events April 10 April - Paris, France: Conference on fertility, phthalates and EDCs 17 April – France : Documentary release of “La mort est dans le pré” May 3 May - Brussels, Belgium: High level Conference on EU Health Programmes: results and future perspectives 14-16 May - Paris, France: Conference on Prenatal Programming and Toxicity (PPTOX) 16-18 May - Madrid, Spain: Congress on Risks for Public Health & the Environment June 6 June - Brussels, Belgium: EPHA Annual Conference 2012 - Restructuring health systems: How to promote health in times of austerity? 13-14 June - Paris, France: ERA-ENVHEALTH final conference Click here to discover a complete overview and additional information on events Take Action Put environmental health in the EU consultation on chronic diseases The European Commission has launched a long awaited consultation on the EU reflection process on chronic diseases. Review their discussion paper and submit input by 15 April. Learn more here… Ensure consultation on future EU environment programme includes heath as a priority The European Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views on the 7th Environmental Action Programme (7th EAP), which will set out priority objectives for EU environmental policy to be pursued up until 2020. Review the consultation and give your input by June 1. Take action here… Publications Chemicals in our food and consumer products – A missing link in the epidemics of obesity and diabetes? Leaflet prepared by CHEM Trust and HEAL and available in several languages A CHEM Trust and HEAL briefing: Regulating chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties Briefing for policy makers: The health benefits of greenhouse gas reduction policies Questions & Answers: Moving Beyond 20% - How reducing greenhouse gas emissions benefits people’s health in the EU Media coverage CHEM Trust’s new report, “Review of the science linking chemical exposures to the human risk of obesity and diabetes” took HEAL into Chemical Watch and Digital Journal in March. Over 120 articles were published spread throughout 15 European and 16 other countries. The report was featured in leading national newspapers in UK, France, Ireland, Spain and Belgium and on national television in Germany. Members' news RES gains official support for ban on dry cleaning chemical The Paris City Council passed a unanimous motion in favour of gradually replacing the use of perchlorethylene by dry cleaners, considered a "probable carcinogen", in favour of "alternative technologies". Alliance for Cancer Prevention responds to “Unpinking cancer” In a BBC radio Woman's Hour feature on the film Pink Ribbons Inc. about corporate sponsorship of breast cancer charities, the Alliance for Cancer Prevention was represented by founder member, Andrew Watterson. He made the case for the environmental causes of cancer and was critical of how little money was invested in prevention. EPHA Statement on the World Water Day 2012: “Access to water and sanitation is a human right, not an ordinary commodity” On the occasion of the World Water Day, EPHA encouraged policy makers and citizens alike to join and sign the first European petition on Water and Sanitation asking for the European Union to help achieve universal access to water and sanitation within and outside the European Union. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine hosts a webinar on Biodiversity, Health & Equity in London on 20 April Professor Carolyn Stephens discusses several strategies that can be adopted to halt biodiversity loss and preserve valuable ecosystems. This seminar explores vital research and policy agenda that might emerge if we work with indigenous and local communities to understand our links to, and our place in, our biodiverse planet. Fundacion Vivo Sano shares contribution to the Pesticide Action Week Every year there are about 220,000 people worldwide who die of the consequences of pesticides. This data from the WHO calls on us to reflect on the risks of these chemicals that are consumed on a daily basis by millions of people. This year, FundaciónVivosano and the Health Defense Organisation contributed and promoted the campaign in Spain. PAN-Europe makes urgent request for crop rotation PAN Europe says EU Commission’s health and consumers department has caved in to farmers and industry lobby request when crop rotation would have been a much better option. This current decision is likely to lead to a massive increase in pesticide use unless the simple agronomic practice of crop rotation is implemented as a countermeasure. European Child Safety Alliance’s Israel partner receives government endorsement The European Child Safety Alliance´s national partner Beterem has won government endorsement for its Child Safety Action Plan (CSAP). A government resolution passed for “planning a perennial program to promote child safety in Israel”. |
| 09/03/2012 | HEAL Newsflash - February & March 2012 Paving the way for a greater health focus in the 7th EU Environment Action Programme The poor: greatest exposure to dangerous environmental factors Congress: “Pesticides and Health: Options for improvements?” Commission’s analysis provides case for stronger EU climate action Report paves way for ban on "gender bender" hormone-disrupting chemicals WHO: European Ministerial Board sets Rio +20 as a priority Child exposure to PFCs associated with reduced immune response Paving the way for a greater health focus in the 7th EU Environment Action Programme Parliamentarians of the EP’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety have underlined that the 7th EU Environment Action Programme should contain specific goals to reduce health impacts from pollution by 2020. MEPs are also worried about emerging health threats from nanomaterials, chemicals mixtures and endocrine disruptors, and demand specific action. Learn more… WHO: European Ministerial Board sets Rio +20 as a priority Meeting for the second time, the European Environment and Health Ministerial Board set out its priorities for 2012, including plans to develop a common statement linking health to sustainable development for the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Learn more… WHO European Centre for Environment and Health expands Plans for the expanded work of the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health (ECEH) in Bonn include broadening its scope around four areas: exposure to key environmental risks (air, noise, chemicals, radiation, inadequate working conditions, and housing); health intelligence and forecasting; climate change and sustainable development; and, water and sanitation. Learn more… The poor: greatest exposure to dangerous environmental factors In a time of financial constraints and broadening socio-demographic inequalities, a unique area of ECEH’s work is to offer countries new evidence and policy options to tackle the unequal distribution of environmental health risks. Learn more… Landmark ruling on pesticides and farmers' health Générations Futures released a press release after the victory in an important legal challenge in relation to pesticides in France. In their work to help farmers suffering from illness, GF assists an association of those suffering from the effects of exposure to pesticides, which HEAL also supports. Learn more… Congress: “Pesticides and Health: Options for improvements?” As part of the Pesticides Action Week a conference on pesticides and health will be held in Paris, France. It aims to bring the voice of health-affected groups to the debate in an event that will hear about health risks, the alternatives to pesticides, and the necessary political action. It is organized by Générations Futures, and co-sponsored by several organisations, including the Phyto-Victimes network and HEAL. Learn more… HEAL backs 10 guiding principles and call to tackle an invisible killer HEAL supports European lung experts’ recommendations for stronger EU air quality legislation and calls on EU and national leaders to respond to this public health threat by also adopting more ambitious climate policies. The 10 guiding principles of the European Respiratory Society are relevant not only for air quality but also for climate policy. Learn more… Commission’s analysis provides case for stronger EU climate action The European Commission has released a new paper that looks at the costs and benefits of greater climate action. It shows that moving from the current 2020 target of a 20% cut in emissions to a 30% cut is cheaper than expected and that massive fuel savings, huge health benefits and many new jobs are expected. Learn more… Air Quality: EU leadership for pollution reduction needed HEAL and other organisations urge European leaders to take all necessary steps towards an ambitious revision of the Gothenburg Protocol on air pollution, which will have major implications for the future of EU air quality. As negotiations on the protocol draw to an end, the EU should go ahead on ambitious reduction commitments. For a high ambition level, the benefits would outweigh the costs 55 times. Learn more… EU Environment ministers urged to phase out dental amalgam Four EU-wide public interest organisations and networks have written a letter to all 27 EU Environment Ministers to urge the phase out of dental amalgam use both at EU and at global levels. The letter notes that ultimately, society pays for the uncontrolled releases of dental mercury in pollution control, loss of common resources, and the health effects from mercury contamination. Learn more... Report paves way for ban on "gender bender" hormone-disrupting chemicals The European Commission has released a major report on the science of defining and identifying Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). This report provides the way forward for taking action to reduce exposure through the various EU laws. Learn more... Child exposure to PFCs associated with reduced immune response A new study demonstrates that elevated exposures to PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) in children make their immune system more sluggish and less effective to fight infection therefore rendering routine immunizations (tetanus and diphtheria) less effective at a young age. The study also suggested that exposure to PFCs, before and after birth, may lower a child’s ability to make disease-fighting antibodies later in life. Learn more... Events March 10 March - Brussels, Belgium: Screening of Notre Poison Quotidien by Marie Monique Robin 14-15 March - Copenhagen, Denmark: Conference on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance - Time for Joint Action 20-30 March - Europe-wide: Pesticide Action Week 23-24 March - Paris, France: Congress on “Pesticides and Health: Options for improvements?” 26-29 March - London, UK: Planet under Pressure 29 March - Paris, France: Sustainable development in health - Investing today to save tomorrow April 11-13 April - Taipei, Taiwan: 20th International Conference on Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services (HPH) 24-26 April - London, UK: Conference on early exposure of childhood cancer Take Action Get involved in building a pesticide free future! Anyone who rejects the idea that intensive pesticide use is inevitable can join the 7th annual Pesticide Action Week. Why not create your own event or register for the two-day conference (see next article) or join one of the events organized in your home country to support the campaign? Learn more… Media Coverage The European Voice, an influential and leading source for EU news and affairs, featured an editorial about the co-benefits for health of strong climate action on 2 February 2012. “Cut emissions, boost health” was written by Prof Hugh Montgomery, who has been an important voice for the health community not only in Europe but in the international climate talks these past two years. ENDS Europe Daily covered the launch of the European Commission report on the assessment of endocrine disruptors on 21 February 2012, including a link to the HEAL press release, and the joint letter from Green 10, a group to which HEAL is a member, on 1 March 2012 titled NGOs ask EU leaders for strong Gothenburg protocol. See full media coverage. Members' News CIEH issues recommendations on fracking The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) newly-created policy position on fracking includes: a policy statement and a briefing paper. The policy position was prompted by the seminar HEAL organised immediately after last year's Annual General Assembly in November 2011. Learn more… Générations Futures bring political attention to “Phyto-Victimes” This year at the Paris International Agricultural Show a group of farmers, who are victims of pesticides, demonstrated to denounce the current problems of farming with pesticides and to call for action. For the first time, they stood up to contradict statements made by industry that suggest that pesticides are not poisonous. Learn more… French health & environment question EFSA BPA decision A new report, "Conflicts on the menu", questions EFSA's reliance on industry data and highlights conflicts of interests with industry-linked scientists. It was prepared by Corporate Europe Observatory on EFSA’s 10th Anniversary with support from HEAL members, Reseau Environnement Santé (RES) and Générations Futures (GF). Learn more… AWHHE research reveals pesticide contamination in Armenia Since 2011, research by the Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE), a HEAL member, and the Czech Arnika Association have found that samples taken from areas near warehouses where expired pesticides were previously stored contain DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and other concentrations of chemical pesticides, which exceed by several times the marginal permissible amount. Learn more… Perchloroethylene called a carcinogen in the city The World Day against cancer was held on 4 February and gave the opportunity for HEAL members, Reseau Environnement Santé (RES) and Générations Futures (GF) to draw attention to how perchloroethylene, a toxic solvent used in dry cleaning, which has been banned in other countries due to being linked with causing cancer, is still being used in Europe. Learn more… C2DS raises alarm about nano forms of titanium dioxide The use of nanomaterials is rapidly increasing, both in industrial applications and in consumer products, even though their health and environmental effects are unknown, say C2DS. Nano forms of titanium dioxide have decontaminating qualities and are used in personal care products pharmaceuticals, food-processing, building products and the hospital sector. Learn more… WECF studies toxicity in children’s toys Women in Europe for a Common Future (ECF) is a founding member of the Safe Toys Coalition and aims to protect children’s health by striving for a world free of toxic and unsafe toys. On 25 January, they held a press conference at the European Parliament calling for toxic-free toys in the EU as well as for individuals to come and bring toys for testing. Learn more… EFA Call to Action on Respiratory Allergies As part of its Allergy Project, the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Association (EFA) has launched the EFA Book on Respiratory Allergies at the European Parliament, which includes a Call to Action. Learn more… Fundacion Vivo Sano announces Congress on Risks for Public Health & the Environment The Health Defense Organization in co-operation with HEAL member Fundacion Vivo Sano and others are organising an international Conference on Risks for Public Health and the Environment, which will be held 16-18 May in Madrid, with the participation of international experts, NGOs, international organisations and policy makers. Learn more… |
| 01/02/2012 | HEAL Newsflash - January 2012 Opportunities for health & environment under Danish EU presidency EU biocides law considered a “standstill” by NGOs HEAL signs onto joint statement about mercury-contaminated sites Cutting emissions, boosts health, says UK doctor: Special feature in the European Voice - View details here New HEAL Position open: Climate and Air Quality Policy Officer New HEAL Call for tender: Consultant for EU chemicals campaign View all details here Opportunities for health & environment under Danish EU presidency HEAL welcomes the health and environment priorities set to be addressed by Denmark in their presidency of the EU for the first half of 2012. All are exciting policy opportunities for health and environment. Learn more... Proposal for new EU Health programme could strengthen environmental prevention opportunities The Commission proposal for the EU Health programme 2014-2020 underlines that a healthy population is key for Europe’s economic growth and prosperity. However, the current proposal misses out on fostering opportunities for health through environmental protection, especially for reducing chronic diseases and for promoting climate measures which produce the greatest gains for public health. Learn more... How fracking threatens public health The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has called for a study of the public health effects of fracturing of shale rock for natural gas, commonly known as fracking. HEAL strongly supports the call having already been long coordinating advocacy efforts on fracking and health at the European level. Learn more... EU biocides law considered a “standstill” by NGOs The new EU biocides regulation adopted at the European Parliament’s plenary vote on Biocide Regulation on 19 January 2012 sounds ambitious but represents a standstill for health and environmental protection according to HEAL and other health and environment groups. Learn more... Pesticides Alternatives Week: phasing out the use of hazardous pesticides Pesticides Alternatives Week is coming up - 20 to 30 March - with many opportunities to raise awareness on reducing the use of pesticides and promoting non-chemical alternatives. HEAL is especially concerned about the continued use and potential re-authorisation of Metam, a soil fumigant. Learn more... Commission’s Staff Working Paper is good news for climate, health and the economy The long awaited Commission impact assessment of going beyond 20% emission reductions is now out. HEAL’s reaction is that good news on health benefits and savings boosts the case for stronger EU climate target. Learn more... Energy efficiency and indoor air quality: ENVI opinion highlights health concerns With their vote on the proposed EU Energy Efficiency Directive, Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) have underlined the centrality of health concerns for energy efficiency decisions. Health impacts should also be taken into account when deciding on energy efficiency management plans and in energy audits. Learn more... HEAL signs onto joint statement sent to Japanese government about mercury-contaminated sites HEAL has signed on to a joint statement by civil society organisations which calls on the Japanese government to incorporate the lessons learned from Minamata into the Global Mercury Treaty. Minamata community residents and Japanese NGO colleagues are concerned about how the mercury treaty negotiation will address contaminated sites, particularly because many of the Minamata remediation and compensation issues have not yet been resolved. Learn more... Events • Indoor air quality: Radon Prevention and Remediation Workshop - 23 February • Pesticide Action Week - 20 to 30 March • Climate Change and Health Effects Workshop - 1 to 2 March • European Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Coalition Launch - 21 March Take Action • Support a Strong Mercury Treaty The International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), a global network working towards the elimination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), recently asked for sign-ons to a civil society organizations joint statement calling for stronger mercury treaty provisions. Learn more... • Urge Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli to propose a full ban of the pesticide metam Join HEAL, PAN-Europe and others who are concerned about the health and environment effects of the pesticide metam and contact EU Commissioner John Dalli in support of a full ban on metam, a pesticide that is listed as an endocrine disruptor. Learn more... Media coverage EuroNews, the EU’s multi-language television station, broadcast an interview with Lisette van Vliet, HEAL Toxics Policy Advisor on health and fracking in an item reviewing the Polish presidency. See all media coverage. Members' News • RES film recommendation: “The nine months that made you” In a 4 part series, the film “The nine months that made you” by Horizon explores the secrets of what makes a long, healthy and happy life. Learn more... • PAN Europe reports on EFSA A new Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe report reveals that 10 out of 13 members of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) working group on TTC (Threshold of Toxicological Concern, a method to decide on the health impacts of chemicals), have a conflict of interest. Learn more... • Natural England provides joint methodology on health economic assessment tools for walking and for cycling The World Health Organization (WHO) just released a booklet supplying tools and guidance for facilitating the methodology of economic assessment of transport infrastructure and policies. One of HEAL’s Executive Committee Members, Dave Stone of Natural England, was a co-author. Learn more... • WECF warns women and children at greater risk of leukaemia if in vicinity of nuclear power plants In the light of findings from the International Journal on Cancer published this January 2012 Sacha Gabizon, international director of Women in Europe for a Common Network (WECF), is calling for an immediate action to protect the population. Learn more... • EPHA Briefing on EU Policies and their Impact on Children’s Health HEAL member The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) has just produced a Briefing on Children’s Health that aims to provide an overview of this important policy where actions urgently need to be taken to deal with the social determinants of health inequalities in European societies. Learn more... |
| 15/12/2011 | HEAL Newsflash - December 2011 ::Environment & health:: New EU vehicle noise standards major health opportunity Environment and health groups are urging the EU to take bolder action on cutting down noise levels from cars, vans, buses and lorries. After the 20 year wait for new standards, the EU Parliament and Council should now show more ambition than the EU Commission proposal to reduce noise at source. Learn more... ::Chemicals:: RES and HEAL on EFSA Bisphenol A Statement On December 1, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a statement on bisphenol A (BPA) in response to reports from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES). The ANSES reports gave a different assessment of the hazard posed by exposure to BPA, particularly at low levels, concluding it poses a risk for human health. Learn more... ::Pesticides:: PAN Europe: new report on derogation for soil fumigation: Metam HEAL member Pesticide Action Network Europe has just published a report on the “essential use” of the soil fumigant Metam Sodium. After a first report which showed that derogations and loopholes are standard in EU pesticides policy, making it possible for EU Member States to continue to use pesticides which have been banned, the new report highlights this practice for Metam and shows the intransparent decision-making on this. Learn more... ::Climate change:: Durban climate outcomes and health gains The COP17 climate change negotiations brought together an unprecedented global health coalition and a Durban Climate and Health Declaration was adopted in a parallel Climate and Health Summit that sent a resounding message to UNFCCC negotiators. Learn more... Health mobilisation in Durban The largest number ever of health delegations attended the international climate talks in Durban. Over 200 health groups attended the dozens of side-events. More than 250 delegates from 40 countries attended the Global Climate and Health Summit, where the establishment of a global climate and health coalition was proposed. Learn more... Highlights from Durban Here’s an opportunity to watch inspiring speakers from the UNFCCC COP17 in Durban, see a few photos, and read some of the best quotes given from health experts. Learn more... ::Air quality:: Energy Efficiency and health concerns Energy Efficiency is high on the EU agenda with the European Parliament and the EU Member States currently discussing a legislative proposal. HEAL urges MEPs to include health concerns in their upcoming vote especially to ensure good indoor air quality in the process of making buildings more energy efficient. Learn more... Air pollution from ships HEAL joined many environment and trade organisations in a call to MEPs for stricter standards for the sulphur content of marine fuels. The health and environment impacts of air pollution from ships are a major worry in Europe, and MEPs have a huge opportunity to prevent further ill-health in their vote in early 2012. Learn more... ::Mercury:: Please see our Mercury section on our website. Other issues Please see our Other issues section on our website. Events 11 January 2012 – Brussels, Belgium: Roundtable discussion on Noise protection in Europe - Is there a need for common European limits? 14-15 March 2012 – Copenhagen, Denmark: Conference on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance - Time for Joint Action 20-30 March 2012 – Europe-wide: Pesticide Action Week 24-26 April 2012 – London, UK: Conference on early exposure of childhood cancer 14-16 May 2012 – Paris, France: Conference on Prenatal Programming and Toxicity (PPTOX) 20-22 June 2012 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20 Take Action Call on European Parliament to ensure buildings are both healthy and energy efficient Contact your Member of the European Parliament to urge them to include health concerns in their upcoming vote on the EU energy efficiency directive, in order to make buildings both energy efficient and health-friendly. Take action... Submit comments to scientific opinion on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) The European Commission has just opened a public consultation as part of an upcoming scientific opinion by the EU Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks SCENIHR on the potential health effects of exposure to EMF. Interested parties are invited to submit comments and relevant scientific evidence by 27 January 2012. Take action... Extended Call for Case Studies in Good Practice for Environmental Health of Children & Youth WECF together with HEAL are working to build examples of Good Practices on youth and children’s involvement in environment and health issues, following a project by UNEP in cooperation with other international organisations involved in the Health & Environment policy process. The due date for case study submissions is now 15 December. Take action... Sign up to Durban Climate and Health Declaration and Durban Global Climate and Health Call to Action A Declaration and “Call to Action” were presented at the first-ever Global Climate and Health Summit, which took place in Durban during the COP17. It's already been signed by more than 30 major health groups. Add your organisation. Take action... Endorse BMJ Climate, Security and Health statement, signed by more than 500 medical scientists, doctors and security experts The statement calls on the European Union to unconditionally agree a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically by 30% by 2020, and to prepare further targets towards 2050 which would incentivise the decarbonisation of the economy. Take action... Publications Acting now for a better Health - 30 % Reduction Target for EU Climate Policy (Informational Postcard) For the UNFCCC COP17 HEAL & Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) had on feature at its booth our ’Acting Now’ report on what stronger climate action would do for health via this new Information Postcard. It directs audiences to this joint report and helps provide policy makers with important evidence on the health benefits of mitigating climate change. Learn more... WHO has new training modules for childrens’ environment and health The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides training packages for health care providers – paediatricians, family doctors, nurses, primary and other health care workers intended to improve the capacity to diagnose, prevent and manage childhood diseases linked to the environment. A DVD on “Interventions for Healthy Environments” is available. Learn more... New Toxic Chemicals resource features HEAL’s tools The US Environmental Health Policy Institute which operates under the Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) recently highlighted some key tools and resources for health professionals and others concerned about the health effects of industrial chemicals. Among them were HEAL’s list of databases on chemicals and health, as well as information on chemicals policy in Europe. The PSR is a non-profit organization which is a medical and public health voice for policies to slow, stop and reverse global warming and toxic degradation of the environment, among other things. Learn more... Media coverage Recognition of the harm to health from BPA by French regulatory body, ANSES prompted articles quoting HEAL in ENDS Europe, EU Food Policy and Chemical Watch in December 2011. We also featured strongly in a review of air quality policy in Euractiv. Finally, Pendo Maro’s excellent animation of a side event organised by HEAL and others in Durban at the COP17 climate talks prompted a full page article in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin the following day. Full media coverage here. Members' News ELF’s lung testing campaign highlights importance of clean air Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) launches "Taste a better world" EFA launches call to action on respiratory allergies INCHES: 3rd International Conference highlights urgency to protect children’s health from environmental threats |
