All the latest news from HEAL on its various policy work.
The following is a chronological list starting with the most recent – you can also explore a specific subject area by using the search field.
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| 07/06/2013 | 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. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of exposure to chemicals because they are at the most sensitive stages of human development. Parents, carers and health professionals are rightly worried about the problems in infant and young child feeding in a contaminated world. HEAL welcomes IBFAN’s new 2013 Statement on Infant and Young Child Feeding and Chemical Residues which provides objective and independent information on the risks and dangers of this form of environmental pollution. IBFAN’ highlights some key messages including the importance of breast feeding which brings many irreplaceable positive health effects for mother and child, economic advantages for families, communities, societies and health systems, and advantages for the environment. Except in cases of industrial disasters and of exceedingly high levels of dangerous residues after industrial disasters, IBFAN fully supports the recommendation to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, even when there is evidence of the presence of chemical residues in breast milk as the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh any possible harm. In the statement, IBFAN urgently calls upon decision makers in industry and politics to adopt environmentally-friendly initiatives in production and waste-disposal, to promote awareness of ecological dangers, and to create the appropriate legal framework to prevent the harmful contamination of our environment and to protect the health of our children, both present and future generations. Read the full statement here |
| 07/06/2013 | 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. HEAL welcomes the decision to phase out HBCD and prohibit the recycling of products containing it, which could otherwise cause serious damage to public health. HBCD now joins two other such compounds on the convention's list, although there is still a five year exemption for the use of HBCD in expanded and extruded polystyrene. According to the convention's description of HBCD, this flame retardant is made in the USA, Europe, and Asia. In 2001, about half of the 16,500 tons on the market was used in Europe. In Europe it is used in building insulation, where polystyrene insulation constitutes approximately 30% of the use. By 2003, global demand had risen to nearly 22,000 tons. The half life of the chemical is approximately 50 years. HBCD is now on the list of pollutants countries must work to eliminate. For the EU, it had already been identified it as a substance of very high concern in REACH with a scheduled phase out by 2015. This Stockholm Convention ban is a good step forward and will help prevent further new uses being found for it. However some environment groups were disappointed that the chemical was granted a 5 year exception for polystyrene insulation in buildings, albeit with new labelling requirements to ensure the chemical is clearly identifiable in whatever products contain it. Companies that make HBCD for this insulation must also notify the convention of their use. |
| 07/06/2013 | 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 United Nations, the World Health Organisation 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. The joint letter by scientists, who include authors of a recent WHO/ UNEP report on EDCs, and the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), is part of a growing call to politicians and regulators to identify and control these harmful chemicals that can damage the hormonal systems in humans and wildlife. Exposure to EDCs during foetal development and puberty is considered to play a role in the increased incidences of reproductive disease, cancers, asthma, behavioural and learning problems such as ADHD and others. EDCs are in many products used by consumers in daily life, and tests show the presence of dozens of chemicals with hormone disrupting properties in people, including children. In the letter to UNEP, WHO, OECD and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), scientists from the Endocrine Society and the IPEN network urge global action and recommended a number of scientific elements to guide future efforts on EDCs. In the September 2012 meeting of SAICM, more than 100 governments reached consensus agreement that action is needed, but no work plans have yet been made. HEAL is a participating organisation of IPEN and HEAL Executive Director serves on the IPEN Steering Committee. Useful documents WHO UNEP 2012 State of the Science Report The Impact of Endocrine Disruption: A Consensus Statement on the State of the Science Global action needed on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) - Letter from IPEN and The Endocrine Society Scientists urge UN to take action on chemicals in consumer products and pesticides - Press release |