| 10/11/2011 | HEAL Newsflash - November 2011 HIGHLIGHTS Environment & health WHO European environmental health task force targets three international policy dialogues The first meeting of the high level WHO European Environment and Health Task Force (EEHTF) took place in Bled, Slovenia and HEAL provided expertise on chronic disease and environmental prevention, energy options and public health implications, climate and Sustainable Development. Learn more. UN Rio+20 asked to address environmental health HEAL has given input into the preparation process for Rio+20, a conference which will review progress on achieving sustainable development 20 years after the original 1992 Rio de Janeiro conference. The conference will take place in Rio, 4-6 June 2012. There are many reasons why “health” needs to be central to the Rio+20 process and four concrete ways to achieve this. Learn more. Progress on first EU human biomonitoring project The European Union funded COPHES project, which is developing a framework for EU Human Biomonitoring (HBM), is holding a week of activities from 28 November to 2 December. Learn more. Chemicals French national authority report prompts BPA ban in food contact materials Environment and health groups welcome the French National Assembly’s vote to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in all food contact materials from 2014. The decision, which now goes to the French Senate, followed the publication of a report by the French National Agency for Food Safety, Environment and Labour (ANSES). The report stated that low dose exposure to BPA resulted in health effects in sensitive populations. Learn more. HEAL staff interviewed in TV film “Citizens against cancer” Genon Jensen and Lisette van Vliet from HEAL are interviewed as representatives of citizens’ and scientists’ groups in the Swiss television documentary, “Les citoyens contre le cancer - Citizens against cancer, Temps Present, TSR, 2011 (available for viewing online, see below) as a result of HEAL’s work on Environmental Prevention of Cancer during the Paris Appeal Third International Congress. Learn more. Pesticides EU agricultural reform needs to be greener When the European Commission released its new proposal for future of EU farm subsidies and agricultural production, HEAL welcomed certain elements but said it did not go far enough on reducing farming’s dependency on pesticides and other chemicals. Learn more. Climate change Putting health on the climate change agenda HEAL is involved in supporting three initiatives aimed at raising awareness on health and climate change in the lead-up to the Durban climate change talks in November 2011. Learn more. Air quality Ensuring good air quality outdoor and indoor Air pollution in Europe continues to be a massive public health problem, so it is good to see that air quality is receiving increased political attention. HEAL is part of a DG Environment stakeholder group, which has been formed as part of the review process of EU air policy. Learn more. Mercury For updates on mercury see information in the "Member's News" section. Other issues For updates on other issues see information in the "Take Action" section. Events 14-16 November Lodz, Poland: 6th International Conference on Children’s health and the environment 22 November Brussels, Belgium: EFA Respiratory Allergy Book Launch event 28 November - 9 December Durban, South Africa: UN Climate Change Conference - COP 17 Discussions 4 Dec Durban, South Africa: Climate and Health Summit 7-9 December Helsinki, Finland: European Chemicals Agency Member State Committee meeting 12 December Paris, France (Cité Universitaire Internationale): International Symposium "Cancers and Environmental Exposure" Take Action First-ever opportunity to comment on proposed ban of combined phthalates in products The European Chemicals Agency is conducting a public consultation on a proposed ban of certain articles containing a combination of four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP). This consultation is very important as it is the first proposal for a ban under REACH of several chemicals in certain consumer products due to their combined effects. Read more. Sign up to the BMJ Health, Climate and Security statement for urgent action on climate change This far reaching statement was issued at a conference on the health and security implications of climate change in London on 17th October 2011, and signed by leading scientists, doctors and advocacy groups. Add your name to this growing list before the Durban climate negotiations. Sign up here. Submit Case Studies in Good Practice for Environmental Health of Children & Youth WECF together with HEAL are working to build examples of Good Practices on youth and children’s involvement in environment and health issues, following a project by UNEP in cooperation with other international organisations involved in the Health & Environment policy process. Read more and submit examples here. Media coverage Citizens against cancer, Swiss television Shale Gas: A Burning Question, European Parliament Magazine Air quality, interview on European policy TV (EUX) Strong climate legislation prevents chronic disease, interview on Global Campaign for Climate Action Member's News European Child Safety Alliance wins Gastein Award EFA pushes for EU funded Surveillance Network on allergies and asthma Centre for Sustainable Healthcare UK tree planting project to raise awareness in healthcare WECF invitation to take part in testing children toys for dangerous substances RES highlights campaign to ban dental amalgams IEE political action on sustainable health: Nordic cooperation launches “One Health from a Nordic perspective” ARTAC & ISDE run environmental health training for doctors in France Leading pesticide researcher of RES receives prestigious award from ESPE EPHA event: Public health advocacy and capacity in Poland, 12-13 December, Warsaw |
| 19/10/2011 | HEAL Newsflash - September & October 2011 HIGHLIGHTS HEAL Annual General Meeting (AGM) – a success! On 6 and 7 October, HEAL brought together its members in Brussels for the Annual General Assembly 2011. The AGA voted in thirteen new not-for-profit groups as members of our network. This brings our total membership to over 70 international, European and national networks and organisations. Members also adopted key proposals for the future development of the organisation, including a strategic action plan until 2015, and discussed a number of key environment and health topics. Read more - EU Health Commissioner talks "environment" at UN chronic disease summit HEAL welcomed that European Health Commissioner John Dalli highlighted that "underlying economic, social and environmental factors" need to be addressed when tackling chronic diseases. Commissioner Dalli took part in the UN summit on chronic, non-communicable diseases in September 2011, where high-level representatives agreed on a way forward to counter the rise of chronic diseases such as cancer, respiratory diseases, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes. However, the real test will be whether or not the EU takes this on board when it develops future action plans and legislative reforms, and how widely it consults within and outside the health sector. Prior to the meeting, HEAL had addressed an open letter to Commissioner Dalli on the need to include “environment” as the fifth factor in chronic disease causation and joined the call in signing an additional open letter to Ban Ki-Moon and Margret Chan sent by over a hundred NGO and experts worldwide for an inclusion of environmental concerns in the summit’s outcome. Read more - Documentary "Notre Poison quotidien" screening at HEAL The first-ever English language version of the hard-hitting film "Our Daily Poison" by leading investigative journalist Marie-Monique Robin took place at HEAL on 6 October. Some of the issues raised in the film are very topical in Europe, which prompted a lively discussion with the film maker after the screening. One key issue discussed is the need to widen the peer reviewed science for risk assessment beyond Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) studies, which mainly represent industry research. French agency ANSES has recently used studies other than those following GLP in a review of the safety of BPA. The findings have led to an immediate response from French government to ban BPA in all food packaging by 1 January 2014. The bill is supported by French ministers of health and will be voted in the National Assembly on 12 October. Read more - Seminar: Health and Environmental implications of Shale Fracturing for Natural Gas HEAL’s European efforts to raise awareness about the potential harm to health from hydraulic fracturing of shale gas includes the need for a precautionary approach. Last year, the health and environmental implications were prompted by a call from a leading international environmental health scientist, Sandra Steingraber in her speech to the European Parliament together with HEAL. At the HEAL seminar in Brussels on 7 October, Lisette van Vliet gave a presentation on health and fracking. Participants also heard from a European Commission expert and about the experience in France where licenses for fracking are being revoked. Read more - Bringing the health co-benefits message to Poland As part of our efforts to raise awareness on the health benefits of a more ambitious EU GHG reduction target and policy change, Pendo Maro, HEAL/HCWH Senior Climate and Energy advisor, as well as Christina Reinards, Campaigns and Communication Officer, went to Poland for a series of high-level meetings. The groundbreaking report “Acting NOW for better health” published by HEAL and HCWH in 2010 shows that by going to a -30% reduction target for the EU for 2020, health benefits of up to 30,5 billion EUR per year could be reaped because of cleaner air. It is estimated that for Poland the public health benefits could be up to 4 billion EUR per year. For the occasion, the report was translated to Polish and a joint press release on fewer carbon emissions was released. Read more - Bedroom dust used to urge EU to act more urgently on REACH An analysis of dust samples is being used to urge faster action on EDCs in REACH. The dust has been vacuumed up from underneath beds around the world in a project carried out by ChemSec and other NGOs. The aim is to prompt the European Commission and every EU member state to speed up the process and nominate EDCs to the REACH Candidate List. They also want companies to take the initiative to phase out EDCs in their products before these chemicals are decided upon in REACH. HEAL Toxics Policy Advisor, Lisette van Vliet, put her vacuum cleaner to work under a bed in Belgium where a couple and their new baby live. Read more - EP’s ENVI Committee gives push for health & environment protection for new EU biocides law On 4 October, the EP’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted its recommendations for the 2nd reading of the new EU biocides law. The vote was crucial, as it forms the basis for negotiations of the European Parliament with EU Member States in the Council (which will start mid October). HEAL together with other health & environment groups sent joint NGO recommendations for EP ENVI considerations and spoke to many MEPs before the vote about the need to strengthen the draft law for better health and environment protection. Read more - ISEE 2011: science to policy on environmental health research The 23rd International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) Conference was held 13-16 September in Barcelona and brought together over a thousand researchers, health experts and stakeholders to discuss the latest evidence on health impacts of environmental pollution. HEAL’s Toxics Policy Advisor, Lisette van Vliet gave a presentation on “The role of non-governmental organizations in promoting occupational and environmental carcinogen regulation” within the symposium on Scientific Inference and Public Policy which was chaired by Richard Clapp, Boston University School of Public Health, USA. Read more - HEAL IN THE MEDIA The European media strongly featured our Open Letter to Commissioner Dalli prior to the UN summit on non-communicable diseases, including a special health issue of the European Parliament magazine (see page 58), ENDS Europe environmental news service (subscription only), and Chemical Watch news service on REACH. HEAL was also quoted on the BBC website discussing “toxic” pesticidesuse in London transport with Dichlobenil and how this has been assessed for effects on human health and the environment by the European Union. Le Monde featured HEAL in an article on chemicals in food titled La consommation alimentaire des Français sans risque majeur (subscription only). Additionally, ENDS Europe highlighted our work on studying the effects of dust as endocrine disruptors, and in a special “health” issue of the Public Service journal on European Science and Technology, an article discussed how HEAL “helps to promote cleaner air in Europe, especially to protect the health of vulnerable groups such as children.” See HEAL's full media coverage here. - MEMBER & PARTNER NEWS Bisphenol A: French efforts should serve Europe! HEAL member RES welcomes the almost unanimous vote [1] of MPs to ban bisphenol A in food contact materials. This should significantly reduce our daily exposure to this endocrine disruptor [2] and, thus, help reduce the poisoning of the fetus via maternal contamination. We have now increasing evidence to support that exposure during pregnancy may cause serious health effects in childhood and in adulthood (cancer, diabetes, obesity, reproductive disorders and behavior). Read more - Ribbon of Hope / Ruban de l’Espoir 2011 The Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) and Appel de la Jeunesse (A2J) participated in the "Ruban de l’Espoir 2011" in its run for breast cancer in the woods of Vincennes. The money raised will fund research on "personalized treatment of breast cancer." More info at http://www.odyssea-paris.com/. Related to the event, at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris a presentation was given by André Cicolella, president of RES, on "breast cancer and environmental factors" as well as various workshops by Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) including one on "Nesting: Protect the health of your child by creating a healthy indoor environment". More details at http://fbl-paris.org/nl/actualites/details/ruban-de-l-espoir.6.html - AIM Invitation - International Conference on "Development of healthcare systems and challenges for long-term care: the mutual benefit societies' point of view,” 14 Nov - Paris The year 2012 will be "the European Year on active and healthy ageing". Concerned to respond to the new needs of their members in terms of counseling, guidance and appropriate coverage, mutual benefit societies in Europe are acknowledged players in the sector of long-term care. To highlight their commitment in this field, the AIM has decided to devote its international Conference to "Development of healthcare systems and challenges for long-term care: the mutual benefit societies' point of view". Register before 15 October 2011 at http://www.aim-mutual.org.http://www.aim-mutual.org. - Sandra Steingraber Wins Heinz Award Dr Sandra Steingraber is a renowned scientist and environmental health advocate with whom HEAL has worked with over the past years on many different issues. She first highlighted her concerns about fracking last December in the context of our European Cancer and Environment week in the Parliament, and mentioned fracking as the next big environmental health threat. Her words, evidence and visionary foresight have inspired HEAL to mobilize around this issue over the past year. We are very pleased to hear that she has been named recipient of the prestigious Heinz Award and that her response on how she intends to use her cash award is to fight fracking in New York. Learn more at http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/newsfrom187/entry/6467/ - CHE pamphlet on obesogens A new brochure by the US Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) helps uncover how “obesogens” are chemicals that can promote weight gain. It explains some pharmaceutical drugs affect the body’s hormone system and can influence weight and metabolism. Furthermore, the potential for these drugs to affect our bodies may be greatest when exposure occurs during sensitive periods of development, such as in the womb or in early life. HEAL is the European partner of CHE and in regular exchange with CHE members on this and other issues. Download brochure here. - Walk for Life: Malta raises Breast Cancer Awareness The Action For Breast Cancer Foundation celebrated car free day in Malta this year with our annual Walk For Life on 18/9/2011. The walk was 8 km and participants were encouraged to walk for someone they knew who has cancer, by pinning a paper with their name on their T-shirts. The event attracted many people who walked, and some even ran, and finished with a light snack and drink from a sponsor. Learn more at: http://actionforbreastcancer.com/event-registration/?regevent_action=register&event_id=3 - IPEN Co-Chair Olga Speranskaya interviewed on Voice of Russia In a recent interview with the Co-Chair of the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), Olga Speranskaya, who also represents HEAL member Eco Accord, a discussion was held around how she became involved with the issue of chemical safety and hotspots in the EECCA region, what POPs are, and how NGOs work to address contaminated sites, etc. Hear the interview at: http://english.ruvr.ru/radio_broadcast/47136388/53535066.html - IDEA takes HEAL to Durban and Kenya Juliet Duff, Irish Doctors Environmental Association - IDEA will represent HEAL at the climate change talks in Durban later this year (COP 17, 28 November - 9 December 2011). We've published Juliet’s personal tribute to Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan tree-planting ecologist who died of cancer on 25 September 2011. Juliet links the combat of Wangari to that of Teresa Treacy, an Irish farmer who is currently in prison in Ireland as a result of her struggle to protect trees. Read more - EVENTS 23 Oct - Paris - France: Greenpride organized by Appel de la jeunesse Discover the impact of the environment on your quality of life and the many links between environmental issues and your health through a series of lectures. The first ever Green Pride will take place on Sunday 23 October in Paris, organized by HEAL member Appel de la Jeunesse. HEAL will present some of its latest publications at a stand and take part in the walk for environment and health protection. Get engaged by participating in a parade and concert to celebrate Greenpride! View more details at www.greenpride.me. - 27-28 Oct, Bled – Slovenia: First meeting of the newly established, WHO European Environment and Health Task Force (EEHTF) Following the decision at the Parma ministerial conference for the future of the WHO European Environment and Health process, the first meeting of the newly established Environment and Health Task Force will take place later this month. The agenda of the first EEHTF meeting has been prepared by the WHO secretariat following the direction of the European Environment and Health Ministerial Board. The meeting will bring together representatives from all 53 countries involved in the Pan European environment and health process as well as other stakeholder groups from youth, environment, trace unions, industry (chemicals) and UNEP, UNECE. HEAL is a full member of the EEHTF representing the health sector and provide expertise and experience from our members on the issues discussed including the implementation of the Parma conference commitments. More details here. - 31 Oct, Christiansborg - Denmark: Sustainable health – ”One Health from a Nordic perspective” Fringe event during the Nordic Council's Session 2011 where professor Björn Olsen, who represents the Infection Ecology and Epidemiology Network (IEE), a new HEAL member , will be speaking. The aim is to discuss the need for doctors and veterinary surgeons to work together to improve disease control. More details here. - 4 Dec, Durban – South Africa Climate and Health Summit The first Global Climate and Health Summit is to take place parallel to the COP 17 climate negotiations. It aims to bring together key health sector actors to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equitybetween and within nations. HEAL is one of the partners for the conference. Register or learn more here. - PUBLICATIONS HEAL Annual Review 2010: Promoting environmental policy that contributes to health HEAL has just published its latest annual report which outlines the accomplishments from 2010 on our health and environment priorities. View the report here. Now in Polish: Acting NOW for better health – A 30% Reduction Target for EU Climate Policy Thanks to the Climate Coalition for the Polish Ecological Club Mazovian Branch, HEAL’s "Acting NOW for better health" report is now available in Polish. View publication in English and Polish here. |
| 13/07/2011 | HEAL Newsflash - Summer 2011 HIGHLIGHTS Climate change: Missed opportunities to increase the EU’s commitment Environment and health groups have been left disappointed by failure of EU member states and the European Parliament (EP) to support a move beyond a 20% EU GHG emissions reduction target to start reaping the health benefits for Europeans. Prior to all votes, HEAL and its members and medical professionals in many EU countries wrote letters to the Environment Ministers and MEPs urging them to vote in support of an unconditional move to 30% less greenhouse gases by 2020. The letters highlighted the radical improvements to public health and saving to healthcare budgets from a 30% emissions reduction target. HEAL used the findings from our 2010 report, "Acting Now for Better Health: a 30% reduction target for EU climate policy", have been used by many policy makers. Learn more... UNFCCC Climate Change negotiations: doctors highlight health implications The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) was represented by Professor Hugh Montgomery, co-founder of the UK Climate & Health Council, at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) UN Climate Change Conference held this June in Bonn, Germany. Of the conclusions made on the global climate change talks, Hugh wrote in his blog “It is absolutely clear that many delegates have somehow forgotten the urgency they profess to feel." Learn more... Groups call for public research to benefit society, not big business The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has joined other public interest groups calling for social, political, economic and environmental issues to be properly addressed in future EU research and innovation (R&I) funding, following the European Commission Green Paper “Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation funding”. An Open Letter has been sent to the European Commission, European Parliament and national governments, supported by many of HEAL’s members and partners. Learn more... Emerging public debate on health and environment impacts of fracking In Europe, the public debate on fracturing shale gas and oil is finally gaining momentum, following the many concerns voiced from the health and environment community about the implications of this new technology. A highly influential member of the European Parliament, MEP Jo Leinen, has just proposed to introduce an EU law on energy quality to weigh the environmental impact of how the fuel is obtained, e.g. oil from tar sands or shale gas. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is very pleased to hear of this proposal to tackle shale gas and oil fracturing. HEAL has been one of the first organisations to flag up the multi-faceted health & environment problems of fracturing in Europe, because of the concerns on its impact on air and water quality and the toxic chemicals involved, as well as the climate change implications. Learn more... EU runs public consultation on Toxicity and Assessment of Chemical Mixtures HEAL will be responding to the EU public consultation on the preliminary opinion concerning Toxicity and Assessment of Chemical Mixtures, and encourages CHE science partners to widely disseminate this opportunity to provide input into how the EU will ensure that its chemicals' legislation takes proper account of the latest scientific information on mixture toxicity. The deadline to submit comments is 9 September 2011. Learn more... Health insurance group takes up environmental health The International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) represents an important voice in discussions on the social economy and universal access to health care, including access to health information. In a strategic partnership AIM will now be working with HEAL to improve prevention of chronic diseases caused, or facilitated, by environmental factors. This stems from their commitment to promoting the understanding and prevention of environmental effects on public health and to facilitating mutual benefit groups’ participation in policies concerning environmental health. Learn more... Indoor air pollution and health in Europe remains on the agenda HEAL is one of the stakeholder representatives in the European Commission Directorate General for Health and Consumer Policy (DG SANCO) led indoor air quality expert group. The group shares best practice and information on indoor air quality and advises and provides opinion on policy actions to reduce indoor air pollution. Many HEAL members and other organisations are currently involved in the SINPHONIE project on indoor pollution and health impacts in schools. Over the next months, 36 institutions from 25 countries will carry out measuring and health assessment in schools with a view to defining recommendations on how to reduce pollution in the school environment. As a member of SINPHONIE’s advisory committee, HEAL will provide guidance on how to best integrate these scientific findings into EU policy. Learn more... HEAL IN THE MEDIA HEAL's new partnership with the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) was featured in Chemical Watch and an interview with HEAL’s Deputy Director, Anne Stauffer, on indoor air quality appeared in Health Forum titled Un esprit sain dans une maison saine (on page 16), a magazine by the Belgian mutual insurance benefits society. View interview here. HEAL was also prominently featured in an highlight on air quality in the Public Services Review: European Science & Technology - Issue 11 titled Cleaning the air (see page 334). Our Executive Director, Genon Jensen and Deputy Director, Anne Stauffer, were quoted saying “The EU’s upcoming review of air quality offers an opportunity to save lives and money.” HEAL and others in the health community in Europe intend to make sure that full use is made of existing studies to prompt early, ambitious legislative proposals are made on air pollution. See additional HEAL coverage here. MEMBERS’ NEWS Health impacts of nanotechnology: opportunities and risks On 7 and 8 May HEAL member EUROPAEM, the European Academy for Environmental Medicine held its international congress on health impacts of nanotechnology – opportunities and risks. Over 80 participants gathered – environmental health practioners, patients and experts to hear a wide range of presentations including the President of the German government’s nano commission, the WHO assessment of nanotechnology and researchers working on using nanotechnology in medicinal diagnosis and treatment. Learn more... Policy Debate: public health and the Common Agricultural Policy On June 16th 2011, European Public Health and Agriculture Consortium (EPHAC), with support from HEAL member European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), held a policy debate on the role of public health in the Common Agricultural Policy. The event was held in the European Parliament and hosted by Oana Elena Antonescu MEP, with participation of EU Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Ciolos, EU Commissioner for Health John Dalli, and WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab. Learn more... Mediator: Discussing the assessment and control of medicines in France André Cicolella of Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) and a member of HEAL’s executive committee took part in a discussion on the assessment and control of medicines with the French Committee on Social Affairs and Joint Mission for Mediator Information. Learn more... Stop + go: Phase out nuclear, promote renewables The platform and petition in support of renewable energy that HEAL member Inter Environnement Wallonie has started, together with Greenpeace Belgium, Bond Beter Leefmilieu and WWF Belgium has received overwhelming support from organizations and individuals. With Stop+go, organizations and individuals can easily voice their support for the call to enforce Belgian law and close down the three oldest reactors by 2015. Learn more... French Parliament calls for urgent evaluation of aspartame Le quotidian du medecin recently highlighted that 3 MPs are calling for the immediate re-evaluation of aspartame. Two HEAL members, Réseau environnement santé (RES) and Générations futures, along with these MPs have organised a joint press conference with French National Assembly members to highlight their concerns over how aspartame is regulated. Learn more... WECF France publish guide for expectant mothers Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) in France have just published a new guide (in French) on health, cosmetics, pregancy and hazardous substances. It explains how how to choose cosmetics in terms of which ones are suitable for a pregnant woman that won’t harm the health of her child. Download the guide at www.projetnesting.fr. Learn more... EVENTS Plenary meeting of European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects – ESCAPE (12-13 Sept 2011 – Barcelona, Spain) HEAL is on the advisory board of this EU funded project. The ESCAPE meeting will precede the ISEE conference (detailed below). Agenda to be provided soon. Registration info at www.escapeproject.eu/rsc/pdf/news/ESCAPE_newsletter-09.pdf 23rd Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology - ISEE (13-16 Sept 2011 – Barcelona, Spain) Specific themes to be discussed in the conference include Sustainable transport and health: impact of transport on health and approaches to reduce health impacts, Impact of climate change: from water scarcity to Saharan dust episodes, Early exposure - later life: in utero and early life exposures and effects in later life, and New methods and technologies. HEAL will be participating in a symposium on cancer and chemicals. See conference website at www.isee2011.org The Health and Security Perspectives of Climate Change - How to secure our future wellbeing (17 Oct 2011 - London, UK) This conference will bring together high level climate, health and security specialists to discuss joined up strategies and policies for addressing this threat in the run up to the Durban Climate negotiations in December. HEAL is one of the partners for the conference. View programme and register for the conference at http://climatechange.bmj.com. 6th International Conference on Children's health and the environment (14-16 Nov 2011 - Lodz, Poland) Organized by HEAL member International Network on Children’s Health Environment and Safety (INCHES) and WHO Regional Office in Poland, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) plus the Polish-Norwegian Research Programme. HEAL is also on the organizing committee. View programme and register at www.cehn.org/files/INCHES_Lodz_Poland.pdf PUBLICATIONS We would like to remind you of some publications we launched earlier this year: Noise - Quiet please: Better health through strong EU regulation of road and rail traffic noise (Brochure) Pesticides - Six steps to pesticide reduction: A HEAL toolkit for communities and individuals wishing to reduce local pesticide use (Guide) Cancer - Resources on cancer and the environment - compiled by HEAL (Document) To view all of HEAL’s publications please visit: www.env-health.org/spip.php?rubrique4 Spread the news! Find our news helpful and want to help us spread our news? Follow us on Twitter and become a friend on Facebook for up-to-the-minute news, events and favourites. |
| 07/05/2011 | HEAL Newsflash - May 2011 Experts gather to debate the future of EU noise policies On Wednesday 25th May European and national policy makers, scientists, health specialists and non-governmental groups met to discuss the future of EU noise policies. The well attended conference, organised by HEAL, Transport and Environment (T&E), and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), provided a platform to discuss the latest science on health impacts of environmental noise, especially from road traffic, and how to turn it into more protective policy initiatives. Read more... New publication - Quiet Please: Better health through less road and rail traffic noise The health impacts of urban road and rail noise feature in a new brochure by HEAL and Transport and Environment (T&E). Quiet please - better health through strong EU regulation of road and rail traffic noise, draws on the latest scientific evidence and provides solutions that can give us all quieter lives, and improve our health. Read more... European Parliament’s ENVI Committee climate vote a huge success for health HEAL welcomes the vote by the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) of the European Parliament in support of a 30% EU reduction target in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The Parliamentary report clearly highlights the health benefits and health savings from moving to a higher 30% target, and references the work done on cost scenarios by HEAL and its partner. In 2010 our groundbreaking report, Acting NOW for better health, showed the huge public health benefits of moving to a 30% GHG emissions reduction target. These include reductions in premature death and illness, fewer working days lost and lower healthcare costs. The next step will be the European Parliament’s plenary vote on 23 June and the discussion on EU climate target by EU Heads of State (the European Council) on the 24 June. Read more… Hormone disrupting chemicals targeted to prevent chronic disease in EU HEAL, alongside other non-governmental organisations have called on the European Union to rapidly review 22 endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals (EDCs) within the REACH legislation because of their effects on health. These chemicals are part of a new SIN (‘Substitute it now’) List -2.0 compiled by the International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) and supported by 11 independent, non-governmental organisations. Read more... Calling for safe regulation of hormone disrupting chemicals HEAL, and other environment and health groups and trade unions, have called on the European Union to ensure the effective regulation of chemicals that damage the hormone (or endocrine) system to protect health and the environment. Evidence of the harmful effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on health, and especially of pre-natal effects as a result of parental exposure, is growing rapidly. Reducing exposure is increasingly seen as a key tool for preventing cancer and other chronic disease. Specifically, the groups call for a strategy to identify EDCs and to speed up control of EDCs to reduce exposure. Read more… First meeting of the WHO Europe Environment and Health Ministerial Board The 4th -5th May saw the first meeting of the new high-level E&H Ministerial Board (EHMB) in Paris, hosted by the French ministry of health. The board forms part of the WHO European Environment and Health process and the push to reduce the adverse health impact of environmental threats in Europe to give the process higher political profile. Read more... HEAL IN THE MEDIA AFP, France's leading news agency covered the ARTAC congress in Paris on 13 April and included a quote from Genon Jensen on the slowness of political action in reducing human exposure to harmful chemicals. The European "Parliament.com" news quoted HEAL following the positive outcome of the ENVI Committee's vote on a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on 24 May. It also focused on our message from the joint conference on noise with Transport and Environment (T&E) and European Environmental Bureau (EEB) on 25 May. See all HEAL’s media coverage here… MEMBERS' NEWS The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare joins HEAL This month HEAL welcomes The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare to our membership. Formerly 'The Campaign for Greener Healthcare', the Centre is a dynamic, UK-based, independent organisation working to bring health messages into the centre of the climate change agenda and to transform healthcare for a sustainable future. They are one of HEAL’s partners in the UK in its climate and health campaign. Find out more about the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare PAN Europe warns: UK and Germany try to weaken controls on hazardous pesticides Suggestions for new criteria to define endocrine disrupting chemicals have been put forward by the UK and German governments that greatly undermine the levels necessary to protect people’s health, according to HEAL member the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe. Read more... World Health Assembly adopts resolution targeted at saving the lives of children from injury In May 2011, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on child injury prevention, the first ever on the topic. The news was welcomed by Joanne Vincenten, Director of the HEAL member organisation, European Child Safety Alliance. “The resolution should serve as a further impetus for Member States to support uptake of evidence based measures. Injury is still the leading cause of death and disability for children in every Member State in Europe". Read more... EPHA response to European Commission consultation on health security in the EU The European Commission launched a consultation on what action the European Commission should take to protect EU citizens more effectively against serious cross-border health threats. On 11 May 2011, EPHA responded to the European Commission consultation on health security in the EU. Read more … EVENTS 6-17 June 2011: UN Climate Change Conference June 2011, Bonn, Germany. Prof. Hugh Montgomery from the University College London will be representing HEAL at this year’s UNFCCC Bonn climate conference. He will bring the voice of the health community to international policy makers, calling for policies that protect people’s health as well as the environment. Prof. Montgomery has strong experience of work in this field and was also part of the HEAL delegation in last year’s climate talks in Cancun. Watch Hugh in action here... 13-17 June 2011: WHO Global Health Council: Securing a healthier future in a changing world Washington D.C., US. 6 July 2011: European Network on Noise and Health (ENNAH) final conference, Brussels, Belgium.. The conference will present recommendations and policy implications of ENNAH’s findings. The network of 33 partners from 16 countries evaluated the research use of noise maps and actions plans, formulated points for future research directions and informed the development of the European Noise Directive. 24-28 September 2011: European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands. . The congress will see the world's respiratory experts meet to exchange views and share knowledge. Registration now open. |
| 19/04/2011 | HEAL Newsflash - April 2011 Scientists’ Appeal on children’s environment and health 3rd Paris Appeal International Congress; Children’s health and the environment. 12 - 13 April 2011 at UNESCO, 125 avenue de Suffren, 75015 Paris Since the first Paris Appeal conference, thousands of scientists and citizens have signed the consensus statement, demonstrating their concern about the effects of a deteriorating environment on public health. The 2011 congress focused on children’s health and environment sought to bring home the message to both policy-makers and the public about the urgency to act now. HEAL stressed the need for cutting exposure to harmful chemicals in order to better protect children. Read more… HEAL launches new materials on environment and health HEAL has published new material on environment and health which consolidates our work from the past year, presents our political demands and outlines our position. The position paper and policy demands add to our push to bring the latest science to EU and national politicians, whilst raising awareness of the links between environmental factors and health among the medical and health community and the public. Read more… Banned toxics found in carpet underlay sold in EU Discussion on the decision whether flame retardants, such as PBDE, can be used in products containing recycled materials is taking place now at COP5, the Stockholm Convention meeting on chemicals in Geneva. Two years ago at COP4, the EU supported and strongly argued for an exemption that currently permits recycling of plastics and foam containing PBDEs. These flame retardants can cause nervous system damage, particularly in infants and toddlers. A new study shows that products available on the market in the EU do contain these toxics, posing a very real health concern. We tend to think of recycling as a good thing. But this kind of recycling is exposing us to harmful chemicals, which may be adding to rates of cancer and thyroid disorders, and may be interfering with the healthy development of the brains of our children. HEAL alongside other NGOs call on the European Union to urgently address the recycling of toxics loophole in this international agreement. Read more… French youth group, Appel de la jeunesse, joins HEAL HEAL welcomes the French youth organisation, Appel de la jeunesse (A2J) as our newest member – this is the first youth group to join the alliance. A2J is based in France and works at both national and EU level to improve health through public policy and promote a cleaner and healthier environment. Expanding the HEAL network to youth groups will greatly add to in our campaigns and projects – helping to bring the voice of youth to EU policy making. A2J’s inaugural campaign called "Guinea Pig Generations, No thanks!" is featured in this month’s members’ news. Video interviews on health benefits of cleaner air EU-supported research findings by an APHEKOM project show that significant health and monetary benefits could result from further reducing current levels of air pollution in European cities. The findings were released at a stakeholders meeting in Saint-Maurice just outside Paris on Wednesday, 2 March 2011. Following the conference, APHEKOM have released a series of interviews with all the panelists from the meeting. The participants range from key scientists to policy makers and experts. HEAL’s Vice President, Peter van den Hazel, and HEAL’s Deputy Director, Anne Stauffer were both interviewed. View the video clips… Find out about health impacts of pesticides HEAL has brought together a resource library as part of the Sick of Pesticides campaign. The library, available on the multi-language Sick of Pesticides website, provides links to HEAL campaign tools, publications and the latest science, information about our partner organisations as well as research specifically on environment and cancer. The Sick of Pesticides campaign aims to raise awareness of the links between pesticides and ill-health, and to mobilise collective action for change. HEAL is currently running projects across Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Hungary. Many of the materials on the website are now available in English, French, Dutch and Hungarian. Visit the library… Living downstream at Belgrade international film festival On April 1st, the award-winning cancer and environment film, Living Downstream, had its European festival premiere at the 58th Belgrade Documentary and Short Film Festival. Based on the acclaimed book by ecologist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., this cinematic documentary follows Sandra over the course of one pivotal year as she works to break the silence about cancer and its environmental links. Living Downstream’s filmmaker, Chanda Chevannes, was invited to attend the screening of the film, which was part of the festival’s HOT program. The screening was followed by a dynamic panel discussion that included Chevannes and two cancer survivors. The discussion provided audience members with an opportunity to discuss the impact of cancer and environmental contamination on their lives. In November 2010, HEAL hosted the European screening of Living Downstream during our cancer and environment week, and held discussion sessions with Sandra Steingraber and policy makers in the European Parliament. This month Steingraber has published her latest book, Raising Elijah: Protecting Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis. HEAL IN THE MEDIA HEAL’s participation in the Paris Appeal conference last week resulted in Genon Jensen being quoted in an article by France's leading news agency Agence France Presse (AFP), which was picked up by the 20 minutes TV (free newspaper distributed in 12 French cities) and by MCS-Ressources. Chemical Watch also reported on the meeting. The WHO report on the burden of disease from environmental noise, to which HEAL responded in a joint press release with T&E and EEB were featured in ENDS Europe, EU Observer, EAEM Magazine and Environment News Service. Environmental Expert featured a quote from Anne Stauffer, while the Belgian daily Le Soir featured HEAL member, Inter-Environnement Wallonie. See HEAL’s full media coverage here. NEWS FROM HEAL MEMBERS Council of Europe: Report on health hazards of mercury and dental amalgams adopted The Council of Europe’s Committee for Social, Health and Family Affairs has adopted a draft resolution for the phase out of dental mercury. Members of the Committee voted on the draft report ‘Health hazards of heavy metals’ written by Jean Huss, Council of Europe member and President of HEAL member organization AKUT. The Council of Europe is an international organization based in Strasbourg bringing together 47 member countries of Europe. While the vote is not legally binding, it nevertheless gives support to the widening call for phasing out of dental amalgam. In the discussion on the dangers of using mercury in dental treatments, Huss highlighted that a growing number of illnesses, in particular chronic diseases, are thought to be caused by heavy metals and other chemical substances that are present in our environment. The draft report will be voted on by the Council of Europe Ministers on 27th of May. Say “no thanks!” to the guinea pig generation "Guinea Pig Generations, No thanks!" is a new campaign that aims to alert policy makers to the health effects of many environmental pollutants and technologies – from industrial chemicals to nanomaterials and genetically modified organisms. The campaign, known in France as “Générations Cobayes, Non Merci !”, is run by HEAL’s latest member, the youth group Appel de la jeunesse (A2J) and it targets at both national and European policy makers. The launch campaign calls for an outright ban on the endocrine disrupting chemical, Bisphenal A (BPA). Since March, the use of BPA in baby bottles has been banned across the EU, but there has been political reluctance to expand this ban to other areas, such as food packaging. Appel de la jeunesse plan to expand the "Guinea Pig Generations, No thanks!" campaign to pesticides and GMOs in the near future. Read more… Civil society calls for health equality across Europe While the average life expectancy in the EU is increasing, disparities between the lowest and highest socio-economic groups can be as much as ten years for men, and six for women; a figure that varies significantly between EU countries. On 14th April, HEAL member the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) called for better leadership and accountability from EU institutions to effectively address health inequalities. The Charter for Health Equity has been signed by over 100 civil society organisations and was presented to MEP Jo Leinen, Chair of the EP’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee and Staffan Nilsson - president of the European Economic and Social Committee, during EPHA’s annual general assembly. Read more… EVENTS 3rd May – Public Hearing on Endocrine Disrupters and Launch of SIN 2.0 in Brussels. The 2.0 version of the SIN List will be launched at this event, listing new chemicals selected specifically for their endocrine-disrupting properties. 7-8th May – Nanotechonology: Impact on health benefits and risks, Kolping-Akademie, Kolpingplatz 1, 97070 Würzburg. The event will be organised by European Academy for Environmental Medicine e. V. (EUROPAEM). EUROPAEM stresses the need for primary prevention strategies in coping with the impact of nanotechnology. 20th May – International high level conference on chrysotile asbestos & health in Kyrgyzstan. For the first time ever Kyrgyz government officials, representatives of ministries, international organizations and civil society will discuss in public the use of asbestos and related health hazards in Bishkek, Kyrgystan. 25th May – Quiet Please: The Future of EU Noise Policy. As part of HEAL’s expanding work on noise pollution and health, we will be co-organising a conference on EU noise policy with two leading European environmental groups, Transport & Environment, and the European Environmental Bureau. Registration is now open 20th June – Climate change - how to secure our future wellbeing: a health and security perspective. Climate change represents a threat to both human health and survival, and also to global security. These issues will be discussed at a high level conference organised by the UK Climate and Health Council, BMJ, and senior military figures. |
| 19/03/2011 | HEAL Newsflash - March 2011 The WHO report says that each year Europeans lose at least one million healthy life-years due to disability or disease caused by traffic noise. And that estimate is said to be conservative. The new calculation includes data that measure exposure to traffic noise and its impact on health related to cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment in children, sleep disturbance, tinnitus, and annoyance. "The new figures are worrying but the true impact of noise pollution on health is likely to be much higher”, says Anne Stauffer, HEAL 's Deputy Director. {{[Read more...->art105" class='spip_out'>WHO says traffic noise health impacts second only to air pollution HEAL calls for better recognition of noise pollution as public health problem Scientific evidence on the health impacts of environmental noise, from transport and industry is increasing year on year. In 2010, European environment and health ministers signed the Parma Declaration on Environment and Health, committing to, amongst other things, reducing children’s exposure to noise. This year, HEAL will increase advocacy efforts to ensure the risk to health from noise in the EU is minimised. In March we issued a joint press release (mentioned above), with leading environment NGOs Transport and Environment (T&E) and the European Environment Bureau (EEB). On 25th May, also with T&E and EEB, we are organising a conference on EU noise policy in the EU Economic and Social Committee building in Brussels. The conference entitled Quiet Please: The Future of EU Noise Policy will be a high-level event with representatives from the EU parliament, the Commission, national environment, industry and transport and health experts and NGOs. Panel discussions will provide a platform for some of the leading noise experts and policy makers to discuss the latest science on noise & health, road traffic noise and the future of EU noise policy. Online registration for the conference is now open. In the meantime, if you’re working on issues related to environmental noise or are part of a research project, please get in touch anne@env-health.org. Diet change can reduce BPA levels in humans A new study from the United States released on Wednesday, 30 March by the Breast Cancer Fund and the Silent Spring Institute shows that avoiding canned and packaged food can reduce chemical levels in the human body by 50% or more. This finding implies that food contact materials are a major source of people’s exposure to harmful chemicals, such as hormone disruptors known as BPA and DEHP. HEAL, alongside other public interest organisations, is calling for swifter action by the European Union to eliminate people’s exposure to these chemicals to protect public health. This study confirms the urgent need for a major overhaul of EU food contact materials law because packaging in the US is often the same as that used in the EU. Specifically, the review should address endocrine disruptors and the ‘cocktail effects' of exposure to several chemicals at the same time. Read more… ‘Victims’ of occupational pesticide exposure launch an official association During this year’s Pesticides Alternatives Week, HEAL and member organisation Générations Futures helped to create an association of ‘victims’ of occupational pesticide exposure in France. The association, called Phyto-victimes aims to educate the public and health professionals about the impact of pesticides on health, especially that ofo farmers, and calls for preventative policies that protect people and the environment from hazardous pesticides. The launch event took place in Ruffec, near Poitiers, France on Saturday 19 March. Project initiator and host, Paul Francois is a conventional farmer who was intoxicated by inhalation of an herbicide. The event included a screening of “Notre poison quotidien”, which took place in the presence of the director, Marie-Monique Robin, and was followed by a question and answer session. Read More... Health community puts environment first in cancer prevention The World Health Organization has put environmental and occupational factors in first place in the primary prevention of cancer as the launch of the Asturias Pledge following a meeting in Spain shows. The Pledge represents an important milestone in developing international consensus on the primary prevention of cancer - stopping cancer before it starts by eliminating harmful exposures. Immediately prior to the meeting, HEAL issued a briefing on the role of environmental pollution in cancer causation. Read more… Radiation and human health In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan a nuclear tragedy is unfolding, its implications yet to be determined. HEAL’s US partner the Collaborative and Environment and Health (CHE) organised a partnership call on the health impacts of radiation. The call brought together health professionals from around the world to ask: "What are the primary risks to human health, of both acute high-level and lower-level exposures? Are there scientifically valid strategies for minimising harm in those exposed? And how might such disasters best be avoided in the future? The call featured leading experts Arjun Makhijani, PhD, President of The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and Ira Helfand, MD, a past president of Physicians for Social Responsibility. The CHE website has a very useful database of resources on radiation and health. Also of interest is a Joint Statement from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Thyroid Association, The Endocrine Society and the Society of Nuclear Medicine. New international alliance calls for lower exposure to electromagnetic fields HEAL welcomes the launch of the International EMF Alliance (IEMFA) which took place in February 2011. It works to protect public health from the dangers of electro-magnetic fields (EMFs). The Alliance has published, along with a consortium of international scientists, a report and scientific Consensus Statement urging global governments to adopt significantly lower human exposure standards for electromagnetic fields. The scientists recommend specific exposure limits for different frequency fields, including for microwaves, those used in wireless communications, and for ELF electric fields and magnetic fields. Read more… NEWS FROM HEAL MEMBERS Calling for pesticide-free public spaces in Luxembourg In March, Initiativ Liewensufank, HEAL member from Luxembourg, wrote letters to all municipalities asking them to make their public spaces, from parks to school play-areas, pesticide-free. The letters came as part of this year’s Week for Pesticide Alternatives. In Luxembourg, there are already ten municipalities that are pesticide free; we hope that the others will follow suit. HEAL monitors information on pesticide-free public spaces and provides the information on our Sick of Pesticides campaign website. Also as part of the Week for Pesticide Alternatives, Initiativ Liewensufank screened the new documentary, ‘Our Daily Poison’ by Marie-Monique Robin. The film, about the risks to health and the environment from pesticides and chemicals, was released this month in France and made waves across the media. Read more... . Creating healthy environments for your baby This spring, HEAL member, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) , are expanding their project in France that aims to educate parents on how to create safer indoor environments for their children. The ‘Nesting Project’ will train a group of eight new workshop facilitators, who will then be qualified to organise more Nesting workshops across France for new parents. The Nesting project is a Europe-wide initiative and the website is available in eight languages. The Nesting workshops are interactive and demonstrate to parents how to improve the indoor environment in their home, including by reducing indoor pollution generated by furniture, cosmetics products, toys, etc. Read more... Hand over of European Charter for Health Equity to EU Commissioner HEAL member, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is calling for health equity across the EU. On 14 April, as part of the EPHA Annual General Assembly, EPHA will be presenting the Charter for Health Equity to EU Commissioner John Dalli. With the Charter for Health Equity, EPHA aims to bring civil society together to call for immediate action and to ensure that the issue is kept on the agenda. The social determinants of health - such as environment, climate and food - all have huge potential to reduce health inequalities and benefit the whole society. Despite the EU’s growing focus on health inequalities, the issue remains very much in the domain of the health community and concrete EU actions are yet to be defined. HEAL has signed the charter, alongside almost 90 international, European and national organisations working on gender, youth, environment, agriculture and of course health alongside a host of environment, social and health groups. There is still the opportunity to sign here. Improving children’s health in Italy HEAL member, the Cultural Association of Pediatrics (Acp) Italy, has launched a new project to promote children’s’ and environment and health across 120 kindergartens of 64 municipalities in Padua province of Italy. The campaign, funded by UNESCO and supported by in collaboration with Padua Province, Holly and Marna, who are IT Mom correspondents from Better TV, and partners aims to raise awareness amongst children and parents of environment and health hazards, and to provide solutions to everyday problems. In different parts of Padua, teachers have been trained by health professionals about the links between environment and children's health, and given tools to aid understanding and avoid potential health hazards. One such tool is a set of books which highlights positive actions that children can take to create a healthier environment. The books cover topics such as energy and water savings, waste and recycling, and sustainable transport. Read more... HEAL IN MEDIA Chemical Watch featured our call for halving exposure to carcinogens by 2020 made at the WHO conference in Asturias, Spain on reducing environmental and occupational cancer. Two important scientific reviews also helped put HEAL in the media in March: one from the EU-funded Aphekom project on air quality and the other the WHO burden of disease from noise. Our climate change report was again in the news in Belgium, this time in the leading daily, Le Soir. For a complete overview of HEAL’s media coverage, please visit the website. EVENTS 6th April, 2011. Mini symposium, “REACH, New chemistry and the consumer” organised by Women in Europe for a Common Future, at the Dutch Industrial and Employers Federation, The Hague. Twice a year, government, industry, business and civil society meet to discuss the REACH chemicals legislation in the EU. WECF has been asked to set the Agenda for the mini symposium, asking the questions: What about innovation? What should we do about information for the wider public? Are we healthier with REACH? For more information go to www.wecf.eu. 12 -13th April, 2011. Third Paris Appeal Congress, UNESCO, 125 avenue de Suffren, 75015 Paris. This year’s focus will be on Children’s health and the environment. The congress will be followed by a three-day international academic intensive course of Environmental Medicine, 14 - 15 - 16 April 2011. 28th April, 2011, Endocrine Disruptors and Biodiversity Conference, National Museum of Natural History, Paris. The conference is organised by HEAL member Réseau Environnement Santé(RES) and WWF. The conference marks the 20 years since the ‘Wingspread Statement’ – a scientific consensus statement, convened by Dr. Theo Colburn (founder of the Endocrine Disrupter Exchange TEDx) and 21 international scientists from 15 different disciplines, which asserted the possibility of endocrine disruption by human-made compounds in our environment. The conference is aimed at scientists, policy and the institutional actors and civil society. Register here. 7 – 8th May, 2011. Nanotechonology: Impact on health benefits and risks, Kolping-Akademie, Kolpingplatz 1, 97070 Würzburg. The event will be organised by European Academy for Environmental Medicine e. V. (EUROPAEM). EUROPAEM stresses the need for primary prevention strategies in coping with the impact of nanotechnology;, strategies that are missing at present. The congress will hear from a host of international experts, and will seek to highlight the breadth of knowledge in this area. 25th May, 2011. Quiet Please: The Future of EU Noise Policy. As part of HEAL’s expanding work on noise pollution and health, we will be co-organising a conference on EU noise policy with two leading European environmental groups, Transport & Environment, and the European Environmental Bureau. The conference will take place in the afternoon of Wednesday, 25 May at the EU Economic and Social Committee in Brussels. Registration is now open. |
| 05/03/2011 | Pesticides and Health e News - Spring 2011 |
| 05/03/2011 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - Spring 2011 |