| 07/06/2013 | 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. Noise from cars, buses, lorries, from airplanes and industrial processes is an important risk factor for our health. The World Health Organisation recently concluded that this environmental noise is the second biggest health threat after air pollution; and a large number of Europeans are living in noisy surroundings that can permanently damage their health. In addition, quieter surroundings can tremendously improve the quality of life in a city. Previous research has shown that for every 10 decibels higher exposure to traffic noise in residential neighbourhoods, the risk of a heart attack increases by 12 percent. In a new Danish study, partly conducted under the EU QUIET1 project, researchers investigated if noise exposure was related to the risk of developing diabetes. Over 50,000 residents of Copenhagen and Aarhus, aged between 50 and 64, were signed up to the study, which ran until 2006. Researchers recorded the address of each individual since 1988 and combined it with spatial information on noise for example, the average number of vehicles, their speed, and type of road and height of surrounding buildings. This was recorded in order to assess how much noise each person was exposed to. Then, instances of diabetes diagnoses for the participating residents were taken. Researchers were careful to rule out other aspects that could increase the risk of diabetes such as diet and smoking. Overall, 3,869 individuals were diagnosed with diabetes during the study. The results demonstrated that an increase in average noise exposure of 10 decibels was associated with a significantly higher risk of diabetes. One explanation for this increase is that the body produces more stress hormones because of noise, which then leads to reduced insulin production. |
| 07/06/2013 | 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. HEAL was kindly invited to speak at the conference organised by the Foundation for Children from Copper Basin, Poland. The conference took place in the Polish region of Legnica and focused on the themes of toxic metals, allergy and asthma, air hygiene, environmental risks due to biological, chemical, climate and social factors. Around 50 scientists, health experts and health affected groups from Poland, Lithuania, Belorussia, Russia and Ukraine attended the conference. Julia Huscher, HEAL’s Coal and Health officer, contributed to discussions by focusing on the results of HEAL’s latest report The Unpaid Health Bill: How coal power plants make us sick which provides the first ever calculation of the effects of coal-fired power plants on chronic lung disease and some heart conditions in Europe. Coal power plants emit both a large amount of hazardous pollutants which contribute to air pollution and a large amount of mercury, which is a pollutant known to damage children’s brain and nervous system. The report has been launched at EU level and also at national level in Germany and Poland which made it a significant talking point at the conference. More information on The Unpaid Health Bill available here in English, Polish and German |
| 07/06/2013 | 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. According to the joint report by the EEA and EU Commission’s Joint Research Centre, Europeans are living longer and healthier lives than in the past, partly due to successful environmental policies that have reduced the exposure to harmful environmental contaminants in air, water and food. However, the report also highlights that these contaminants are still a problem, and new risks are emerging such as from new chemicals, products and changing lifestyle patterns. Pollutants, noise and other forms of environmental degradation are shown to be harmful to health. The report aims to provide an overview of the most pertinent environment and health issues, and to provide policy considerations. It showcases how exposure to air pollution, noise, poor quality water, chemicals, radiation, biological agents, and otherwise degraded environments are important components of non-communicable, chronic diseases. A ‘health gap’ remains in Europe and there is a large difference in the environmental conditions for citizens. For example, people with a low social status often live in more degraded and harmful environments which have a potential negative effect on health. The environmental condition may be further influenced by factors including socio-economic status, life style habits and their state of health. There are significant differences in access to green spaces in Europe. For example, all cities in Sweden and Finland have more than 40 % of green space within their boundaries, whereas cities in countries such as Hungary and Greece have less than 30 % of green space. Key findings include an increase in sales of chemicals which include substances affecting our health such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The report points out the contribution of air pollution to cancer, heart disease and asthma and estimates that air pollution reduces the life expectancy of each EU citizen by an average of 8.5 months. Pharmaceutical residues and endocrine-disrupting substances found in water are another health and environmental problem as well as noise which can seriously harm our health. Devices emitting electo-magnetic fields (EMF) such as mobile phones are sometimes considered a possible cancer risk and nanotechnology applications could be seen as an emerging risk as little is known about the effects of nanomaterials in the human body. EEA’s new assessment is a key publication as it shows (once again) how environment and health is not just ‘an aspect ‘of environmental policy, it is at the heart of it. To access the report click here |
| 03/06/2013 | Jaki wpływ na nasze zdrowie mają elektrownie węglowe? 3 czerwca 2013 roku opublikowana została polska wersja nowego raportu Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL). Aby dowiedzieć się więcej otwórz 3 czerwca 2013 roku opublikowana została polska wersja nowego raportu Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL). Raport prezentuje dowody naukowe na temat wpływu skażenia powietrza na zdrowie, i udziału w nim emisji pochodzących z elektrowni węglowych. Zawiera także pierwszą ekonomiczną ocenę kosztów zdrowotnych związanych z zanieczyszczeniem powietrza przez elektrownie węglowe w Europie oraz wyjaśnienia autorytetów w dziedzinie ochrony zdrowia, ekspertów sektora medycznego i decydentów dotyczące ich obaw związanych z wpływem węgla. Raport przedstawia też rekomendacje dla władz i sektora zdrowia na temat sposobów zaradzenia problemowi “niezapłaconego rachunku za zdrowie” oraz uwzględnienia go w przyszłych decyzjach dotyczących energetyki. Polska pełna wersja raportu do pobrania tutaj Polska pełna wersja raportu do pobrania tutaj Polskie streszczenie raportu do pobrania tutaj- EN language version of PR here Prof. Jean-Paul Sculier, Sekretarz ds. Europejskich, European Respiratory Society: „Dzięki minimalizacji zanieczyszczeń emitowanych do powietrza przez elektrownie węglowe możliwe będzie zaoszczędzenie znacznych środków wydawanych na opiekę zdrowotną, szczególnie że średni okres życia elektrowni węglowej wynosi 40 lat. Rok 2013 to Europejski Rok Powietrza. W jego trakcie zostanie dokonany przegląd unijnej polityki jakości powietrza – zatem jest to idealny czas na podjęcie adekwatnych działań”. Birgit Beger, Sekretarz Generalny, Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME): „Lekarze w Europie zdają sobie sprawę, że zanieczyszczone powietrze stanowi znaczny czynnik ryzyka dla zdrowia ludzkiego. CPME od wielu już lat analizuje powyższe zagadnienie. Specjaliści ochrony zdrowia prowadzą badania w celu pozyskania nowych danych oraz w celu zwiększenia poziomu poinformowania społeczeństwa i decydentów. Naszym celem jest zmiana strategii odnoszących się do ochrony powietrza”. |
| 31/05/2013 | EU air quality measures: what should we aim for? NGO members of the EU stakeholder expert have submitted comments to the EU Commission for the preparation of legislative proposals on air quality scheduled for this fall. Groups urge for the consideration of all emission reduction scenarios and underline that scientific evidence calls for the highest level of ambition. 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. Their joint paper submitted jointly by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Transport & Environment (T&E), the Air Pollution & Climate Secretariat (AirClim), the Health and Environmental Alliance (HEAL) and ClientEarth, to the EU Commission underlines that the scientific evidence on health effects calls for the highest level of ambition. Download the paper here |
| 14/05/2013 | Health risks from climate change highlighted in joint letter to the WHO On 14 May, health organisations representing health and health-promotion professionals and health care institutions from around the world, wrote to the Director General of the WHO highlighting the urgent concerns of the health and medical professionals and health care workers in relation to the health risks from climate change. 14 May 2013 To: Dr Margaret Chan Director-General, World Health Organisation Dear Dr Chan, As health organisations representing health and health-promotion professionals and health care institutions from around the world, we are writing to you to highlight the urgent concerns of the health and medical professionals and health care workers in relation to the health risks from climate change. Specifically we would like to alert you to the DOHA Declaration on Climate, Health and Wellbeing, developed during COP 18, the 2012 UNFCCC global climate change negotiations, and signed by over 80 health and medical organisations from 19 countries along with over 1000 individuals. This Declaration expressed the desire of health and medical organisations around the world for the protection and promotion of health to be made one of the central priorities of global and national policy responses to climate change, and their willingness to engage to make this happen. The Declaration and its list of signatories (attached) called for: The health impacts of climate change to be taken into account domestically and globally Investment in climate mitigation and adaptation to be significantly increased on a rapid timescale The health sector and the community to be engaged and informed on climate action It also states: “Human health is profoundly threatened by our global failure to halt emissions growth and curb climate change. As representatives of health communities around the world, we argue that strategies to achieve rapid and sustained emissions reductions and protect health must be implemented in a time frame to avert further loss and damage. We recognise that this will require exceptional courage and leadership from our political, business and civil society leaders, including the health sector; acceptance from the global community about the threats to health posed by our current path; and a willingness to act to realise the many benefits of creating low carbon, healthy, sustainable and resilient societies.” We urge you to raise this issue as a matter of the highest priority in the World Health Organization, and to work with the signatories to this letter to help ensure the health implications of climate change and the opportunities to improve health through emissions reductions are understood and realised by effective action in all WHO member states. For example, the co-benefits of tackling both non-communicable diseases (a major focus of the World Health Assembly this month) and climate change are increasingly well known, and benefit both people and planet. Given the urgency of the situation, we would be very grateful if you could share the Doha Declaration with other members of the Executive Board during your meeting on May 29-30 as an important contribution from the health sector. We would be pleased to discuss how we can work closer with WHO global and regional offices and national health ministries to protect and promote global health through climate action. Yours sincerely, Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) C3 Collaborating for Health Climate and Health Council (CHC) FHI 360 Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) Healthcare Without Harm (HCWH) International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) Contact for correspondence: Fiona Armstrong, Convenor, Climate and Health Alliance, convenor@caha.org.au |