| 19/02/2011 | HEAL Newsflash - February 2011 What’s good for climate is good for health and the economy: Message presented to European Parliamentarians HEAL’s recent findings on health ‘co-benefits’ from a stronger climate action was presented directly to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in a public hearing on climate change in Brussels on 28th February 2011. The European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety will hear stakeholders’ and scientific views on "Moving beyond a 20% greenhouse gas reduction target in the EU" , in preparation for a report by Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout (Greens, Netherlands), which draws strongly on our joint report Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy. Read more... 30%: Why Europe should strengthen its 2020 climate action Enhanced climate action in Europe is imperative for generating jobs, growth, energy and climate security and improving health states a new report from the Climate Action Network Europe. The report, 30% Why Europe should strengthen its 2020 climate action, concludes that an EU move to a 30% greenhouse gas reduction target by 2020 is now imperative for Europe's future. One of the key findings draws on information from HEAL’s joint report, Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy report, which highlighted the additional health benefits from moving from a 20% to a 30% target. Read the CAN report. Copenhagen to Durban and beyond: NGOs promote health and partner for future action On the 10th February groups from all over the world met to share expertise about how the momentum from Copenhagen to Cancun is being carried forward into 2011. During the teleconference, HEAL’s Climate and Energy Policy Advisor Pendo Maro gave a presentation on the benefits to health from a stronger climate agreement in Europe. The conference, organised by HEAL’s US partner the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE), sought to establish plans for collaborative activities promoting health in the run up to COP17 in Durban, South Africa and beyond. It is important for groups to keep up the pressure and ensure that governments take action to protect citizens from the impacts of climate change. Read more… Registration opens for the third Paris Appeal International Congress The third Paris Appeal International Congress, organised by HEAL member ARTAC in partnership with HEAL and the International Society for Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), will be held in Paris on the 12 -13th April. This year the focus will be on children’s environment and health. Following the conference, there will be a three-day training course on environmental medicine open to medical professionals. Register now. Week Without Pesticides, 20th - 30th March 2011 Week Without Pesticides will start on the 20th March. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the risks to health and the environment poised by pesticides and to highlight alternative solutions. With the continuing success of the original French campaign in 2006, the movement expands to new countries throughout Europe every year. There are now actions and events taking place across Belgium, Macedonia, Hungary as well as parts of Africa, including Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania and Togo to highlight the numerous alternatives to pesticide use. Find out what is happening in your country. Six steps to pesticide reduction: a guide for communities In preparation for the Week Without Pesticides, HEAL has launched a guide to pesticide reduction. The toolkit is aimed at community groups and individuals wishing to reduce pesticide use in their communities and local areas. HEAL has drawn on experience of international pesticides and health campaigns to create a 6 step guide packed full of examples and model campaign materials. Download a copy. Health groups, companies and local businesses back a green energy future for Europe Two hundred local businesses and organisations, national and European politicians, and companies from a variety of sectors, including engineering, energy supplies and healthcare, have lent their support to a 100% renewable energy vision for Europe in 2050. As the EU sets out its own vision for the future of energy in Europe (2050 vision), the signatories of the 100% renewables declaration are calling on Europe to “lead by example”. In the joint press release, HEAL emphasised the positive impacts to health from a greener economy, stating that cleaner sources of energy mean cleaner air with special benefits for those with asthma or other respiratory or cardiac conditions. Read more… Global call for MEPs to protect transparency of the European Union HEAL joined over 131 non-governmental organisations along with 56 investigative journalists, academics, and access to information campaigners from 48 countries in Europe and beyond to call on Members of the European Parliament to act urgently to protect EU transparency rules. The call came as the European Union engages in a review of its access to documents regulation that could result in freedom of information being severely curtailed across Europe. Read more. European Union starts deliberations on Healthy Ageing The European Commission's directorate of Health & Consumer Affairs (DG SANCO) has held a consultation with the public on active and healthy ageing, as a first step to give this issue more prominence. HEAL has submitted a response calling for initiatives on healthy ageing to consider environmental factors as determinants of health. It is imperative that 'prevention actions' to promote healthy ageing include reduction and elimination of environmental contaminants, as well as the current measures of screening and early detection. For more information on HEAL's response please contact Lisette@env-health.org, or on the consultation, click here Fracturing for shale gas in Europe: the environmental health impacts In Europe, discussions over the introduction of the shale fracturing for natural gas are increasing. This controversial method of extracting gas from shale has been met with concern NGOs due to the potential dangers it poses to the environment and people's health. While the EU Heads of State welcome shale gas and oil extraction in their conclusions on the future of EU energy policy (EU Energy Summit on 4 February), France is the first country to act on the growing concerns; placing work on hold until the end of June, when the assessment of economic, social and environmental impact is completed. To address the issues, HEAL has created an e-working group for organisations involved in health and energy/climate change, chemicals, water quality and natural habitat dimensions of shale fracturing. The working group will serve as a platform to exchange information between countries and EU-level responses. For more information, please contact Lisette@env-health.org. To find out more about the health impacts, see here. HEAL IN THE MEDIA It has been a very productive month for HEAL, as political pressure begins to mount in many of our key policy areas. We have continued to receive good media coverage for our climate and health work– in particular on the back of the recent Acting NOW for better health: A 30% target for EU climate policy. Our air quality joint press release, calling on the Commission to revise the EU’s air pollution rules and put people’s health and the environment first, was featured in the European Voice. Our "Pesticides and Cancer" project with Generations Future, has continued to receive coverage and was featured on Slovenian public TV. For the full media coverage, click here NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS Hope for allergy sufferers as a new research programme begins HEAL member, the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA), has joined a new EU research programme to investigate causes of allergies. The MeDALL project (Mechanisms of the Development of Allergy), funded by the EU Research Framework Programme FP7, will investigate the causes of a wide range of allergies. The results should help to provide better answers as to why and how allergies develop as well as target prevention and treatment opportunities. Read more… Calling for health equality in the EU – EPHA needs your signatures! Civil society is coming together to call for health equity across the EU. The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) has launched a Charter for Health Equity to ensure the issue is kept on the agenda and to call for action now. The social determinants of health - such as environment, climate and food - all have huge potential to reduce health inequalities and benefit the whole society. Despite the EU’s growing focus on health inequalities, the issue remains very much in the domain of the health community and concrete EU actions are yet to be defined. EPHA is calling on all members of civil society to sign the charter. Read more… EVENTS Final Aphekom meeting on air quality and health, 2 March 2011 The final meeting of the Aphekom air quality and health research project will be held on the 2nd March in Paris, France. The first session will see project leaders present key findings from Aphekom’s nearly three years of work on the impact of air pollution on health in Europe. During the second session attendees will have the opportunity to put questions to Aphekom’s scientists and discuss issues on urban air pollution in Europe. Read more... HEAL Policy Manager, Anne Stauffer, will discuss with other stakeholders how the Aphekom results can contribute to environmental and public-health policy and action moving forward in Europe. WHO International Conference on Environmental and Occupational Determinants of Cancer: Interventions for Primary Prevention, 17-18 March HEAL’s Toxic Policy Advisor, Lisette van Vliet, will be participating in a round table discussion during the World Health Organization’s first international conference on the primary prevention of cancer through environmental and occupational interventions. The Conference will take place on 17-18 March in Asturias, Spain. Read more… |
| 07/01/2011 | HEAL Newsflash - January 2011 Health and environmental groups ask Commission to revise air quality laws on health grounds HEAL and other environmental groups have called on the European Commission to immediately revise the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive. HEAL, alongside the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and Transport and Environment (T&E) wrote a letter to EU President Barroso and the EU Commissioners explaining that an immediate revision of the NEC directive should not be seen as a burden on Europe’s economy but rather as an opportunity to put Europe on a recovery path that will improve the health of its citizens and their environment as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Read more.... Renewed hope for the EU’s environment and health action plan (EHAP) As 2010 came to a close, so too did the EU’s first Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP 2004 – 2010), an instrument that has added immense value in ensuring more targeted research on environmental impacts and health outcomes, and helped raise awareness on the environment's critical role in promoting people’s health . A further push for renewing the action plan came on the 20th December, when EU environment ministers called on the EU Commission to further promote health through environment policy and draw up a second EHAP as soon as possible. Read more… Indoor Air Quality: publication of WHO guidelines HEAL has welcomed the recently published indoor air quality guidelines on chemicals by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an important step towards a harmonised framework on indoor air quality within the European Union. Indoor air quality is a particular concern for many of HEAL members, such as allergy and asthma patients' organisations, and for groups working to protect the health of vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly who are more susceptible to harmful indoor environments. As the race towards energy efficient buildings across the EU increases, reducing indoor air pollution will become more important than ever. HEAL hopes that the new guidelines will prompt further consideration of an overall EU strategy on indoor air pollution. Read More... HEAL reaction on the Council agreement on biocides In December 2010, the EU Environment Ministers agreed on their position for a new authorisation system for household pesticides and other biocides – a decision which if confirmed in second reading in Autumn would allow many hazardous biocides to remain on the European market and may increase the overall sales of biocides. HEAL and other environment and health groups have sharply criticised the EU environment ministers’ agreement stating that it will not help to reduce the dependency on biocidal products and thus not ensure the highest level of protection to health and environment. The agreement is a step backwards from the European Parliament’s call for the promotion of alternatives and from EU chemical laws like REACH and pesticides legislation. Read more... HEAL IN THE MEDIA During the past two months, HEAL has featured extensively in the media across the EU. For example on our Toxic’s policy officer Lisette van Vliet was interviewed on French television for HEAL’s work on Bisphenol-A (BPA) and early puberty, and again on Slovenian television for the new (Toxic menus campaign.). The latter, was also covered in the Guardian newspaper in the UK , thanks to the translation of an article about toxics in children's menus originally published in Le Monde, France. HEAL’s biocides work was picked up in a long feature about environment contaminants on, German radio whilst our [air quality>http://www.env-health.org/a/3582] work and our continued call for a renewed National Emissions Ceiling directive was covered in the in Brussels-based European Voice and ENDS daily. NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS Joint call for tap water temperature limits to reduce the number of severe scalds to children Hot bath water is the most common cause of severe scalds to young children in Europe. HEAL member, The European Child Safety Alliance (ECSA) has released a position statement and backgrounder on the danger of tap water scalds. The statement is supported by several European and international organisations, including HEAL, as well as national ECSA partners from over 20 European countries. Read more... French supermarket removes toxic chemical, Bisphenol A, from sales receipts Le Réseau Environnement Santé (RES), HEAL member, has welcomed the recent decision of the French supermarket, Carrefour, to remove the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) from their sales receipts. Currently there are over 1600 branches of Carrefour due to remove BPA from receipts. Carrefour follows the lead of the French cooperative Système U. This move is well ahead of any national policy to reduce exposure to BPA. RES calls on the retail sector to follow the lead of Carrefour and Système U. Read more.. One Health Congress: Human Health, Animal Health, the Environment and Global Survival HEAL member, the Clinical Microbiology Uppsala University Hospital, will present at the 1st International One Health Congress: Human Health, Animal Health, the Environment and Global Survival, in Melbourne 14-16 February. The conference will see the launch of a new Open Access Journal on zoonoses, infectious diseases that can be transmitted from non-human animals, both wild and domestic, to humans or from humans to non-human animals. Read more... EVENTS Report from the Cancun Climate Change Talks: NGOs Promote Health and Partner for Future Action, 10 February A number of NGOs and health and medical groups can attest that the United Nation’s Climate Change talks in Cancun were good for human health. HEAL’s US partner organisation, the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) will be holding a teleconference to share how the momentum from Copenhagen to Cancun is being carried forward into 2011 towards collaborative activities promoting health in the run up to COP17 in Durban, South Africa and beyond. HEAL’s Climate and Energy Policy Advisor, Pendo Maro will be on the panel of the conference, alongside Lynn Wilson (SeaTrust Institute) and Pastor Peters Omoragbon (Nurses Across the Borders). The call will take place on February 10, 2011 at 10 a.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. Eastern, read more.. Final Aphekom meeting on air quality and health, 2 March 2011 The final meeting of the Aphekom air quality and health project will meet on the 2nd March 2011 in Paris, France. The first session will see project leaders present key findings from Aphekom's nearly three years of work on the impact of air pollution on health in Europe. During the second session attendees will have the opportunity to put questions to Aphekom’s scientists and discuss issues on urban air pollution in Europe. The Aphekom project develops and delivers information and tools on the impacts of air pollution on human health for decision makers, health professionals and individuals so that they can make better-informed decisions. Read more.. International Conference on Environmental and Occupational Determinants of Cancer: Interventions for Primary Prevention, 17-18 March HEAL’s Toxic Policy Advisor, Lisette van Vliet will be participating in a round table discussion during the World Health Organization’s first international conference on the primary prevention of cancer through environmental and occupational interventions. The Conference will take place on 17-18 March in Asturias, Spain. Read more… 3rd Paris Appeal, 12 - 13 April 2011 – registration now open The third Congress of the Paris Appeal, an international declaration on the health dangers of chemical pollution, will focus on Children’s health and the environment. The Congress will bring together several of the best international specialists and will review the latest scientific breakthroughs in the field. The congress is organised by HEAL member the Association for Research and Treatments Against Cancer (ARTAC), in partnership with HEAL and the International Society of Doctors for the Environment, and will be held in Paris on the 12 - 13 April 2011, followed by a three-day academic course in Environmental Medicine, 14 – 15 - 16 April 2011. Registration for both is now open. |
| 07/12/2010 | HEAL Newsflash - December 2010 Medical professionals push health into global climate talks HEAL headed a delegation of high-level medical professionals at the United Nation climate negotiations in Cancun in December to help bring the voice of the health community to the proceedings. Our delegation sought to highlight that reducing greenhouse gasses is good for the climate, national economies and peoples’ health. Climate change threatens the basic elements of life such as access to food, water, shelter and clean air - which in turn severely impacts human health. The good news is that action to mitigate climate change can improve public health: an important message for negotiators in Cancun. Read more… Groups continue to push for a second environment and health action plan Health and environment groups attended the November launch of the European Environment Agency’s State of the Environment Report (SOE), the environmental analysis of the European Union updated every five years, in the European Parliament. HEAL welcomed the inclusion in the 2010 report of a chapter on environment and health, and particularly the mention of the dangers to health caused by exposure to combinations of chemicals, or “chemical cocktails”. Read more... Cancer and Environment week – November 2010 In November, HEAL hosted a series of events to raise awareness of the links between cancer causation and involuntary exposure to toxic chemicals in our everyday environments. The Cancer and Environment week included a policy discussion in the European Parliament, a public film screening, an NGO workshop on pesticides and health and the launch of a French cancer and environment awareness campaign. Read more... European film premiere of Living Downstream HEAL hosted the European premiere of the groundbreaking film on cancer and environmental causation, Living Downstream. Sandra Steingraber joined us again to introduce the film, which is based on her acclaimed book of the same name, and to host a discussion session after the screening. Read more... Reducing pesticide use across Europe for better health Health and environment groups from throughout the European Union gathered in Brussels to discuss strategies for pesticides reduction. The workshop, hosted by HEAL and Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) formed the first meeting of HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides network which will act as a platform to exchange information on the setting up of pesticide-free areas and to establish the next steps as countries prepare National Action Pplans for pesticide reduction. The meeting particularly focused on the core campaign countries of the UK, France, Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands. Read more... "Toxic menu" launches cancer and environment campaign in France Générations Futures (formerly MDRGF) and HEAL revealed results of tests on typical meals in France to launch the "Environnement et Cancer" campaign on 1 December 2010. Between July and September 2010, non-organic food items making up the typical daily intake of a 10 year-old were bought in various supermarkets and tested for chemical residues. Analysis of the "Menus Toxiques" showed the make-up of chemical substances in our daily diet. The findings showed 128 trace elements representing 81 different chemical substances. These substances included 36 different pesticides and 47 suspected carcinogens. Read more... European Commission bans the use of bisphenol A in plastic baby bottles In November the European Commission banned the use of organic compound bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic baby bottles, the ban will come into place from March 2011. "Iit is a step in the right direction," says Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Policy Advisor at HEAL. Read more... More guidance for countries on EU pesticide legislation needed EU Health and Consumer Affair’s Commissioner John Dalli has been asked to encourage faster, stronger implementation of pesticides policy in an open letter from HEAL and our partner organisation, Pesticides Action Network Europe. As a result of recent EU legislation, Member States are asked to reduce pesticide use to protect health and the environment. But groups are concerned that deadlines related to National Action Plans on the sustainable use of pesticides scheduled for 14 December 2011 and 2012 will not be met. Read more… HEAL IN THE MEDIA It has been a very productive few months for HEAL, and as a result we have received fantastic media coverage across all policy areas. Notably, coverage achieved a significant boost with the visit of Sandra Steingraber to Brussels to speak about how environmental policy can help reduce chronic disease, including cancer.. Thanks to our involvement in a "Pesticides and Cancer" joint project of food testing with Generations Future, conference, Paris, 1 December 2010, we achieved a high profile in France. The very large press coverage included an excellent article in the medical weekly: 'Le quotidien du Médecin', a review for medical doctors and other health professionals and another by APM (Agence Presse Medicale) news, which perfectly understood our demands for a better cancer environmental prevention policy (see below). For our chemicals work, media coverage was dominated by the led up and the announcement by the European Commission that it was banning BPA in baby bottles from 2011. The story was covered in European Voice, EuroNews television website, Chemicals Watch, Euractiv, ENDS Daily and EU Observer and also in top dailies in France, UK, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. On climate, Health Day at the UNFCCC negotiations in Cancun and the findings of HEAL/HCWHE report featured strongly in discussions on Climate TV, in blogs, and in an article in ECO newsletter, published by NGO environmental groups at major international conferences. A new push to promote the report in Central and Eastern European countries led to extensive coverage in Hungary and a major article in Capital, a leading weekly in Bulgaria. EVENTS ON THE HORIZON 12 - 13 April 2011 - Paris Appeal Third International Congress: Children’s health and the environment. Followed by a two-day international academic intensive course of Environmental Medicine, 14 - 15 April 2011, at UNESCO, 7 place de Fontenoy 75007 PARIS. Under the high patronage of WHO, Organised by ARTAC in partnership with ISDE and HEAL. For more information, please visit: www.artac.info |
| 05/12/2010 | Pesticides and Health e News - December 2010 |
| 05/11/2010 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin -Winter 2010 |
| 07/10/2010 | HEAL Newsflash - October / November 2010 The Future of the Environment & Health Action Plan in Europe On Tuesday 5th October HEAL hosted a policy event as part of our Annual General Assembly to discuss the future of the EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP). As the current EHAP runs out at the end of this year, the session aimed to reflect on the political context for current and future environment and health work and to highlight policy opportunities for taking the agenda forward. Participants reiterated the call for a 2nd EHAP in order to ensure environment and health concerns continue to receive EU policy priority. Read more… HEAL Annual General Assembly; five new members and a new Executive Committee! HEAL’s 2010 Annual General Assembly, held in our Brussels office, welcomed over 35 health and environment experts and activists from across Europe. The two day interactive meeting discussed HEAL’s strategy for the upcoming years and allowed for HEAL members to highlight their activities. We also saw the election of a new HEAL Executive Committee for 2010-2012 and the introduction of 5 new member organisations from throughout the EU. Read more.... European film premiere: Living Downstream 29th & 30th November – HEAL will host a series of screenings of the groundbreaking film on cancer and the environment, Living Downstream, accompanied by seminars with world-renowned environmental scientist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber. Following the personal journey and scientific exploration of Sandra Steingraber, Living Downstream is a powerful reminder of the intimate connection between the health of our bodies and the health of our air, land and water. HEAL is really pleased to be able to bring this important film to Europe. Read more…. Four-language push to link pesticide use and cancer prevention This month HEAL launched a multi-country, multi-language website to strengthen the impact of our Sick of Pesticides campaign. The campaign now covers Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the UK and Hungary, and will be coordinated by HEAL members and partners at national level. The Sick of Pesticides campaign, launched in 2008, aims to raise public awareness that reducing pesticide use could help reduce cancer rates in Europe, encourage pesticide-free public spaces, and support countries in the setting up of national action plans for pesticide use reduction by 2012 in accordance with EU regulations. The country partners will hold workshops at national level with other NGOs, health groups and local authorities to devise strategies. These will then be followed by a European network meeting in Brussels at the HEAL office on Tuesday 30th November 2010. Read more…. HEAL Team run for Clean air on Global Climate Action Day in EU capital! Ahead of a crucial debate on air quality taking place in the European Commission in the next few weeks, HEAL and other NGOs joined forces with the green group European Environmental Bureau (EEB) to reiterate calls for an urgent upgrade of key air legislation. The Health and Environment groups took action in the novel form of a mini-run during the Brussels Marathon. Read more…. Health groups call for immediate revision of EU emissions law HEAL and member organisations, the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS), have written a letter to Commissioner Janez Potočnik calling for the immediate revision of the National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive to protect the health of EU citizens. With the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution (2005), the European Union has set ambitious goals for reducing air pollution by 2020. The revision of the NEC Directive was set to be the key instrument to achieve these objectives. However, adoption by the EU Commission of the revision proposal has repeatedly been postponed since 2007. Read more…. HEAL IN THE MEDIA This month toxic chemicals made a splash in the international media. HEAL was featured in a major report on phthalates by the international news agency, Reuters. The report, The Problem with Phthalates, tackles the complex issue of the risks to male fertility from a group of chemicals found in everything from erasers to shoes. You can read the report here. Earlier this year HEAL’s Chemical Health Monitor project and CHEM Trust produced a series of publications on just this; Men Under Threat. Our Sick of Pesticides campaigns also gained media coverage this month, featuring in leading environmental magazine, The Ecologist. |
| 05/10/2010 | Pesticides and Health e News - Autumn 2010 |
| 07/09/2010 | HEAL Newsflash - September 2010 BPA: European food panel fails to protect EU citizens' health HEAL and partners were dismayed by the conclusion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that no stronger protection for public health is needed from the controversial synthetic chemical bisphenol A (BPA). With growing evidence that BPA may play a role in major chronic diseases, reducing levels of human exposure is a necessary and important step. Read more... Biocides: Disappointment over the European Parliament’s vote HEAL, along with other NGOs, has criticized the outcome of the European Parliament vote over the authorisation and marketing of household pesticides and insecticides, known as biocides. The result of the EP vote falls far behind other current EU chemicals law, such as REACH or the pesticide regulation - ultimately failing to protect consumers’ health and the environment. While MEPs underline that biocides allowed on the market should not have any harmful effects on human health, especially for vulnerable groups like children, they don’t follow this principle through in the overall resolution, for example in labelling. We hope that environmental ministers will address the EP’s shortcomings. Read more… The next steps for the WHO European Environment and Health process The sixtieth session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Europe was held in Moscow, from 13 to 16 September 2010. As WHO’s annual meeting to discuss strategy, the 2010 meeting also saw the endorsement of the new environment and health commitments agreed on at the Parma Ministerial Conference earlier this year. HEAL and partners, have played a key role in the WHO Environment and Health process from the beginning and were present in Moscow to reiterate the urgency for action in this process, particularly in improving children’s health and helping to prevent diseases such as cancer, asthma and obesity. Read more…. New Report: 30% emissions reduction target could save public health billions EU Member State governments could radically improve public health and save on health care budgets if European Union climate policy were substantially strengthened. These ground-breaking findings were published by HEAL and our member organisation, Health Care Without Harm Europe in our new report, Acting now for better health: A 30% target for EU climate policy. Read more… Sick of Pesticides: Campaigns take shape across Europe HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides campaign has expanded to Hungary, Belgium and the Netherlands with capacity building workshops planned for the autumn and new information websites. We welcome our three new country partners who will be coordinating the national campaigns to raise awareness of the links between pesticides, cancer, cancer and other diseases, and involve new health groups. Together, we aim to put pressure on governments to encourage them to set up an ambitious National Action Plans for Pesticide Reduction by 2011 and to help citizens and public bodies rapidly reduce their dependence on pesticides. Find out more about the campaigns by clicking on the relevant country sections www.pesticidescancer.eu. Or find us on Facebook. HEAL IN THE MEDIA Apart from impressive coverage following the launch of our climate change report, BPA has maintained its place on the media agenda with articles in European Voice and on Men's Health Forum blog in July and then a spate of articles following publication of US research linking BPA to male infertility. Lisette Van Vliet was quoted in the German daily, Die Tageszeitung on "the right to know" under REACH legislation and Chemical Watch covered HEAL's call for a second environment and health action plan and announced our new chemicals mixtures brochure. See more HEAL media coverage from the past few months… HEAL EVENTS We have an exciting few months ahead of us, below is just a snap shot. 4th – 5th October. HEAL Annual General Assembly. This year, HEAL and over 30 of our members, will meet in Brussels to discuss strategy, share ideas and elect a new Executive Committee. 5th October. HEAL Policy Event “EU Action on Environment and Health: Perspectives for a 2nd Environment and Health Action Plan”. 18th October. Indoor Air Quality in Different Living Settings; results of investigations and consequences in terms of decision making. HEAL is an official supporter of this conference as a part of the Belgian Presidency of the EU. 30th November. Premier European Film Screening: Living Downstream – and supporting seminar with world-renowned ecologist Sandra Steingraber. The film follows her personal journey and scientific exploration, and is a powerful reminder of the intimate connection between the health of our bodies and the health of our air, land and water. The accompanying seminar with Sandra will provide an opportunity to explore further the links between cancer and the environment. We’ll update you with details in the October’s News Flash, in the mean time you can read more about Sandra here . Follow us on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news, events and favourites. This service is provided by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) to keep you up-to-date with the latest news from the HEAL secretariat. HEAL raises awareness of how environmental protection improves people’s health, and works to strengthen European policies. We do this by creating better representation of expertise and evidence from the health community in decision making processes. HEAL is a diverse network of over 60 citizens’, patients’, health professionals’, women’s and environmental groups. Our members include international and Europe-wide organisations, as well as national and local groups. www.env-health.org |
| 07/08/2010 | HEAL Newsflash - August 2010 A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe. NGOs urge Commission to come forward with a second EU Environment and Health Action Plan The European Union's role in protecting health through environmental policy could be enhanced by a visionary second European Union Environment and Health Action Plan, according to Genon Jensen, HEAL’s Executive Director. Read more… European Commission delays air pollution legislation, yet again On the 2nd July, the European Commission revealed that critical air legislation will be postponed until 2013, putting the health of millions of Europeans at risk. In an interview with Le Monde, Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said air policies will not be reviewed until 2013 as they are too costly to implement. Environmental and health NGOs argue that this is not the case. Read more… Health organisations call for European action to combat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) COPD affects 44 million people in Europe and is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide. The WHO predicts it will become the 3rd by 2030. In June, HEAL supported a Call to Action on COPD by the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA). Specifically, the Call urges EU institutions and Member States to develop a strategic and integrated approach to respiratory diseases with a focus on COPD. Read more … Belgium: the new EU presidency On July 1st, Belgium took over the European Union’s six-month rotating presidency from Spain. From July through December Belgium will focus on six priority areas, ranging from the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force on 1 December 2009, to the pursuit of strong international climate and energy negotiations. Of particular interest are their health policy priorities which include; tackling health inequalities; the fight against cancer; Determining social factors of health. The presidency is also organising a series of events on Environment and Health issues – these will contribute significantly to raising the political profile of many key environmental health issues, and the ongoing discussions on a second EU Environment and Health Action Plan. Read more…. USEFUL MATERIALS New Brochure - Chemical Cocktails – harmful mixtures upset our hormones Scientists around the world believe that increasing rates of cancer, diabetes and infertility could be reduced by removing certain hormone disrupting chemicals from our environment - But to date, political action has been half-hearted. There are many opportunities to better implement chemicals legislation that protects our health and the environment. Our new brochure, produced by HEAL, WWF and Chem Trust, provides information on how this can be achieved, as well as how to reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals. Download it here ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH IN THE MEDIA There has been lots of press coverage over the past few months on environment and health issues – particularly around Chemicals and Pesticides. With increasing international concerns over Endocrine Disrupting chemicals and Bisphenal A, as well as mounting pressure in the EU for stronger national pesticides regulation. CAN YOU HELP? Call for Information - toxicity and the assessment of mixtures of chemicals. The European Commission’s Health and Consumers Directorate-General (DG SANCO) has issued a call for information on on the toxicity and the assessment of mixtures of chemicals. More information… Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute news, events and favourites. This service is provided by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)to keep you up-to-date with the latest news from the HEAL secretariat. HEAL raises awareness of how environmental protection improves people’s health, and works to strengthen European policies. We do this by creating better representation of expertise and evidence from the health community in decision making processes. HEAL is a diverse network of over 60 citizens’, patients’, health professionals’, women’s and environmental groups. Our members include international and Europe-wide organisations, as well as national and local groups. www.env-health.org |
| 08/06/2010 | HEAL News - May & June 2010 Environment and Health Policy Environment & Health policy update - May & June 2010 On 6th May, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the EU Partnership for Action against Cancer. The MEPs’ vote highlights the need to pay attention to the growing body of science that shows chemical pollution in our environment and work settings contributes to Europe’s high rates of cancer. More information Meanwhile in the US, environmental factors on cancer risk were also debated with the release of a report by the US President’s Cancer Panel. The panel was particularly (...) Health and environment professionals gather at the EU Open Health Forum From the 29th to 30th June 2010, health professionals, patient organisations, NGOs and policy makers gathered in Brussels for the EU Open Health Forum. The annual Forum, aims to involve key health stakeholders in European health policy by providing a platform for knowledge-sharing. The theme for the fourth Open Health Forum conference was "Together for Health – a Strategy for the EU 2020". During the conference, HEAL and member organisation the European Federation of Allergy and Airway (...) Sixty-third World Health Assembly closes after passing multiple resolutions The 63rd session of the annual World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 17 - 21 May 2010. The Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO, and is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States The delegates at the World Health Assembly adopted resolutions on a number of global health issues. Among the resolutions were two on the improvement of health through safe and environmentally sound waste management, and the (...) About us & our members European Child Safety Alliance (ECSA) Awarded Scholarship HEAL member, The European Child Safety Alliance (ECHA), has been awarded a scholarship for 20,000 pounds, by Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to develop child injury prevention impact statements based on quantitative evidence. By examining available national data and comparing injury rates to safety legislation in effect in those countries (for example, legislation regarding bicycle helmet use or fire alarms), the Alliance will develop statements which can be used to (...) HEAL Secretariat News - May & June 2010 In May we welcomed Antonin Acquarone to the team as our Climate Change Research and Policy Assistant. Antonin, who will be working with Pendo Maro, HEAL’s Climate and Energy Advisor. The 6 month internship with HEAL is part of his Master’s degree in European Law at the University of Toulouse I Capitole. Antonin also holds a Master’s degree with honors in September 2008 from the University of Montpellier II in Engineering in Ecology and Biodiversity Management. His knowledge (...) Health community call on governments to acknowledge environmental causation of chronic illnesses In April, health professionals met to discuss the latest science and policy developments on the increasing prevalence of chronic multisystem illnesses. The conference was hosted be HEAL member organisation, the European Academy for Environmental Medicine (EUROPAEM) and was held in Wuerzburg, German, April 23 to April 25, 2010. The well attended event saw renowned national and international scientists and health care professionals and patient groups share knowledge on the growing (...) NGO disappointed as French government report ignores recommendations on the dangers of pesticides On the 28th April the French Parliamentary office for the evaluation of the scientific and technological choices (OPECST) released their final report on “Pesticides and health”. HEAL members Mouvement pour le droit et le respect des générations futures (MDRGF) and RES – Réseau Environnement Sante have both voiced disappointment in what they believe to be, a weak report that fails to acknowledge new science on the treats to health and the environment from pesticides. The disappointment of (...) PAN Europe launch guide to sustainable pesticide use HEAL member, the Pesticides Action Network Europe (PAN Europe), have published a guide for the sustainable use of pesticides to support EU member states in the production of their National Action Plans (NAP) - as required under the Sustainable Use Directive. As yet, several countries have come up with promising initiatives for reducing pesticide dependency, though none have yet delivered a complete National Action Plan. All EU member states must be proactive in making change happen. (...) Mercury and health Campaigning for a mercury free world This summer an international project has been launched aimed to raise awareness of the health risks of mercury exposure and calling on decision maker to create a strong global mercury treaty. The campaign, “MERCURY-FREE,” is coordinated by the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), of which HEAL is a member. The campaign is supported by a further nine international NGOs. The aims of Mercury Free are three-fold, to; raise awareness about mercury exposure and safer alternatives; (...) International mercury negotiations begin in Stockholm From June 7-11, 2010, International Governments met in Stockholm, Sweden to begin negotiations for a global, legally-binding method to limit mercury usage. This marked the beginning of 3 years of negotiations for a UN treaty - due to be adopted in 2013. Civil society was represented by approximately 55 NGOs from 29 countries which included IPEN member, health sector and anti-dental amalgam groups, and Indigenous Peoples’ organisations. The Conference took decisions on rules of (...) Mercury policy update - May & June 2010 The 1st International Negotiating Conference for a global mercury treaty took place in Stockholm on June 7 – 11, and marks the beginning of 3 years of negotiations for a UN treaty to limit mercury uses. (The Convention is due to be adopted in 2013). NGOs conducted two awareness raising actions during the conference. Read more…. The World Health Organisation stated at the Stockholm meeting that the production of skin lightening cosmetics containing mercury should stop, and expressed an (...) Chemicals Chemicals policy update - May & June 2010 REACH: There are quite a few developments concerning the chemicals on the ‘most harmful’ Candidate List of the new European chemicals legislation. • 8 new chemicals adopted by the Member State Committee in May as ‘Substances of very high concern’ - ECHA soon to officially add them to the List. • 8 existing Candidates, including the phthalate DIBP, proposed by ECHA for the Priority List – this would subject those chemicals to the authorisation process. These proposals will be put up to a (...) HEAL supports call for reducing exposure to BPA On 23rd June 2010, HEAL added its name to a letter to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) calling for a reduction in human exposure to the synthetic chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA). The signatories, which include professors and scientists from US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and UK and more than 40 international and national health groups, welcome the fact that the current review is taking into account a large number of studies in its opinion on BPA due to be published in (...) MEPs urge cancer prevention deal with environmental causes In May we saw the adoption by European parliamentarians (MEPs) of a resolution that recognises the important role of environmental factors in cancer prevention. On the 6th May 2010, the European Parliament adopted a report on the European Commission’s proposal to create a European Partnership for Action Against Cancer for the period 2009-2013 – supporting EU Member States’ efforts to tackle cancer. The resolution distinguishes between primary prevention and early detection/screening, and (...) Pesticides European Parliament Committee strengthens draft biocides law, but concerns remain On the 23 June, the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) voted on some 500 amendments to the Commission’s European Commission’s proposal for a revised EU biocides law. The vote was welcomed by health and environment groups, yet problems remain. NGO were pleased to see the following developments: Special vulnerability of children and pregnant women to the harmful effects of biocides - something that was absent from the original Commission (...) Pesticides & biocides policy update - May & June 2010 On 22nd June, the European Parliament’s Environment (ENVI) Committee voted on its report on the EU Commission’s proposal to revise the current EU Biocides law. Over 500 amendments had been tabled on crucial issues such as the phase out of hazardous biocides and exemptions, EU centralized authorization and nano-biocides. The EP plenary vote is scheduled for September. Read more… HEAL’s ACTION ON PESTICIDES AND BIOCIDES In May and June, as part of the NGO coalition, HEAL sent letters and met (...) Climate Change Climate change policy update - May & June 2010 On 26th May the European Commission formally adopted a new Communication that analyses the economic and policy implications of an EU move to 30% emission reductions target. Read more here From 31st may – 11th June the UNFCCC international climate change talks took place in Bonn (Bonn II). On 11th June the Environment Council met to discuss the Commission’s 30% Communication. The Council Conclusions took note of the Communication, but directed further discussion on the Communication to (...) Commission proposes new EU climate policy The European Commission has released a communication that analyses the economic and policy implications of the EU increasing its greenhouse gas emission reduction target to 30% (compared to those of 1990) instead of the current 20%. The Communication, released by the newly formed Directorate General Climate Action under Commissioner Hedegaard, demonstrates the economic feasibility of reducing the EU’s CO2 emissions from 20% to 30%. Whilst the initial financial investment required will be (...) Air Quality Air quality policy update - May & June 2010 11 EU member states are expected to miss one or more of the legal limits set by the National Emission Ceilings Directive NEC in 2010, according to the European Environment Agency. Meeting the emission ceiling for Nitrogen Oxides NOx, as one of the four pollutants for which NEC sets limits, has been the most difficult one for the countries. The European Commission is pursuing legal action against Italy for failing to comply with EU air quality PM 10 standards. The Commission has sent (...) ESCAPE air pollution research plans launch of results A plenary meeting of the EU-funding ESCAPE (European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects) research project, 14-16 June 2010 in Utrecht included further discussions on the timing of releasing findings. The main results will be available in 2012 as originally envisaged but some first results may be presented in September 2011 at the ISEE (International Society for Environmental Epidemiology) meeting in Barcelona. The research will provide new assessments of the risks for health of (...) Europe on track to exceed air pollutant emission limits In 2010, almost half of the European Union’s Member States will exceed the legal limits of air pollutants. New research from the European Environment Agency (EEA) states that 11 countries expect to exceed their emissions ceilings by significant amounts — some missing Nitrogen oxide (NOx )targets by more than 40 %. Of the four pollutants covered by the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NEC) Directive, EU Member States have the greatest difficulty meeting the emission limits for nitrogen (...) |
| 05/06/2010 | Pesticides and Health e News - Summer 2010 |
| 05/05/2010 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - Summer 2010 |
| 05/04/2010 | Pesticides and Health e News - April 2010 |
| 08/03/2010 | HEAL Newsletter March 2010 Environment and health policy update - March 2010 Environment and Health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer. On 3rd March the European Commission published its 2020 Strategy that sets out a vision of Europe’s social market economy for the 21st century. Five headline targets for 2020 are proposed: meeting the EU’s energy efficiency and climate targets; increasingly employment to 75%; increasing investment for research to 3%, reducing those living in poverty (...) Eye On Earth — Citizen observatory on air and bathing water quality Ever wondered if the water in your area is safe to swim in? Or what the air quality is like on your route to work? Thanks to an innovative new communications platform, millions of citizens throughout Europe can access environmental data from their area as well as update the information themselves. Eye on Earth is a two-way communication platform on the environment which brings together environmental data and scientific information with feedback and observations of millions of ordinary (...) French youth action at Parma Appel de la Jeunesse (Youth call to action) held the first youth and decision-maker conference on health and environment in the National Assembly in Paris on Thursday 26 February in preparation for the Parma conference. Martin Rieussec and Pascal Conges of the Collectif Appel de la Jeunesse have been part of the Europe-wide development of a declaration that was signed in Parma by the ministers of health and environment present at the meeting. The five associations which make up the Appel de (...) About us & our members HEAL Secretariat News March 2010 This month we say goodbye to Alina Bezhenar, our Health and Environment Youth Coordinator. Alina Bezhenar joined us for six months as a CEHAPE youth delegate for WHO. Along with other youth from across the European region, she has helped provide meaningful consultation and contribution by the youth for the 5th Ministerial Conference in March in Parma, Italy. We wish her the best of luck in her future plans. From March, Gill Erskine will take on the newly created post (...) Promoting green health care The health system generates thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, not to mention the wider environmental repercussions - all of which increase year on year. Earlier this month the Economist Online ran an article on greening our health care systems. HEAL member, Health Care Without Harm Europe, provided useful input from the NGO community, highlighting the vision of a health care sector that does no harm and promotes the health of people and the environment. Anja Leetz encourage (...) Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment HEAL member, The Association for Research and treatments Against Cancer (ARTAC’s correspondence on environmental causation of prostate cancer was published in the National Cancer Institute (JINCI). The article highlights that increases in incidence of prostate cancer globally are not only due to the improvement of screening techniques but due to environmental factors. Summary - Re: Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment After the Introduction of Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening: (...) Mercury and health Mercury and health policy update - March 2010 Mercury and health policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more details, please contact Lisette@env-health.org On the 16th March, The European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) voted on the EC Proposed regulation on the provision on food information to consumers – the Sommer report. The committee rejected a proposed change to the legislation on food information to consumers to ensure that fish and fish products are (...) Chemicals Chemicals and health policy update - March 2010 Chemicals and Health, and Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more details, please contact Lisette@env-health.org. The cocktail effect. The European Commission’s Directorate General on Environment has launched its study on the mixtures of chemicals to which humans, animals and the environment are continually exposed and what is known about ‘cocktail’ effects. This study, which examines the state of toxicological science on mixtures and how they are (...) Eight more chemicals proposed for REACH ‘most harmful’ list ; As part of HEAL’s ongoing project Chemicals Health Monitor (CHM) Project each month the HEAL newsletter will feature an article from the project. Chemicals Health Monitor is designed to help people understand the new European system for regulating chemical safety (REACH) enable them to give input about key decisions. The project also provides information to the public to support measures to reduce the harmful effects of hazardous chemicals on health and the environment, and to choose (...) Pesticides Pesticides and health policy update - March 2010 Pesticides and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer, anne@env-health.org On 23rd February, The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) discussed the draft report on the EU Biocides law by rapporteur Christa Klass (PPE, Germany). In the debate, Members of the ENVI Committee stressed the need to improve the Commission proposal and the rapporteur’s draft report (...) Pesticides are poisoning Indonesia’s farmers, new research reveals During the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum last month, the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PANAP) released its report revealing hazardous pesticide use in many parts of Asia. The report, ’Communities in Peril: Asian Regional Report on Community Monitoring of Highly Hazardous Pesticide Use’ uses information from interviews on pesticide use with over 1,300 peasant farmers and agricultural workers from eight Asian (...) Week Without Pesticides, 20th - 30th March 2010 The 20th of March saw the start off the International Week Without Pesticides. The campaign, which started in France four years ago, aims to raise awareness of the risks to health and the environment poised by pesticides and to highlight alternative solutions. With the continuing success of the French campaign, the movement expands to new countries throughout Europe every year. There are now actions and events taking place across Belgium, Macedonia, Hungary as well as parts of Africa, (...) Climate Change Climate change and communicable diseases European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) last week launched a new handbook for national vulnerability, impact and adaptation assessments. Climate change and communicable diseases in the EU Member States was lunched at a side event at the WHO 5th Ministerial on Environment and Health in Parma last week by Chief Scientist Professor Johan Giesecke of the ECDC. Climate change has already had measurable effects on the varied climates of Europe and further changes are (...) Climate change and health policy update – March 2010 Climate change and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Pendo Maro, pendo@env-health.org On 15th March, EU Environment Ministers adopted Council Conclusions on Climate Change, as a follow up to the UN Copenhagen Climate Conference in December. Unfortunately the EU is not considering the health benefits and costs savings of higher carbon emission reductions, and has not changed its position to commit to reducing (...) Air Quality Air quality and health policy update - March 2010 Air Quality and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer. The European Commission is pursuing infringement procedures against 5 Member States for failure to comply with the Air Quality Standards on PM10. Final written warnings have been sent to Cyprus, Portugal and Spain, while Slovenia and Sweden have been referred to the European Court of Justice. HEAL and HEAL members’ action on air quality and (...) Health impacts of air pollution need to be communicated more effectively Reductions in air pollution in European cities significantly reduce the number of premature deaths, according to researchers. However, these results need to be communicated effectively to policy makers in order to have an impact. One of the four main target areas of the EU’s Sixth Environment Action Programme (EAP) is Environment and Health, which includes air pollution. The EU Air Quality Directive has set new air quality objectives for particulate matter 2.5. The EU supported Apheis (...) |
| 05/03/2010 | Pesticides and Health e News - March 2010 |
| 05/03/2010 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - March 2010 |