| 10/05/2013 | 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. Recent findings published in the journal Diabetes Care highlight for the first time the link between mercury and diabetes in humans. These results are of considerable concern because eating fish and shellfish, normally recommended for its nutritional benefits, is the main source of methyl mercury in people. As HEAL aims to raise awareness of the health risks of exposure to mercury and the need to reduce our exposure, these new findings are important to highlight. The results found that nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury but they also contain lean protein and other important nutrients such as magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids which could counter the effects of mercury. In a new study, researchers collected data from 3,875 non-diabetic individuals between the age of 20 and 32 from 1987 to 2005. Mercury levels were measured in their toenails and they were tested for diabetes during this period. Throughout the 18 year follow up period, 288 cases of diabetes were identified. After adjusting the data for other potential factors, such as age, sex, alcohol consumption and family history, the researchers found that higher mercury exposure was linked to an increased risk for developing diabetes, noting that those with the most exposure had a 65 percent increased risk of diabetes when compared to those with the lowest. |
| 10/05/2013 | 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. The responses from the latest EU consultation on air quality policy show that the clear majorities of the public, experts and national authorities all support policies such as more stringent caps on air pollutant emissions. Three quarters of stakeholders want targets for 2020 under the national emission ceilings directive (NECD) to go beyond the new Gothenburg Protocol. However, national authorities say they should not deviate too much from the protocol. The public, civil society groups and experts want air quality standards to be more closely aligned with the WHO guidelines, whereas national authorities propose lowering them once the EU has further reduced pollutant emissions. The European Commission is expected to publish a package of proposals in October in the framework of the 2013 EU Year of Air. More than 60 environmental, health and citizen NGOs from across the EU, including HEAL have already highlighted their three priority actions to the EU Commission in a joint position paper available here. |
| 10/05/2013 | 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. The study estimated that emissions from coal-fired power plants led to 80,000 to 115,000 premature deaths in 2011 – 2012. Emissions were also reported to cause 20.9 million cases of asthma attacks, 900,000 emergency room visits and 160 million days of restricted activity. The financial costs were also highlighted and could be as high as €2.6 billion – €3.9 billion per year. It is probably the first time that the burden of disease and death has been quantified and attributed to particulate matter pollution from coal-fired power plants in India. The relatively low associated health costs, however, which are much lower than they would be for Europe due to economic valuations of the differences in GDP, should not give any reason to downplay the intriguingly high numbers of deaths and disease. There is a growing need to address the health impacts of coal-fired power stations across the world and HEAL welcomes this new study as it kicks off its own campaign on the health effects from coal-fired power stations in Europe. |
| 10/05/2013 | 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. Behavioural change is a relatively neglected area in climate change mitigation but has a huge potential for reducing carbon emissions, according to a new EU report Behavioural Climate Change Mitigation Options. The authors focus on emissions from household heating, transport and food, and identified 36 options for behavioural change that can lead to emission reductions within these areas. Focusing on food, a shift to a vegetarian diet was found to have the highest potential by 2020. But also a change to a healthier diet with fewer calories and more fruit and vegetables has almost as high a potential. Food production for citizens’ consumption accounts for a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions, half of which can be attributed to meat production. To persuade Europeans to decrease their energy intake and at the same time eat more fruit and greens, a multiple approach is suggested with consumption taxes on unhealthy food, improved food labelling and school initiatives. HEAL will raise this overlooked aspect with decision-makers in the next months, as the EU debates its future climate and air quality policy. Behavioural changes can never replace ambitious policies for necessary sectoral GHG reductions. However, the EU and member states should better consider the reduction potential of behavioural change and how certain policies promote or hinder climate and health-friendly behaviour (e.g. investment in public transportation, walking and cycling versus company car schemes). For further information and to read the report Behavioural Climate Change Mitigation Options and Their Appropriate Inclusion in Quantitative Longer Term Policy Scenarios, CE Delft, 2012, click here |