| 08/02/2010 | Newsletter February 2010 Environment and Health Policy NGOs prepare for Fifth Ministerial Conference on environment and health Now, more than ever, the health of children is threatened by changing environments. Our health systems face increasing challenges, from socio-economic and gender inequalities to extreme climatic events, which must be met with an effective environmental health agenda. At the Fifth Ministerial Conference on environment and health, held in Italy early next month (March 10-12), Ministers of health and the environment, experts and non-governmental organisations from the 53 WHO European (...) Environment and health policy update - February 2010 Environment and Health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer On 9 February, the European Parliament will vote on the new European Commission, after having held hearings with each Commissioner designate. Click below to read a summary of the hearing of the Commissioner-designates for; Climate, Connie Hedegaard’s Health, John Dalli. Article: "Patients first. Consumers first" : Designate Commissioner John (...) UK alliance launched to prevent cancer The Alliance for Cancer Prevention, launched in the United Kingdom in late 2009, aims to challenge the existing perception that the control and treatment of cancer being the best way forward and seeks equal recognition for primary prevention. The Alliance wants the cancer establishment to acknowledge the environmental and occupational risk factors for preventable cancers. Helen Lynn, long time campaigner and the facilitator of the new Alliance, says the initiative aims to provide a robust (...) Youth participation at Parma Young people from seventeen countries of the World health Organization’s European Region met in Brussels in January to build capacity for youth involvement in the upcoming WHO Environment and health conference. Twenty youth representatives met in the HEAL offices in early January for a preparatory seminar in the run up to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 5th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health to be hosted by the Italian Ministry of Health in Parma, 10-12th of March 2010. (...) About us & our members HEAL Secretariat News February 2010 Press releases and media 01/02/2010 Health groups call for 40% target on carbon emissions 14/01/2010 Cancer-linked pesticides used in schools - New survey HEAL media coverage for January 2010 HEAL in the media. Publications Report: Pesticides - a toxic education? a survey of pesticides in UK schools Article: A breath of fresh air? HEAL in Parliament Magazine New newsletter: Pesticides and Health E-News - January 2010 Chemicals Health Monitor February Bulletin Conference and meetings (...) New child injury fact sheets HEAL member, the European Child Safety Alliance have launched a new range of fact sheets on child injury prevention. The new fact sheets cover a range of injury topic themes including water, road, home and leisure, and product safety. Each sheet includes European based data and injury facts, effective prevention measures, and recommended actions and policies. http://www.eurosafe.eu.com/csi/euro... European Child Safety Alliance is a programme of the European Association for Injury (...) New coalition created for safer toys HEAL member organisations WECF and Eco Accord, alongside a group of international health and environment non-governmental organisations have formed a new working group to ensure safe toys for the healthy future of children. The “Safe Toys Coalition” aims to protect children’s health by striving for a world free of toxic and unsafe toys. They address decision makers, producers, retailers and the public on national, regional and international level and help consumers to make informed (...) New project promoting children’s environment and health HEAL member, The Paediatric Cultural Association (ACP), will launch a project to promote children’s environment and health this month (February). “Let’s give a helping hand for a better world” will be run jointly by ACP and the district of Padua. The campaign aims to work with young children from 0-6 years and their families to promote awareness of environment and health issues and the adoption of positive environmental health practices. The project called “Let’s give a helping hand for a (...) Mercury and health Mercury Policy Update - February 2010 Mercury and Health Policy developments- An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more details, please contact Lisette@env-health.org The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) held its first discussion on a proposed law concerning information on food to consumers. HEAL’s action on Mercury and health HEAL and the Zero Mercury Working Group sent a joint letter to Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public (...) Chemicals Bisphenol A Update European Food Safety Authority invites experts to discuss Bisphenol A The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will invite national experts from the EU Member States to a meeting by early April to discuss its ongoing scientific work with regard to bisphenol A (BPA). At the meeting, EFSA, the EU’s food safety watchdog, the will outline its draft opinion on BPA, which is currently being prepared by EFSA’s scientific panel on food contact materials (CEF Panel), prior to its expected (...) Chemicals and health policy update - February 2010 Chemicals and Health Policy developments- An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more details, please contact Lisette@env-health.org The European Commission’s Directorate General on Environment has a forthcoming study on the mixtures of chemicals to which we, animals and the environment are continually exposed and what is known about ‘cocktail’ effects. This study, which examines the state of toxicological science on mixtures and how they are dealt with in EU regulations, will (...) Toxic Matters: helping to avoid hazardous chemicals The Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment’s (PRHE), part of the university of California, have produced a new guide designed to help individuals avoid exposure to toxic substances that are present in our daily lives. Toxic Matters is a non-technical guide, providing evidence-based recommendations for preventing exposure to environmental substances with adverse reproductive and developmental health impacts. (...) Pesticides Campaigners call on pesticides manufacturer to withdraw the most hazardous chemicals The Coalition against Bayer Dangers (CBG), based in Germany, have called on the multinational company Bayer to withdraw their most dangerous pesticides from the world market. The network particularly calls on Bayer to quit sales of all products which contain active ingredients in Class 1 of the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of pesticides. Bayer is the world market leader for pesticides, many of which account for pollution and poisonings all over the world. In 1995 Bayer (...) Pesticides and health policy update - February 2010 Pesticides and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer, anne@env-health.org On 23 February, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee will discuss rapporteur’s Christa Klass draft report on the Revision of the EU Biocides Law. In their Council meeting in December, EU Environment Ministers stressed the criteria for excluding certain hazardous biocides for environmental reasons should be strengthened. (...) Report: Examining DDT’s health effects A team of researchers has documented a variety of urinary and genital malformations in male babies born to women living in an area of South Africa where the potentially endocrine-disrupting pesticide DDT is still used. The team, reporting in a study published in the British Journal of Urology International, believes the malformations may be connected to the mothers’ DDT exposure. A global halt to DDT’s use went into force under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in (...) Climate Change Health groups call for 40% target on carbon emissions HEAL and member organisation, Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWHE), are calling on EU Heads of States to increase the European target on climate change. Health groups are seeking a 40% unconditional emissions reduction target by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. The reductions should be made through domestic action, which they say could bring substantial benefits in improving people’s health and reducing healthcare costs. We issued a joint position statement after the Copenhagen talks in (...) Climate change and health policy update – February 2010 Climate change and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Pendo Maro, pendo@env-health.org 14–17 January – Informal Environment Council: Ministers agreed to pledge a single EU target for reducing Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, rather than individual national targets, to the annex of the Copenhagen Accord. According to the Copenhagen Accord, all industrialised countries are to submit their emissions (...) WHO: Moving on from Copenhagen Healthy people, healthy planet As we all take stock of the implications of the Copenhagen CoP, one lesson is clear. If we are to maintain and expand public and political support to act on climate change, we need the headlines to be more about what we are aiming to achieve, and less about the process. We need to be clear that this is not just about targets and agreements, economy and costs, but about a better future for humanity. In Copenhagen, WHO outlined an additional proposal; to (...) Air Quality Air quality policy update - February 2010 Air Quality and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer The EU Commission has rejected 11 out of 12 requests by Italy to have more time to comply with air quality targets for Particulate Matter PM10. Only the region of Campania is allowed a time extension. The firm stance of the EU Commission is good news for all those suffering from high air pollution levels. Seven new substances were recently added to (...) Report: Linking air quality and climate change can be cost-effective If the effects of air pollution on climate change are included in air quality strategies, efficiency gains of €2.5 billion can be achieved in the EU, according to recent research. Various greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pollutants both affect the climate and air quality, yet climate change and air pollution are often treated separately in environmental policy. Air pollutants are regulated through the Gothenburg Protocol of the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (...) Research: Many air pollutants are higher indoors than outdoors Levels of many harmful air pollutants are higher indoors than outdoors, according to new research conducted within the European Union, released this week (8th February). These latest findings, which identify the main polluters and map their geographical distribution, come from the European Indoor Air Monitoring and Exposure Assessment Project (AIRMEX), an EU funded project. The importance of the health impacts of indoor air pollution is officially recognised in the European Environment (...) US Strengthens Air Quality Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last month (22 January) a new national air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This new one-hour standard will protect millions of Americans from peak short-term exposures, which primarily occur near major roads. Short-term exposures to NO2 have been linked to impaired lung function and increased respiratory infections, especially in people with asthma. “This new one-hour standard is designed to protect the air we breathe and (...) |
| 05/02/2010 | Pesticides and Health e News - February 2010 |
| 05/02/2010 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - February 2010 |
| 05/01/2010 | Pesticides and Health e News - January 2010 |
| 05/01/2010 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - Jaunary 2010 |
| 08/12/2009 | HEAL Newsletter Decemeber 2009 & January 2010 Environment and Health Policy Bridging the science-policy gap: New website for health and environment professionals A new online portal, designed to facilitate the interaction among the actors participating in the health and environment decision process, was launched in November. The HENVINET is a powerful new networking tool designed specifically for the global Environment and Health community. With a range of innovative tools for locating and accessing expertise, knowledge sharing, HENVINET aims to enable a multi-stakeholder approach to addressing the most pressing Environment and Health issues. (...) Environment and health policy update - December 2009 & January 2010 Environment and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. EU Member States and stakeholders met on 3 December to discuss the progress in implementing the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health (EHAP). Member states expressed enthusiasm and support for a second 2010 EU Action Plan, and highlighted that such a plan should include as priorities climate change and health, indoor air quality as well as human biomonitoring. The Commission will issue a Progress (...) HEAL e-News joins forces with WHO public health and environment This month sees the beginning of a partnership between HEAL’s monthly e-News and the Public Health and Environment e-News from the World Health Organization (WHO). Each month HEAL will feature an article from WHO’s Public Health and Environment (PHE) monthly e-News as well as link to their newsletter. In return, PHE will feature an article from HEAL, this month the article will be on the Prescription for a Healthy Planet. PHE provides a comprehensive overview of environmental health within (...) Report: Injuries in the European Union EuroSafe - the European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion - released the latest statistics on injuries due to accidents and violence in the EU. Accidents and violence are a major public health problem, killing more than a quarter of a million people in the EU-27 each year and causing around 42 million injuries that need hospital treatment. Injuries are the fourth most common cause of death, after cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases. Although the (...) Spain, the new EU presidency On January 1st, Spain took over the European Union’s six-month rotating presidency from Sweden. This will be the fourth occasion that Spain has held the Presidency and will be the first presidency under the new Lisbon treaty. In summary, the role of the EU Presidency is threefold, to organise the European Councils, to prepare and preside over the Council of Ministers - the newly-appointed European Council president, Herman Van Rompuy, will chair EU leaders’ meetings - and to represent the (...) About us & our members Ireland hosts 19 countries for discussions on Child Safety Action Plans in Europe The Ministry of Health and Children and the Health Services Executive of Ireland hosted the European Child Safety Alliance and its partners on the Child Safety Action Plan (CSAP) initiative for a two-day meeting on December 2-3. Held in the historic Dublin Castle, the meeting was officially opened by Minister Aíne Brady who welcomed representatives from 19 countries and indicated that Ireland’s performance grade of ‘fair’ on their Child Safety Report Card meant they had work to do on child [(...)>art435] Book: Paediatric evidence in environment and health February 2010 will see the launch of new book highlighting examples and evidence of children’s environment and health. The book will provide examples from leading Paediatricians and aims to emphasis the link between pollution and childhood illnesses, and raise of awareness of preventive healthcare. “Children and Environment: what the Paediatricians say” is the work of the Italian scientific organisation, the Paediatric Cultural Association (ACP). Following the report on children’s (...) HEAL Secretariat News December 2009 and January 2010 Press releases 22/12/2009 Ministers worried about hazardous chemicals cocktails, but postpone action 16/12/09 Tackling the twin threats of climate change and the global health gap 10/12/2009 High level health delegates head to COP15 negotiations 25/11/2009 Health impact of climate change recognised in EP resolution 19/11/2009 Time to pull Mercury out of fillings say health and green groups to W.H.O. Conference and meetings 18th Nov Lisette Van Vliet attended the European Food Science Day (...) HEAL welcomes three new members This month, HEAL welcomes three new provisional member organisations from Hungary, Armenia and France. Their full membership will be confirmed at the next HEAL annual general meeting. We look forward to working with these new members in the coming months and years. Clean Air Action Group Clean Air Action Group is a public benefit organisation based in Hungary, working at national level. Aims of the Clean Air Action Group: • Working to implement the most fundamental human right, the (...) No More BPA Campaign launched in UK and France On December 1st a dual campaign was launched in the UK and France to ban the use of the toxic chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles as there is increasing evidence and concern of risks to health posed by BPA. HEAL members, Breast Cancer UK and Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) met during the October HEAL annual general meeting, and launched the campaign at the beginning of December in the UK and France. BPA is widely used in plastics and has been a growing concern for scientists in many (...) Preventing Obesity in Europe- EUROPREVOB Project HEAL member, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) participated in the final meeting of the EURO-PREVOB project as a policy adviser. The project aims to link scientific knowledge to policy making to reduce the burden of obesity in Europe. The meeting brought together project partners and advisers to discuss the work conducted to date and consider strategies for taking this work forward. Partners involved in this project include the WHO Europe Office and the London School of Hygiene & (...) Chemicals Chemicals and health policy update - December 2009 & January 2010 Chemicals and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. The Swedish Presidency of the European Union Council is leading discussions on exposures to Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) and the need to take into account the combined effects of hazardous chemicals, particularly EDCs. Read HEAL and partner’s response to the conclusions from the December Environment Ministers Council (22nd Dec) "Ministers worried about hazardous chemicals cocktails, but postpone action" (...) Human biomonitoring at European level takes shape A consortium to perform human biomonitoring at European scale (COPHES) met in Brussels, Belgium on 1st and 2nd December 2009. This consortium comprises 35 partners coming from 27 European countries and includes governments, research institutes, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Chemical Industry council (CEFIC). COPHES will be funded by the EU under the 7th Framework Programme of the Directorate General (...) REACH candidate list will expand to 30 substances of very high concern The most recent fifteen substances of very high concern that were proposed by individual member states to be added to the Candidate List have been unanimously accepted by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) member state committee. However, HEAL has advocated for a faster pace for the addition of chemicals to the Candidate List, given that hundreds of chemicals have already been identified as meeting the criteria for addition to the List, and to make the right-to-know principle in REACH, (...) Pesticides Pesticides and health policy update - December 2009 & January 2010 Pesticides and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. The legal texts of the pesticides regulation and directive were published in the EU Official Journal on 24 Nov. This marks the important starting point for when both laws become legally binding: the regulation entered into force on 14 Dec, and applies from 14.06.2011. The Directive on the Sustainable use of pesticides has already entered into force, and EU Member States must comply with it by 14 (...) Scientists find more health implications on pesticide use in agriculture A new report published in the scientific journal, the Lancet, in December reveals unexpected health effects of wide pesticide use in agriculture. Researchers at Nijmegen University in the Netherlands have carried out 15 years of research on resistant funghi (part of the azoles-group). These funghi cause serious lung problems in humans which can often be life-threatening as the existing medicines not function anymore. This latest report, ‘Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus: a (...) What’s for Christmas dinner? How does food industry respect EU pesticide limits As Christmas approaches, HEAL member, PAN Europe has asked if the fresh food on Europe’s dining tables is safe. Its survey, in four EU countries this autumn, shows that most produce sampled had multiple traces of harmful pesticides, often several times maximum permitted doses. Two samples had illegal substances. “We’re appalled at the contempt growers, retailers and government are showing for public health”, said Gergely Simon, a PAN Europe board member. “Parents are feeding children (...) Climate Change Climate change and health policy update – December 2009 & January 2010 Climate change and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. European Parliament Resolution on Climate change: voting results In a plenary vote on its Resolution on Climate Change on the 24th November, the European Parliament recognised the need to consider public health, as well as the co-benefits of emission reductions to global health. In their press release, MEPs emphasised that an agreement in Copenhagen could stimulate a ’Sustainable New Deal’ boosting (...) Health impacts of climate change in the media In the run up to the Copenhagen summit this month, we saw an upsurge in articles related to health and climate change in the mainstream press. HEAL have compiled a list of a few of the best, including an article on the Lancet’s recent research on health and climate change and a BMJ news story about the amendment that meant health was mentioned in the European Parliament’s resolution on climate change. British Medical Journal A British Medical Journal editorial last week asked Will a global (...) Air Quality Commission decisions object to Member State requests for more time to comply with EU air quality legislation On 12th December, The European Commission adopted three decisions concerning requests from three EU member states for additional time to comply with EU legislation on air quality. The decisions relate to requests made by Bulgaria, Poland and the United Kingdom for temporary exemptions in 97 zones from the EU’s air quality standards for dangerous airborne particles known as PM 10. The vast majority of air quality zones in the EU did not satisfy the conditions for a time extension, or were (...) |
| 05/12/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - December 2009 |
| 10/11/2009 | HEAL Newsletter - November 2009 Environment and Health Policy Environment and health policy update - November 2009 Environment and Health Policy developments - An overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. Human Biomonitoring week - Nov 30th - Dec 2nd This week will see the kick off of the Human Biomonitoring programme - COPHES (Consortium to Perform Human biomonitoring) on a European Scale. DG Environment - Consultative Forum on Environment and Health, Dec 3rd HEAL and many of HEAL members have participated in the Consultative Forum since it was created in 2004 to give strategic and (...) HEAL launches environment and health blog for young people The beginning of November saw the launch of HEAL’s Health and Environment blog for Youth. The blog will bring together young people from around the world to discuss issues around environment and health and will help to highlight youth activities and opinions. Youth are the present - not just the future Increasingly, young people are becoming integral to the decision-making process. Youth delegates participate in high-level preparatory meetings, raising awareness of issues that affect (...) About us & our members European Commission seeks to tackle health inequalities The European Commission states that health must be given a higher priority among the European Union’s various policies and funding programmes, to raise standards throughout the continent. HEAL member, The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), sees this latest move as a positive opportunity to redirect the focus of EU priorities and spending. On October 20th the Commission released a long awaited communication taking the first steps to tackle health inequalities within and between Member (...) HEAL Secretariat News November 2009 Publications New Campaign: Prescription for a Healthy Planet Prescription for a Healthy Planet The role of global decision makers Giant Prescription for the global launch Recommendations concerning international climate change talks, Barcelona 2-6 November, 2009 - Bringing the health dimension into current UNFCCC negotiating text Briefing and recommendations concerning - Commission Communication. Stepping up international finance: a European blueprint for the Copenhagen deal (...) Letters sent to EU Environmental Ministries asking for tighter control over chemicals In October, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) wrote letters to Environmental Ministries in Germany, France and The Netherlands asking them to set ambitious standards for chemicals during the revision of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) The RoHS Directive on the restrictions of hazardous chemicals in electrical and electronic equipment (2002/95/EC) is currently under review. In October, the WECF sent letters to the German, French and Dutch Ministry of (...) Report - Many cancers linked to environmental factors In a report published this month, The Association for Research and Treatments Against Cancer (ARTAC) states that the majority of cancers may be linked to factors external to the body. The report, ‘Basic properties and molecular mechanisms of exogenous chemical carcinogens’ was published in the American Journal Carcinogenesis in November. The authors, Philippe Irigaray and Dominique Belpomme, found that most cancers are exogenous, caused by external factors, rather than endogenous, caused (...) Report - Improving school sanitation in a sustainable way In the European Region (of 53 countries), 120 million people do not have access to safe drinking water, and even more lack access to hygienic sanitary facilities. Better management of water and sanitation would prevent over 30 million cases of water-related disease per year in the region. HEAL member, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF), have released a report on how to improve school sanitation in sustainable way. Little is known about access to adequate water supply and safe (...) Tackling inequalities in home safety The European Child Home Safety Conference, hosted by Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and HEAL member, the European Child Safety Alliance, took place on November 2nd and 3rd in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Over 100 child safety experts from across Europe attended the conference, representing nearly 20 European countries. Injuries which occur in the home are one of the leading causes of death of European children 0 to 14 years of age. Children from lower income (...) Chemicals Chemicals policy update - November 2009 Chemicals policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. The Swedish Presidency of the European Union Council is leading discussions on exposures to Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) and the need to take into account the combined effects of hazardous chemicals, particularly EDCs. The so-called ‘Cumulative effects’ are not explicitly included in EU risk assessments, including REACH. HEAL is following developments and advocating for strong conclusions at the December (...) Open Letter: The precautionary principle and chemicals In November, Pink Ribbon, the online breast cancer awareness magazine, published a letter on the application of the precautionary principle for known cancer causing chemicals. Pink Ribbon Magazine aims to ensure that awareness does not stop outside of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a major online cancer magazine known to receive funds from the private sector, it is encouraging to see the publication of the following open letter from the Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign. Letter posted (...) Pesticides Cancer organisation announces position on non-cosmetic pesticides In November, the Canadian Cancer Society, a national community-based organisation of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer, announced their official position on non-cosmetic pesticides in November. In a recent statement, the CCS states that when pesticides are needed in non-cosmetic settings, they should be part of a plan to control pests that includes pest prevention, using pesticides in the lowest (...) Commission lowers maximum residue levels for 11 pesticides Following safety concerns of eleven pesticide active substances because of safety concerns, the European Commission has adopted a regulation to lower the maximum residue levels (MRLs). The move comes after recent research from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) highlighted a variety of safety concerns over the pesticide ingredients. New information on toxicology, consumer exposure and residue levels led EFSA to call for the reduction of MRLs, this would provide protection to the (...) Pesticides and health policy update - November 2009 Pesticides policy developments - A overview of policy developments in the EU. In the European Parliament work has started on the Revision of the EU Biocides Law. On 4 November, the EP’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety held its first exchange of view. MEPs raised concerns about the safety and protection against hazardous biocides. Key issues will be the cut-off for hazardous biocides, mutual recognition of biocides products and including nano biocides in the new law. (...) Climate Change High level health delegation at the Copenhagen Climate Summit HEAL and our member organisation, Health Care Without Harm, will bring a high level health delegation to the climate talks in Copenhagen next month. The united voice of the health community will help to bring home one message: Global leaders must avert a global public health crisis now by abating climate change - this is a number one priority in Copenhagen and beyond. Over the last two months HEAL, together with HCWH, have presented our ’Prescription for a Healthy Planet’ to European and (...) Climate change and health policy update – November 2009 Climate change Policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU On the 24th November the European Parliament will vote on the Parliament’s Resolution on climate change and discussions around the EU negotiation position. EU Environment Ministers will meet at an extraordinary Environment Council on 23 November to discuss, among other issues, the EU’s position for Copenhagen. During the UNFCCC Barcelona negotiations this month, HEAL and HCWH E focused on [(...)>art501] UNFCCC Barcelona negotiations: Prescribing for a healthy planet During the Barcelona UNFCCC negotiations, some of the world’s largest medical, nursing and public health organisations called on world leaders to take bold action to address climate change. At the final climate change negotiations before the Copenhagen summit, HEAL and Health Care Without Harm launched the second stage of their campaign push for a binding climate change treaty that protects the health of the planet and the people. At the well attended press conference, a giant placard, (...) Air Quality Campaign: Soot free for the climate German environmental and consumer associations have launched a campaign to address the climatic and health effects of soot. Launched in March of this year, the campaign – ‘Soot free for the climate’ aims to highlight both the well known threats to health posed by soot, or black carbon, along side the many long time underestimated problems it causes to the climate. The campaign was launched by four leading German environmental and consumer associations - Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz (...) |
| 05/11/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - November 2009 |
| 05/10/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - October 2009 |
| 10/09/2009 | HEAL Newsletter September - October 2009 Environment and Health Policy Competition: 2nd Children’s environmental health project competition Five years after the launch of the “Children Environmental and Health Action Plan for Europe” (CEHAPE), we are now seeking entries to the second CEHAPE Good Practice Awards. In March 2010, the Fifth Conference of Ministers on Environment and Health - "Protecting Children’s Health in a Changing Environment" - will take place in Parma, Italy. The Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health is the next milestone in the European environment and health process. Focused on protecting (...) Environment and health policy update - October 2009 Environment and Health Policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. The WHO European Environment and Health Committee (EEHC) meets on October 14-15 in Parma Italy to discuss preparations for the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health Civil society exhibition in the European Parliament featured Green 10 concept note and exhibition table on Nature and Health which calls for a second EU Environment and Health Action Plan. Read more about the (...) Why the precautionary approach is needed for environmental health risks Speaking in Paris on 12 October, David Gee of the European Environment Agency announced that the second edition of his important book on the precautionary approach would be available in spring 2010. It would include the following examples of the need to use the precautionary approach: BPA, nanotechnology, lead in petrol, mercury in the Mimamata disaster, GMOs, and EMFs amongst others. The original version of "Late lessons from early warnings: the precautionary principle 1896-2000" (...) About us & our members Guidance: sustainable and safe school sanitation To underline the importance of sustainable and safe school sanitation, HEAL member WECF, has published a guildlines on how to provide hygienic, affordable and indoor sanitation in areas without a functioning waste water system. School sanitation is an important but often neglected issue for public health. Children are most vulnerable and affected by poor sanitation conditions. Related diseases, particularly diarrhoea and parasite infections hinder the children´s physical and intellectual (...) HEAL Secretariat News September - October 2009 Staff changes This month we welcome three new faces to the HEAL team – Anne Stauffer, Alison Cohen and Alina Bezhenar. Anne Stauffer as joined HEAL as Policy Manager. Anne will be coordinating HEAL’s overall policy input into the EU decision-making process, HEAL representation, operation and programme management, as well as supporting HEAL’s member organisations in strengthening their policy and advocacy capacity. Before joining HEAL, Anne worked as a research and policy coordinator in (...) International Conference on Children’s Environment and Health - Call for abstracts and registration The 5th International Conference on Children’s Environment and Health offers a worldwide platform dealing with health problems of children caused by important environmental influences. Bangalore 1st of February – 3rd February 2010 This conference, the fifth after Amsterdam (1998), Washington (2001), London (2004) and Vienna (2007) is initiated by HEAL member, the International Network on Children’s Health, Environment and Safety (INCHES) - in collaboration with the H.P.Foundation in (...) Research: key mechanisms of pesticide-induced cancer ARTAC (the Association for Research and Treatments Against Cancer) have recently published new research on the effects of pesticides on the rise of cancer incidence in the West Indies. Prostate and breast cancers have become frequent in Martinique. The study reveals that the growth curves of incidence rates for Martinique and metropolitan France have been significantly diverging since 1983. They suggest that among possible environmental factors in Martinique, the intensive and prolonged (...) Short film on EDCs and breast cancer HEAL member, Breast Cancer UK have released a new video on endocrine disrupting chemicals and their links to breast cancer. The 5 minute video forms part of Breast Cancer UK’s ongoing No More Breast Cancer campaign, that began in 2005. As part of this push, they will soon also be launching a campaign calling for the banning of the use of Bisphenol-A from baby and toddler (...) Test your nest: New kit to test air quality in your home The Nesting campaign - a project of Women in Europe for a Common Future, aiming to help new parents make a safe home environment for their children - has launched its second phase of the campaign to test the nest. Test your nest offers new parents a unique opportunity to test the air quality in their homes and especially the air in their baby’s room. The kit will be provided to families in five European countries (UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Greece) and measures pollutants [(...)>art514] Chemicals Chemicals and health policy update – October 2009 Chemicals policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. The European Chemicals Agency is running a public consultation until mid October on the 15 new proposed chemicals of ‘very high concern’ under REACH. The phthalate DIBP, proposed for its property of being toxic to reproduction, is one of the 15. These chemicals, if / when officially adopted, go on to the Candidate List, and become subject to consumer right to know disclosures (see weblink to chm take (...) Interview with Prof. Christopher Wild, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) In June 2009, HEAL interviewed Professor Christopher Wild to find out its opinion on the links between cancer and the environment and what evidence is being delivered by the compelling science. Lisette van Vliet, HEAL´s Toxics Policy Advisor, asked him three questions: You can watch the interview on YouTube Professor Wild was elected as a new director of the International Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC) in May 2008 and took office on 1 January 2009 for a five-year term. To find (...) REACH: the second list of ‘very harmful’ chemicals is proposed The European Chemicals Agency have published a list of proposed new chemicals to be added to the REACH list of Substances of Very High Concern. On the 1st September, the ECHA released the list of 15 new chemicals to be added to the REACH list of Substances of Very High Concern. The chemicals comprise substances that negatively affect human health (carcinogenic, mutagenic, and/or reprotoxic, or CMR) and that negatively affect the environment (persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) (...) Pesticides Council vote to adopt pesticides regulations On the 24th September that European Council of Ministers voted to adopt three major pieces of pesticide legislation – including the long awaited pesticides framework directive and the regulation on the authorization of pesticides. The regulation and the framework directive were originally proposed by the European Commission in Summer 2006. They were then passed by the European Parliament in January of this year, in a second reading agreement with Council. Finally, after months of (...) Pesticides and health policy update – October 2009 Pesticides policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. The revision of the Biocides Directive (non agricultural use of a plant/fungicide) also is now in the European Parliament this autumn. Key issues will be what sorts of criteria are developed to exclude certain biocides from use, such as PBTs (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic), Endocrine Disruptors (with what definition) and with what exceptions. On September 24th, the Council of Ministers voted (...) Climate Change Climate change and health policy update – October 2009 Climate change Policy developments - A overview of up-coming policy developments in the EU. This month will see the European Parliament Resolution on climate change and discussions around the EU negotiation position. The Council will be discussing the newly released proposals on the EU’s contribution to climate change financing. HEAL will keep you posted on their progress. Watch the vote on October 19th in the Parliament’s Environment Committee to see if MEPs support amendments on health (...) Global warming is more harmful for people with respiratory problems, specialists warn The estimated increase in the risk of premature death among people with respiratory problems that would result from a 1°C rise in global temperature is more than double that in the rest of the population, states HEAL member, the European Respiratory Society (ERS). As pressure mounts on governments to agree tougher measures to tackle climate change at negotiations in Copenhagen, ERS urge policy makers and health professionals to pay greater attention to the effects of global warming on (...) Air Quality Protocol on pollutant release registers to enter force An international protocol for recording and reporting emissions of 86 pollutants from industrial facilities and other sources, such as traffic, will enter force on 8 October following France’s ratification of the law in July. Aiming to improve public access to information on the environment and thus contribute in the long term to the prevention and reduction of pollution, the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR was agreed in 2003. Over the past few months France, the (...) |
| 05/09/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - September 2009 |
| 05/08/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor - August 2009 |
| 05/07/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - July 2009 |
| 30/06/2009 | HEAL Newsletter May-June 2009 A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe. Environment and Health Policy EU urged to take health delegation to climate change talks Less than 1% of the official participants in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are from the health sector. Yet national health leaders and officials will be in the front line in dealing with future health crises associated with climate change (...) Environment groups: European Commission off target The environmental record of the outgoing European Commission is worryingly off target, states the latest assessment of the Barroso Commission by ‘Green 10’ coalition of leading environmental organisations. The report, released on the 10th June, gave the Commission an overall mark of 4.4/10. The ‘Green 10’, of whom HEAL are a member, examined successes and failures in 12 policy areas that impact the environment, and set out a checklist for the next Commission. They blamed the low score (...) New MEPs are important allies for the environment and health movement Regardless of the final outcome of last week’s European Election, MEPs remain important allies to the environment and health movement. As democratically-elected representatives of citizens in 27 countries of the EU, they aim to reflect the public interest of their electorate. Despite voter turn-out being at an all time low we hope that the new MEPs will continue to play a leading role in protecting health and the environment through the legislative process. Through the previous (...-) About us & our members HEAL Secretariat News May - June 2009 Staff changes At the end of May, we said goodbye to Christian Farrar Hockley, Senior Policy Officer, and Hana Kuncova, Chemicals Health Monitor Project Coordinator. Chris is moving with his family to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hana round the corner to the European Parliament. The HEAL team are sad to see them go and wish them the best of luck for their new positions. Publications Report: Healthy Hospitals, Healthy Planet, Healthy People: Addressing climate change in health care settings (...) Women in Europe for a Common Future celebrates 15th anniversary HEAL member, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) celebrates its 15 year anniversary with a conference on "Innovation for sustainability; the crisis as opportunity". The conference will take place in The Hague on June 10, 2009. Experts in the fields of economics, politics, science and technology will clarify the major issues about the fundamental causes of the current economic crisis and how this may create an opportunity for a more sustainable world.. The emphasis of the debate will (...) Mercury and health New report reveals chlorine production can harm children Old-fashioned chlorine chemical plants contribute to mercury pollution linked to IQ deficits in children, suggests an new report. Hidden Costs: Reduced IQ from Chlor-Alkali Plants Harms the Economy was released in May by Oceana, a US based marine conservation organization. The report finds that four chemical plants in the US use out of date methods to produce chlorine and caustic soda. These methods release large quantities of mercury into the air. Mercury-cell technology has been (...) Chemicals Commission calls for data on child-appealing chemical consumer products The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has launched a consultation on the risks of certain consumer products. They call for the submission of information on potential health risks posed by food-imitating and child-appealing chemical consumer products, such as shower gels, shampoos, body lotions and soaps. The submissions deadline is 3 July. Food-imitating and child-appealing chemical consumer products, such as shower gels, shampoos, body lotions, soaps, liquid (...) First of Europe’s most harmful chemicals proposed for strict control The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has issued its first recommendation for harmful chemicals that should undergo Europe’s new strict ‘authorisation’ process. EU member states have adopted an opinion supporting the recommendation. The ECHA recommends that seven substances of very high concern should be subject to use and market access only with explicit authorisation under the EU’s REACH law. This decision, backed by member states, was further supported by environment and health public (...) Governments agree to reduce use of persistent chemicals (POPs) Government delegates to the United Nations’ Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have added nine new chemicals to its list of substances that governments must control. Environmental NGOs have welcomed the move but are disappointed by the inadequacy and inconsistency of control measures approved for three the listed chemicals. Delegates at the meeting, held in Geneva in May, discussed the inclusion of nine new chemicals in Stockholm’s blacklist. This move would (...) Male reproductive health under threat The report, commissioned by HEAL’s partner organization CHEM Trust is entitled Male Reproductive Health Disorders and the Potential Role of Exposure to Environmental Chemicals . It is written by one of the world’s leading experts in reproductive biology, Professor Richard Sharpe of the Medical Research Council (MRC) in Edinburgh, UK. Scientists now think that birth defects of boy’s genitals, low sperm counts and testicular cancer, collectively called Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome (TDS), (...) New online environmental medicine education resources New environmental medicine education resources were released in May by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). ATSDR is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services providing health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances. In May they launched their Environmental Health and Medicine Education training portal. The new portal provides updated and redesigned educational materials for health (...) Pesticides EPA pesticide testing needs overhauled The US Environmental Protection Agency have come under fire from leading NGOs for its outdated testing program of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. It is feared that the numerous holes in the current programme fail to detect many serious effects on human development. The Environmental Protection Agency is ready to start testing 67 pesticide ingredients for their possible endocrine disruption effects. However, the US based not for profit, scientific organisation, the Endocrine Disruption (...) New report calls for the EU to eliminate obsolete pesticide stocks The European Institutions must push for international action to reduce obsolete pesticides and their risks to human health and the environment, according to a new report published by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). Obsolete pesticides are excess pesticides that can no longer be used either because they have deteriorated during storage or because their use has since been banned. These pose significant risks to human health and the environment, particularly in countries (...) Climate Change Commission’s Green Week 2009 focuses on climate change The biggest annual conference on European environment policy is just around the corner, this year it will focus on the multi-faceted challenges of climate change. The European Commission’s Green Week will be held on the 23rd-26th of June in Brussels. With the global climate summit in December looming, this year’s Green Week - named Climate change: act and adapt - will focus on the challenges of reaching a new global deal to control climate change. Over the course of the three days, (...) New report calls for holistic approach to climate change A new report offering recommendations to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable countries and communities was released last month by the international Commission on Climate Change and Development. The report, Closing the Gaps, was presented at the United Nations on the 14th May. The work of the Commission has focused on adaptation to climate change and disaster risk reduction. Closing the Gaps, their final report was presented to Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon in (...) Public Participation Greener and Wiser; A new report from the older generation The environmental movement is typically seen as the younger person’s domain, with the views and concerns of older people often being ignored. However, according to UK NGO, age should not be a barrier to being green. The Greener and Wiser Taskforce’s manifesto, launched in the UK on the 11th May, sheds light on the impressive potential of older people to help build more sustainable communities. The Taskforce, made up of 10 older people from around the UK, has produced their manifesto with (...) New French Youth Group calls for focus on Environment and Health On Saturday May 30 a new french youth group, Appel de la Jeunesse (The Call of Youth) held a round table debate at the European College of Ostéopathy in Paris. The Appel de la Jeunesse issued the following statement, setting the scene for the debate: We, the youth, do not accept: that around us our parents, our close relations and even our peers, are touched by cancer; that more and more young people experience difficulty in conceiving a child; that as new parents, our children ([...>art988]) More issues International Workshop on Non-Ionizing Radiation The health effects of electromagnetic fields are of concern among a growing number of scientists, medical doctors and citizens worldwide. Since the mid 1990s, humankind is becoming more reliant and more exposed to manmade electro magnetic fields (EMF) from electric power and wireless communications sources as part of daily life. A workshop entitled "International Non-Ionizing Radiation and Health Workshop", was held on Monday 18th May and Tuesday 19th May 2009 in Brazil. Sponsored by the (...) NGOs disappointed with Nano outcome of international conference Plans to address the risks posed by nanotechnology agreed at recent UN meeting are insufficient and vague, according to NGOs. Countries, industries and non-governmental organisations met in Geneva this May to further develop a policy framework for sound management of chemicals, under the banner of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). Nanotechnology was one of main emerging issues discussed at the meeting. Delegates agreed to focus future work to reduce (...) Transport noise – the health impacts of noise pollution Whilst living in cities, near airports or road and rail links, might prove useful for the commute, the noise levels can sometimes be too much to bear. A growing body of research reveals, transport noise can cause sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disease, elevated hormone levels, psychological problems and even premature death; studies on children have identified cognitive impairment, worsened behaviour and diminished quality of life. The European Commission acknowledges that traffic (...) US Doctors call for immediate moratorium on GM foods "GM foods pose a serious health risk”, states a new report from the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM). The position paper, released on the 19th May, calls for physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid genetically modified foods (GM) and provide educational materials concerning health risks. The AAEM calls for a moratorium on GM foods, long-term independent studies, and labelling. Citing many animal studies that indicate serious (...) |
| 05/05/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - May 2009 |
| 05/04/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - April 2009 |
| 01/04/2009 | Newsletter April 2009 A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe Environment and Health Policy G8 identifies focus on children’s environmental health A recent Environment Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Eight (G8) major industrialised countries showed renewed focus on children’s health as a fundamental objective of environmental protection and sustainable development. The meeting, held in Siracusa, Italy on April 22-24 2009 was attended by Environment Ministers and senior officials from G8 countries and the European Commission, as well as officials from Brazil, People’s Republic of China, India, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, (...) Third High-level Preparatory Meeting to the 2010 Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health HEAL delegates attended the third high level meeting of the WHO-led environment and health process on 27-29 April in Bonn, Germany. The meeting was the last in a series of meetings in preparation for the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, to be held in Parma, Italy, in 2010. Over 100 representatives from health and environment ministries across the 53 countries in the WHO European Region met to hammer out the final details of the Ministerial Declaration, and discuss (...) About us & our members Child Safety Report Cards launched for 24 Member States On 6 May, HEAL member the European Child Safety Alliance with the support of Commissioner Vassiliou, Commissioner Kuneva and MEP Chair of Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee Arlene McCarthy launched the Child Safety Report Cards for 24 Member States in Europe and the Child Safety Report Card 2009 Europe summary for 24 countries. You can view the report cards and press release at www.childsafetyeurope.org. Despite injury reductions and safety improvements achieved by many (...) EFA holds its 13th Annual Conference on 12 - 14 June 2009 EFA holds its 13th Annual Conference on 12 - 14 June 2009. The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA), a HEAL member, is hosting the annual conference in Rome, on 12-14 June 2009. This is run simultaneously with the WHO Global Alliance against Respiratory Diseases (GARD) Assembly and followed by the first ever Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patient World Conference – all of which take place in Rome. EFA’s 13th conference, ‘Allergy & (...) EPHA reaction on European Parliament vote for patient’s rights The European Parliament voted to adopt a report that will give patients the possibility to travel throughout Europe in order to receive healthcare. The vote, passed on the 24th April, builds on over ten years of rulings from the European Court of Justice, the Directive is now closer to realisation following adoption of the report by 297 votes for, 120 against and 152 abstention. Founding HEAL member, The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) has broadly supported the proposed Directive (...) HEAL Member wins award for environmental activism A Russian scientist who has transformed the NGO community in Eastern Europe and beyond, has been honured for her inspiring work. Since the early 1990s, Olga Speranskaya, a physician and director of HEAL member Eco-Accord, has worked tirelessly to establish a strong voice of civil society that identifies and eliminates the Soviet legacy of toxic chemicals in the environment. This month, her remarkable story was celebrated by the receipt of the Goldman Environmental Prize. Speranskaya (...) HEAL new member organisations, March and April 2009 HEAL new member organisations, March and April 2009 In March and April 2009, three new organizations were granted provisional membership of HEAL: Health Care Without Harm Europe is an international coalition of hospitals and health care systems, medical professionals, community groups, health-affected constituencies, labor unions, environmental and environmental health organizations and religious groups. Their mission is to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising (...) HEAL Secretariat News April 2009 Staff changes In April, Dr Pendo Maro has joined the HEAL team as a Senior Climate and Energy Advisor. This joint post is part of our strategic partnership with Health Care Without Harm Europe around climate change and health, which aims to build on the synergies and expertise of our two networks at this critical junction leading up to the global climate change negotiations in Copenhagen at the end of the year, and beyond. Pendo comes with extensive knowledge in European environmental (...) WECF symposium on substitution of hazardous chemicals A symposium, addressing the issue of substitution of hazardous chemicals, was held in the Dutch capital the Hague in April. The meeting, organised by HEAL member Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) and the Dutch Ministry of the Environment in cooperation with employers union VNO/NCW and the chemical industry, sought to address how to facilitate the replacement of harmful chemicals from everyday products. Within the new European Chemicals Regulation - REACH - a list of chemicals (...) Mercury and health EU scientific committee looks for mercury alternatives April saw EU scientists actively seeking advice on possible alternatives to a pollutant that threatens the health of millions, from humans, animals to ecosystems. The EU’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) is currently undergoing research into the possible substitutes to mercury-containing sphygmomanometers. Under a 2007 directive (Directive 2007/51/EC) the use of mercury in thermometers and other measuring devices intended for public sale was (...) Chemicals French network responds to Health Minister on BPA Professors Ana Soto and Carlos Sonnenschein from Tufts University, Boston presented "The indisputable scientific evidence of the toxicity of bisphenol A" at a press conference and public meeting in Paris on Monday, 27 April 2009. Organised by the Reseau Environment Sante, the aim was to send a clear message to the French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot who recently told the National Assembly that reliable studies show bisphenol A (BPA) to be harmless. Ana Soto, professor of cellular (...) HEAL and other NGOs react to French Minister’s BPA statement In April, the Health & Environment Alliance, Women in Europe for a Common Future and the European Environment Bureau responded with an open letter to a recent statement from the French Minister for Health on Bisphenol A (BPA). The French Minister for Health recently stated that the Canadian ban of BPA was not based on scientific research. In a recent address to French Deputies, Madame Roselyne Bachelot stated that the Canadian decision to ban to the dangerous substance Bisphenol A (BPA) (...) New film on toxic-free future Every day people unknowingly expose themselves to toxic chemicals. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web. In April, a new film was launched to highlight the problem of POPs that pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. This new animation, designed by the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), of which HEAL is a member, is designed to help the consumer (...) REACH outs chemical risk potential: Euronews story on EU chemicals policy The pan-European television news channel Euronews broadcast a special feature on the implementation of EU chemicals legislation REACH on 2 May. The Health and Environment Alliance was mentioned by name having contributed ideas and information, and worked closely with Euronews in the realisation of the feature. HEAL’s Policy Advisor Lisette Van Vliet appears at both the beginning and the end of the feature. Spokespeople also include representatives from ChemSec, industry and a Swedish (...) Pesticides Spring is in the air - and so are pesticides... Now that the weather is warming up, we are all spending more time outside - walking and taking the children to public playgrounds. Unfortunately, many of us are worried about the regular pesticide spraying that takes place in parks, public gardens, schools and even on pavements to stop the weeds growing in the cracks between paving stones (...) Fears over pesticide exposure in the month of conception New research reveals that babies conceived in the spring and summer are more likely than others to be born with birth defects. One possible cause is the levels of pesticides in surface water happen to peak at the same time. The study, published in the US medical journal Acta Pædiatrica links the increasing number of birth defects in children of women whose last menstrual period occurred in April through July to elevated levels of nitrates, atrazine and other pesticides in surface water (...) New research links Parkinson’s to pesticides Those living near fields where pesticides are sprayed are 75% more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. In a new study from the University of California (UCLA), researchers report that strong evidence points to an association between the neurodegenerative disorder and pesticides. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder, typically affecting motor skills and speech. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting more than 1 per 1000 people (...) New study investigates cancer rates in French farming communities A French cohort study on agriculture and cancer (AGRICAN) has been launched to examine possible links between the prevalence of certain cancers within farming communities in France. The study aims to identify different factors responsible for cancer incidence amongst the agricultural community and follows an earlier small-scale study which revealed these potential patterns. According to the AGRICAN team, it is possible that cancer of the brain, prostate, and stomach, as well as leukaemia (...) Pesticides linked to childhood brain cancers There is much grey matter surrounding causes of brain cancer in children, but there is increasing evidence indicating that a culprit may be pre-birth pesticide exposure. In a new study released by the National Institute of Health Sciences, herbicide use appeared to cause an elevated risk for cancer. The study found that children living in homes where their parents use pesticides are twice as likely to develop brain cancer versus those that live in residences in which no pesticides are (...) Climate Change EU plan targets health problems of climate change The European Commission has published a plan detailing the impacts of climate change on health and outlining the role of the health sector and the needed adaptation measures. The plan was launched as a Staff Working Document on 1st April at the same time as the EU’s White Paper on Climate Change Adaptation and outlines EU plans for tackling all emergency and health-related problems associated with climate change. The Working Document - "Human, Animal and Plant Health Impacts of Climate (...) EU Transport Sector at the Crossroads? EEA calls for measures to cut emissions Europe’s transport emissions are showing no sign of decreasing according to the 2008 "Term" report presented by European Environment Agency (EEA) at the European parliament in March. The report – Transport at a crossroads. TERM 2008: indicators tracking transport and environment in the European Union - highlights that greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from the EU transport sector rose 26 per cent between 1990 and 2006. Unofficial data for 2006-2008 shows little sign of improvement. Currently (...) European Parliament’s vote on Energy Performance of Buildings Directive The European Parliament voted for all new houses, offices and shops built in the European Union to produce the same amount of energy they consume. The vote, which was passed on the 23rd April, calls for an overall deadline of 2019 for all new buildings, with all new public buildings given an earlier deadline of 2016. The vote is in response to the revision of the directive aimed at improving energy performance in buildings. The revision provides an opportunity to strengthen the existing (...) New project seeks to help EU cut transport emissions The end of March saw the first stakeholder meeting of a project seeking to address EU transport emissions. As rising greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) within the EU transport sector seek to jeopardize the EU’s emission reduction targets, a new DG Environment funded project – ‘EU transport GHG: routes to 2050?’ tries to understand why this is happening, and how it can be resolved. A project managed by AEA and CE Delft, ‘EU transport GHG: routes to 2050?’ will run until March 2010 and aims (...) Air Quality HEAL launches new damp and mould directory In Europe, an estimated 10-50% of the indoor environments where human beings live, work and play are damp. Excessive dampness, moisture and condensation are a threat to health. To help individuals find out more about indoor air quality and its impact on health, HEAL has compiled a directory of organisations providing information and remedial action on damp and mould. Mould produces allergens, which can cause allergic reactions, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances. (...) New guidance on biomass and air quality in England and Wales New guidelines have been developed to help local authorities manage the effects of wood burning on air quality. The NGO Environmental Protection UK and the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) have developed guidance for local authorities on biomass and air quality and are now inviting views on the draft guidance document and accompanying tools. The guidance provides background material on the issues involved, and details procedures for assessing and managing the (...) More issues Doctors call to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields In April 2009, 50 doctors issued a united call to leaders in politics and health in the Dutch capital, The Hague. They called for stricter measures to be taken to minimize exposure to electromagnetic fields. The Dutch doctors, ranging from general practitioners, specialists to medical scientists, called for a reduction in the exposure to electro-magnetic fields (EMF) and a more conscious use of electrical and wireless technology. The group reported an increase in recent years of chronic (...) Nanomaterials: MEPs vote for consumer information MEPs recently voted for products containing nano-materials to be accompanied by consumer information. With the increasing use of nano-technology, this vote calls for a stringent framework to be put in place to ensure that information be provided on the risks of the release of micro-materials into the environment and their adverse affects on human health. The vote, which runs contrary to the European Commission’s belief that nano-materials are sufficiently covered by existing legislation, (...) New report on workplace exposures to nano-materials New research released in April examines the exposure measurement and mitigation of nano-materials in the workplace. The report was released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as part of a series of publications which aim to encourage engagement in the safety implications of nano-materials at the same time as research on new applications is being undertaken. "Preliminary Analysis of Exposure Measurement and Exposure Mitigation in Occupational Settings: (...) Third International WHO Conference on Children’s Environmental Health; June 2009 The Third International WHO Conference on Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) is being hosted by the Ministry of Environment in Korea in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Family Planning, and organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) jointly with national and international partners. The conference, which runs from the 7-10 June 2009 in Busan, Korea, will aim to extend recognition of children’s environmental health needs and provide a platform (...) |