| 10/05/2013 | 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). In his presentation to a packed audience in the French Senate on 26 April, Andreas Kortenkamp from Brunel University (UK) highlighted both research and policy developments. He took the example of male reproductive health, which is one of the best-researched areas, to draw attention to science linking endocrine disruption to increasing disease trends and the impact of EDCs on public health. He predicted that sperm quality could reach crisis levels in certain parts of Europe within the next 20 years. On EU policy and process, Kortenkamp said that both the WHO definition of EDCs and the need to use a “weight of evidence” approach were now starting to be widely accepted. His particular concern was the legal requirements for the testing of EDCs, including on the recently agreed regulation on testing of active ingredients in pesticides which does not specify the current best available test methods to identify endocrine disruption. Feedback from the audience suggested worries that a case-by-case approach to the weeding out of endocrine disrupting chemicals would take too long. Several participants mentioned the need for a precautionary approach, including a reference to the ‘Late Lessons’ learned in relation to tobacco. The French government’s plans to develop a national strategy on endocrine disrupting chemicals also featured in the questions. Kortenkamp said he would welcome strong leadership from France. He said that a RES proposal to create an EDC fund based on 0.1% of agro-business profits had “the ring of quite a good idea”. Meeting document available here (in FR) |
| 10/05/2013 | 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. Human biomonitoring measures the levels of synthetic chemicals in human tissues and fluids. The tests are carried out on blood, hair, saliva or urine samples (e.g. mercury levels can be tested in a small lock of hair). This type of monitoring is important for several reasons. First, it checks our current exposure to pollutants. Today, approximately 70,000 - 100,000 synthetic chemicals are on the market and some are building up in the human body. Some are suspected of causing long term health effects. Second, human biomonitoring can show whether existing laws are working effectively or whether stronger action is required to reduce exposure to synthetic hazardous chemicals. Political support to carry out human biomonitoring has steadily grown in the last years, at EU and national level. HBM was a priority of the EU Environment and Health Action Plan in 2004-2010. The EU funded COPHES/DEMOCOPHES project has worked towards an EU framework for biomonitoring and a first pilot study was carried out. The results were launched in October 2012 and suggest that all mothers and children have chemicals their bodies that should not be there. The information brought together on mercury has also allowed researchers to carry out an economic assessment that showed that the EU could save up to 9 billion EUR a year by reducing exposure to mercury. But this important biomonitoring work needs further financial and political support. This is why HEAL was pleased to see that MEPs of the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety recently gave their backing for future EU activities in their vote on the 7th EAP. |
| 10/05/2013 | 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. The documentary film by Ed Brown became the winner of the first ever film prize on health and environment at the 30th International Environmental Film Festival (FIFE) which took place in Paris in February. The prize was established by a partnership between FIFE and HEAL. Due to the recognition and success of Ed Brown winning the prize, ‘Unacceptable Levels’ will kick off its summer tour with a bicoastal festival debut at New York’s Lincoln Center Film Society’s Green Screens series on 31 May and San Francisco’s Green Film Festival on 2 June. The film has been accepted at 17 international film festivals, not only in the US but also in Italy, Belgium, Brazil, and South Korea. The film addresses the theme of the chemicals that are invading our environment. Ed Brown became inspired to make the film after learning how chemical exposure from everyday products might have affected the health of his wife, who suffered two miscarriages before giving birth to their two children. Brown invites his audience to put practical questions to themselves about these substances, which are potentially harmful to health – and are found in our water, food, cosmetics, toys and paints. He helps to offer the audience answers by questioning scientists and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This leads to the conclusion that governments are not necessarily doing all they should to protect the public's health. Ultimately, the film encourages everyone to look more deeply into these questions for ourselves. The award winning film will be available on iTunes and other video on demand platforms on 15 July 2013. For more information, including tour schedules, visit www.unacceptablelevels.com |