| 30/03/2009 | HEAL Newsletter March 2009 A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe Environment and Health Policy Challenge your candidates to the European Parliament on environment and health Between 4 June and 7 June 2009, each member state of the European Union will hold elections to select their Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). This election is critical to the interests of people all across Europe, and voting in an educated and thoughtful way is one of the most important actions that you can take this year. That is why the Health and Environmental Alliance has developed a questionnaire that citizens concerned about environmental and health issues can use to hold (...) UK publishes Children’s Environment and Health Strategy The United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency recently released a document detailing how the environment affects children’s health and what can be done to improve current conditions. This report is based on the World Health Organisation’s Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE), in which participating countries from across the European Region agreed to develop plans to improve children’s health. According to this new strategy, it is important (...) About us & our members HEAL Secretariat News March 2009 Publications Leaflet: Harmful chemicals in products you buy? Your right to know now available in different languages Postcard in French: Carte postale: Ville Zero Pesticides Press releases 23/03/2009, New poll shows the UK is sick of pesticides 20/03/2009, Des espaces publics en vert et contre tout pesticide 13/03/2009, 5-MINUTE TASK FOR YOUR HEALTH: Help push harmful chemicals off the market!, also in Czech, German, French and Dutch. Conferences and meetings On 3 March, Aurele (...) WECF publishes Toys Guide with tips on how to choose toxic-free toys In March, HEAL member WECF- Women in Europe for a Common Future published a Toys Guide which provides tips on choosing toxic- free toys. The practical brochure provides concise information about the most hazardous substances found in toys and what the potential dangers are, and provides concrete tips on how consumers can play it safe when buying toys for children. You can download the guides here: French Toys Guide English Toys Guide Dutch Toys Guide German Toys (...) Women’s Environmental Network petitions the Scottish Parliament over cancer-causing toxins On 3 March, HEAL member, the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) Scotland presented a petition to the Scottish Parliament urging them to investigate cancer-causing toxins. The petition, presented to the Public Petitions Committee for Scotland, called for an investigation into links between exposure to hazardous toxins in the environment and the rising incidence of cancers and other chronic illnesses. WEN accompanied this with a week long exhibition within the Scottish Parliament. Over the (...) Resources & Media HEAL in the Media (January-March 2009) During the past three months, HEAL’s media coverage has reached well beyond the usual policy publications and websites to reach national newspapers, magazines and radio programmes in France, Italy, Greece and the UK. In January, HEAL was quoted in leading Italian daily La Stampa newspaper, in Galileo and in a Greek newspaper called "Real News" on our reaction to the positive EU parliamentary vote on pesticide regulation (13 January). We were also featured in Euractiv (a European policy (...) Voting for "healthy people and a healthy planet" in the European elections, June 4-7 Would you like to know the position of different candidate European Parliamentarians (MEPs) on promoting health through strong environmental policy? Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) hopes to be able to provide this information to you in time for voting in the June elections (...) Chemicals European Trade Union Confederation releases list of priority chemicals On 31 March, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) released their priority list of chemicals to be authorised under the European Union’s chemicals legislation REACH. This list includes 306 substances that ETUC wishes to be placed on the candidate list of substances of very high concern, showing the organisation’s commitment to a strong implementation of REACH. ETUC is among the first major organisations to release their list, ahead of the member states and the European Commission. (...) HEAL and its partners celebrate European consumer day On 13 March 2009, the Health and Environment Alliance together with partners (see below) celebrated the European consumer day by launching new materials for the public on the new consumer’s right to know about harmful chemicals in products as established by the REACH chemicals law. LEAFLET Companies must tell you, at no charge, about harmful chemicals present in many consumer products, but ONLY if you ask. Read a new leaflet entitled: “Harmful chemicals in products you buy? Your right to (...) MEPs approve new rules on safer cosmetics On 24 March, the European Parliament approved an update of EU legislation on cosmetics voting on a first-reading agreement thrashed out between EP and Council representatives. The basic aim of the new regulation is to remove legal uncertainties and inconsistencies, while increasing the safety of cosmetics. Parliament’s amendments add further improvements, especially regarding the claims companies make for their products and the safety of nanomaterials used in cosmetics. Broad backing for (...) Pesticides Environmental health practitioners urged to promote "pesticide-free" public spaces The February 2009 issue of Environmental Health Practitioners makes a direct appeal to those working to protect work and home environments in the UK by reducing pesticide use. Written by Genon K Jensen, HEAL’s Executive Director, Hazard control describes how hazardous chemicals are known to contribute to a range of health problems, and the proposals that HEAL has for "pesticides-free" public spaces. The proposals are being promoted in the UK by the "Sick of Pesticides" campaign. The ([...art1040]) European Commission launches database of approved pesticides under Directive 91/141 On 16 March 2009, the European Commission launched a database of approved active substances for pesticides, which is the result of a lengthy evaluation process. From now on, Member States may only authorise pesticides which include active substances featured in this list. In 1993 the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Member States launched a review of all active substances, authorised since 1991, used in plant protection products within the EU. At the (...) HEAL and MDRGF launch postcard action for pesticide-free cities During Week Without Pesticides (20-30 March), HEAL and member organisation Mouvement pour les Droits et le Respect des Génerations Futures (MDRGF) launched a postcard action calling on municipalities across France to phase out the use of pesticides in public places, such as parks, school and sports grounds. The objective of the postcard action is two-fold. It aims to raise the awareness of the public and local authorities on the hazardous effects of pesticides on children’s health. The (...) New poll shows the UK is sick of pesticides A new poll carried out by GfK NOP for the HEAL Sick of Pesticides Campaign UK in March 2009 reveals that half the UK population is concerned about pesticides, not only on their food but also in parks and other public places. The poll showed that: 59% of those interviewed are worried that food and drink may be contaminated (strongly agree 24% plus slightly agree 35%) and 48% of respondents believe that parks, sports grounds and playgrounds may pose a risk because of pesticide use in (...) PAN UK’s new ’List of Lists’ on pesticides and health The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) UK have just published their updated List of Lists - an invaluable reference for identifying pesticides associated with harmful health and environmental impacts. The Third revised and updated List of Lists is compiled from official sources - namely the World Health Organisation and the US Environmental Protection Agency - and from information shared by public interest organisations. The List of Lists provides extensive coverage of pesticides, (...) US Environment Protection Agency supports pesticide use reduction in schools Schools in the US are encouraged to radically decrease their pesticide usage by 2015 in plans unveiled in January by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This new plan would cut school pesticide use by 70%, but some say voluntary guidelines are not enough. Under the new plan, all public schools are encouraged to adopt Integrated Pest Management practices (IPM) by 2015. This could reduce the use of pesticides by at least 70 percent, experts predict. However some health (...) Climate Change European Youth Forum debate on the role of young people in fighting climate change On 12 March, the European Youth Forum held a Round Table in Brussels to discuss the role of youth in combating climate change. Much of the debate focused on Europe’s role within climate change. It was widely noted that the European Commission’s January 2009 communication - “Towards a comprehensive climate change agreement in Copenhagen” - lacks coherent measures to reach the targets and mention of how the leverage the finances required. Speakers included Stéphane Buffetaut, President of (...) New paper highlights the role of the health care sector in combating climate change A new paper entitled "Beyond Climate Focus and Disciplinary Myopia. The Roles and Responsibilities of Hospitals and Healthcare Professionals" was published on 19 March. The paper calls for the need to approach climate change within the framework of sustainable development - recognising the multiple interrelationships between environmental, economic and social systems. The paper was written by John P. Ulhøi of the School of Business at Aarhus University and Benedicte P. Ulhøi of Aarhus (...) WHO says reducing greenhouse emissions could cut global disease burden by 25% The World Health Organisation urged policy makers to consider the serious implications of climate change on health, at a conference in Copenhagen on 10-12 March. Speaking at the conference - Climate Change Global Risks, Challenges, and Decisions - the World Health Organisation (WHO) argued that improving environmental conditions could help reduce the global disease burden by more than 25%. Currently, WHO has estimated that about 150 000 people die each year in poor countries from the (...) World’s leading scientists urge politicians to act on climate change From 10 to 12 March, 2,500 of the world’s leading scientists met in Copenhagen and issued a plea to politicians to act now on climate change, warning that without action the effects could be disastrous. The International Scientific Congress on climate change - "Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges and Decisions" - was attended by more than 2,500 scientists from nearly 80 countries and organised in cooperation with universities in the International Alliance of Research Universities (...) More issues Parliament backs NGOs’ calls for tighter controls on nanotechnology March saw the European Parliament’s Environment Committee vote on controls of nanomaterials. The results supported almost all key issues raised by NGOs. The European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Europe’s largest federation of environmental citizens’ organizations, have been a prominant force behind the push for stricter controls. They were extremely pleased with the results of the vote. The Parliamentary vote runs contrary to the European Commission’s belief that nanomaterials are ([...-art1051]) Tyres to get energy, noise and safety label Tyre and vehicle retailers will have to provide customers with detailed information on the energy efficiency, safety and noise performance of tyres following a vote in the European Parliament’s industry committee on 31 March. Transport and Environment (T&E), the sustainable transport campaign group and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) welcomed the agreement, which goes further than a European Commission legal proposal issued last year. The labels, which will show ratings for (...) |
| 05/03/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - March 2009 |
| 05/02/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - February 2009 |
| 01/02/2009 | HEAL Newsletter - February 2009 A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe Environment and Health Policy EU takes a stand on noise pollution from tyres The European Parliament and EU member states agreed new tyre rolling resistance and noise limits. The agreement came in February as part of a first reading agreement on new EU vehicle type approval rules. The text follows the Commission’s original proposed text on rolling resistance and noise emissions. Specific derogations for snow tyres and "special use" tyres, such as special duty or off-road use, were introduced. The deal is expected to be endorsed by the full parliament in a plenary (...) New Environment and Health Network in France The 3rd March saw the launch of the French environment and health network, Reseau Environment Santé (RES). RES brings together a coalition of groups including environmental NGOs, health affected and scientific groups as well as health professionals in France – MDRGF, WWF France, Objectif Bio, Nord Ecologie Consiel, Fac Verte, Foundation Sciences Citoyennes. It is supported by two European networks, the Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF). RES (...) About us & our members ARTAC conducts a study on electrosensitivity HEAL member ARTAC, the Association for Research and Treatments Against Cancer, is a French organisation of medical professionals and researchers, which investigates amongst others the implication of chemical exposure on cancer causation. ARTAC warns that today people are not only exposed to chemical pollution, but also to electromagnetic pollution. This pollution is caused by the increasing presence of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones, wireless internet, cordless phones, (...) HEAL Secretariat News February 2009 Staff changes Gill Erskine joined the HEAL staff for a six-month internship as a Policy and Communication Assistant on 3 March 2009. Originally from Scotland, she has been working in London for the past three years. She started out as a researcher in organic cotton and ethical clothing and then moved into sustainability within the built environment – particularly looking at community aspects of building, building related diseases and responses to climate change. Publications Joint (...) Women’s Environmental Network launches online checklist for cosmetics On 28 February, Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) launched an online checklist which will give consumers the information they need to choose cosmetics they can trust. The checklist, dubbed Careful Beauty, checks 22 companies against 20 health, environmental and ethical criteria. It shows which companies’ beauty products avoid some potentially harmful ingredients. “While beauty products are designed to make us look and feel better about ourselves, the majority of modern cosmetics are (...) Resources & Media Book Review: Poisoned Profits: The Toxic Assault on Our Children Poisoned Profits: The Toxic Assault on Our Children By Philip Shabecoff and Alice Shabecoff Random House, 2008 Book Information: With indisputable data, the authors reveal that the children of baby boomers – the first to be raised in a truly “toxified” world – have higher rates of birth defects, asthma, cancer, autism and other serious illnesses than previous generations. The Shabecoffs provide evidence that our homes are now infested with toxic consumer products containing additives (...) Mercury and health Argentina takes an important step in protecting consumers from mercury Argentina is now one among the few countries that are actively trying to ban mercury from all medical devices because of efforts by local doctors and NGOs. Organised by Healthcare Without Harm and a number of other organisations that work on toxicology, the campaign targeted thermometers and blood pressure measuring devices that contain mercury. Resolution 139/2009, signed on February 23rd, requires hospitals and clinics to purchase safe mercury-free versions of this medical equipment. The (...) Report: Mercury in fish is a global concern The international Zero Mercury Working Group released a study called “Mercury in Fish: An Urgent Global Health Concern”. The study investigates the significant global human health hazards caused by mercury in fish and fish-eating marine mammals. The problem demands an effective response from governments and the United Nations. According to the report, the risk is greatest: in populations whose per capita fish consumption is high; in areas where pollution has elevated the average mercury (...) Chemicals Early-life chemical exposures impact breast cancer risk later A scientific review article called “State of the Evidence The Connection Between Breast Cancer and the Environment” published in the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health shows that a host of chemicals that mimic or alter the activities of natural hormones can potentially increase breast cancer risk. The Breast Cancer Fund presented the scientific review article, which summarizes the findings of more than 400 epidemiological and experimental studies, indicates that (...) Hot off the press: 1st SIN Reporter newsletter The International Chemicals Secretariat announces the first edition of the SIN Reporter (spring 2009). The SIN Reporter will give periodic updates and outcomes from the release of the SIN (Substitute It Now!) List in October 2008. The Spring 2009 edition includes: San Francisco Department of Environment workshop: California dreaming meets the SIN List Business update: Carrefour substitutes Playing with chemicals CEFIC feels the heat EU Member States discuss SIN List The SIN List (...) Prenatal Exposures: New database of chemicals and health effects unveiled Newly launched on Tuesday 10 February, the Critical Windows of Development is a unique interactive web page from TEDX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange) that pairs human development in the womb with laboratory research showing where and when low-dose exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and dioxin has effects. Future chemicals to be included are PCBs, PBDEs, DDT and more. Before a baby is born, it is exposed to a myriad of endocrine disrupting (...) SCENIHR releases Risk Assessment on genotoxic and carcinogenic substances The European Commission and the Scientific Committees on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), Consumer Products (SCCP) and Emerging and Newly Identified Risks (SCENIHR) have adopted an opinion on the “Risk Assessment methodologies and approaches for genotoxic and carcinogenic substances” at the 28th plenary of 19 January 2009. This release comes after scientific review and a public consultation run by the European Commission. The Risk Assessment concludes that each compound requires a (...) Pesticides Call for the French Cancer Plan to recognise environmental factors In February, the Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the Mouvement pour les Droits et le respect des Générations Futures (MDRGF) coordinated a petition to call for the inclusion of environmental factors, such as pesticides exposure within the new French Cancer Plan – something that was overlooked in the previous plan. This cyber action was organized in the framework of HEAL and MDRGF “Sick of pesticides” campaign on pesticides and cancer. With 6000 responses in two weeks, the ([...>art1006]) Climate Change Energy-efficient buildings: A chance to create healthy and eco-friendly indoor environments The European Union is currently reviewing its legislation to improve the energy efficiency of the building sector. The recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) offers a unique opportunity to bring together environment and health objectives, and to generate substantial cost savings. More energy efficient and eco-friendly buildings would help achieve climate change mitigation by reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. In the current crisis, politicians are also looking to the construction sector to get the economy moving (...). Climate change leads to more hospitalisations, new study suggests A new study suggests that high summer temperatures pushed higher by climate change may bring a spike in hospitalisations for respiratory problems. The analysis of data from 12 European cities comes from a multi-center, three-year collaboration among epidemiologists, meteorologists and experts in public health that investigated the short-term effects of weather in Europe. The project evaluated the effects of higher temperatures on hospitalisations for a number of different conditions in (...) Air Quality Survey of organisations and agencies working on Damp and Mould Are you a national agency, institution, or NGO active in advising and informing the public on questions of damp and mould prevention as well as remediation? Are you involved in legal aspects related to damp and mould or in managing remedial action? If yes, please fill in the questionnaire below (available in English and Russian) and send it back by email to: info@env-health.org or by fax: 0032 2 234 3649. The information you provide will be listed the a brochure and web page produced by (...) Environmental diseases Release of WHO’s and IARC’s World Cancer Report 2008 The World Health Organisation’s and IARC’s have released their World Cancer Report 2008, providing an overview of the current understandings of cancer causes, development, prevention and treatment. The report is a scientific basis for public health action and will help towards reducing cancer morbidity and mortality and to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families. Of particular interest to HEAL, is the information on potential cancer causes from exposure to (...) More issues European Parliament weighs in on health effects of electromagnetic fields The “continuing uncertainties about possible health risks” related to the exposure to electromagnetic fields are the basis of an own-initiative report by MEP Frédérique Ries (ALDE, BE), which was adopted on the 17th of February by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, with 43 votes in favour and one against. The Committee’s report will be voted on in the March plenary. On 4 September 2008, the European Parliament already adopted a resolution on the mid-term (...) Finnish health authority warns against wireless networks Recently, the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) has urged the public to restrict their children’s mobile phone use. The authority is now also warning for the possible health effects of wireless networks, which cause exposure to potentially harmful emissions. “It would be good if the network base station were located as far away from people as possible,” says senior scientist Lauri Puranen of STUK. In 2007, the German Federal Government issued a similar warning. It (...) HEAL reports on European Commission workshop on electromagnetic fields On the 11 and 12 February, the European Commission organised the workshop ‘EMF and Health: Science and Policy to address public concerns’. The workshop gathered about 150 policy makers (services from the European Commission and members of the European Parliament), scientists, representatives of concerned citizens, representatives from industry and other stakeholders. The aim was to generate “a broad and constructive dialogue” and to come to “conclusions that would help to orient the EU (...) Social Fairness in Sustainable Development – A Green and Social Europe A conference - ’Social Fairness in Sustainable Development – A Green and Social Europe’ – was hosted in Brussels last week by the European Commission to examine the social repercussions of unsustainable development and discuss how a greener economy, coupled with stronger social cohesion, could be achieved in tandem. The conference came on the back of a policy briefing, released last year by the European Commission, which brought to light the findings of a 2006 study revealing (...) |
| 05/01/2009 | HEAL Newsletter - January 2009 A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe Editorial: 2009 will see big changes in EU leadership With European Parliament elections in June and appointment of new Commissioners, 2009 offers an opportunity to rebuild the EU agenda. In light of the financial crises, business as usual is unthinkable as short-sighted economic goals will only again lead to an ever increasing burden on Europeans' health. Rebuilding Europe needs a focus with a long-term vision promoting cleaner, safer environments for healthier Europeans. One environmental roadmap for how to do this already exists. The Green 10, a group of environmental organisations working at the European level of which HEAL is a member, has developed its vision for the coming Parliament 2009-2014 (read the Green 10 document). Our own contribution to promoting this "green" manifesto will call on all political candidates to pledge "yes" to a number of commitments via an electronic campaign. HEAL is seeking assurance that they will put health first in relation to specific policy on chemicals, climate change, children's health and several emerging issues. Climate change will continue to dominate the political scene this year as leaders and advocates alike prepare for the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. EU leaders must show leadership in achieving an ambitious post-Kyoto agreement. HEAL's contribution will be putting forward the evidence on the important co-benefits to health of certain policy options and by ensuring that the voices of medical professionals are brought to the debate (read our report). Stimulated by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, a climate change and health policy is being developed. The draft plan has the potential to bring together in a single document a consistent, inter-sectoral plan of actions for all 53 countries of the wider WHO European region. In the wider context, intergovernmental preparations are underway for the next Pan-European Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health to be held in Italy in 2010. HEAL will call on EU environment and health ministers to renew their commitments to reducing ill-health and disease by improving environmental conditions, especially taking into consideration the special vulnerability of children and setting quantifiable targets. At a preparatory meeting with government representatives in Luxembourg this month, HEAL and partner ECO-FORUM raised key issues, such as indoor air pollution and the role of accidents on children’s health, and called for Ministers' commitments to actions in and around schools and day-care centres (read HEAL related article and HEAL editorial on DG SANCO Healthy EU newsletter). To see HEAL’s other environmental health priorities for 2009, see our campaign websites on chemicals, pesticides, mercury and air quality. |
| 05/01/2009 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - January 2009 |
| 05/11/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - November 2008 |
| 05/10/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - October 2008 |
| 05/09/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - September 2008 |
| 05/07/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - July 2008 |
| 05/06/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - June 2008 |
| 05/05/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - May 2008 |
| 05/04/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - April 2008 |
| 05/03/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - March 2008 |
| 05/02/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - February 2008 |
| 05/01/2008 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - January 2008 |
| 04/12/2007 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - December 2007 |
| 04/11/2007 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - November 2007 |
| 05/10/2007 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - October 2007 |
| 05/09/2007 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - September 2007 |
| 05/08/2007 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - August 2007 |
| 05/07/2007 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - July 2007 |
| 05/07/2007 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - July 2007 |
| 05/06/2007 | Chemicals Health Monitor - June 2007 |
| 05/05/2007 | Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - May 2007 |