| 10/05/2013 | 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. Much of the discussion in Europe about when to regulate hazardous chemicals turn around the issues of when to take precautionary action, before there is enough certainty about forthcoming harms to qualify as preventive action. Earlier this year the European Environmental Agency (EEA) released the second volume of Late Lessons from Early Warnings, which follows from the first publication released in 2001 where many of the case studies on environmental health hazards continue to be valid today. During the CHE call David Gee, from the EEA, a leading expert on the precautionary principle, and initiator and co-author of both volumes, discussed the first volume of Late Lessons from Early Warnings with Michael Lerner, President of Commonweal. Discussions developed on how to learn from historical cases of environmental and health disasters, and then addressed some of the case studies on hazardous chemicals (benzene, asbestos, PCBs, DES), finishing with the distilled twelve late lessons from the case studies. Lisette van Vliet, Senior Policy Advisor on Chemicals and Chronic Disease Prevention at HEAL co-hosted the call and contributed to discussions with input on both volumes of Late Lessons. For further information about the call and to listen to the recording click here |
| 10/05/2013 | 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. The European Environment and Health Ministerial Board (EHMB), composed of four health ministers, four environment ministers and four representatives of intergovernmental organisations of the 53 member countries of the WHO European region, is the political face and driving force of international politics in environment and health for the implementation of the commitments made in the European environment and health process. At the fourth meeting, the Board agreed to accelerate work in Europe to minimise the health impact of environmental health hazards in order to follow up to the commitments made at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in 2010. Ministers also reviewed the progress and challenges in the implementation of these commitments as well as today’s main strategic directions and environment and health priorities in the WHO European Region. On air quality, noting the most recent estimates of air pollution related deaths and diseases, the Board was particularly concerned that most people in the European Region live in areas with pollution levels exceeding WHO’s air quality guidelines, with an average loss of 9 months’ life expectancy for each citizen. In the framework of the 2013 EU Year of Air, the Board called on the WHO to revise its 2005 air quality guidelines and for the EU to adjust its air quality policy accordingly. The Board also called on all Member States in the European Region to sign, ratify or accede to key international instruments that directly protect public health, particularly the Protocol on Water and Health, the Convention on Long range Transboundary Air Pollution and the recently negotiated Global Minamata Convention on Mercury. |
| 10/05/2013 | 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. On 24 April the European Parliament's Environment Committee adopted their position on the 7th EU Environment Action Programme (EAP). MEPs will now enter into negotiations with member states with a view to adopting a first reading agreement in June. HEAL is pleased that the 7th EAP includes a focus on reducing asthma and allergies related to indoor air pollutants and reducing exposure to harmful chemical substances. Hazardous chemicals such as EDCs are the top environmental health worry of Europeans, and the MEPs have rightly underlined the urgency of reducing exposure. HEAL is particularly pleased that bio-monitoring has received support. Once properly resources, this should allow EU policy makers to take better informed decisions and to effectively track the benefits for health of environmental action in Europe over time. Ahead of the EP Committee adopting their position, HEAL laid out a list of recommendations for the 7th EAP available here. |
| 24/04/2013 | Wie schädigen Kohlekraftwerke unsere Gesundheit? On 24 April HEAL launched the European report on the health impacts of coal power generation in German at a press conference in Berlin. Ein neuer Bericht der Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) wurde am 24. April 2013 auch in deutscher Sprache veröffentlicht. Er möchte einen Überblick über die wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse zu Gesundheitsschäden durch Luftverschmutzung und zum Beitrag von Kohlekraftwerken geben. Darüber hinaus beihaltet der Bericht die erstmalige Berechnung der gesundheitlichen Kosten, die infolge der Luftverschmutzung durch Kohlekraftwerke in Europa entstehen, sowie Stellungnahmen von führenden Gesundheitsexperten, medizinischen Fachleuten und Politikern zu ihren Bedenken im Hinblick auf Kohlestrom. Der Bericht leitet daraus Empfehlungen an die Politik sowie an Gesundheitsfachleute ab, wie die durch Kohlestrom verursachten externen Kosten reduziert werden können und wie die wirklichen Kosten von Kohlestrom bei energiepolitischen Entscheidungen berücksichtigt werden sollten. Download des vollständigen Berichts hier Zusammenfassung Download hier Presseerklärung Download hier Information on the coal report in EN here Prof Jean-Paul Sculier, Secretary for European Affairs der European Respiratory Society (ERS) und Autor des Vorwortes: „Allein durch Maßnahmen gegen die Luftverschmutzung aus Kohlekraftwerken sind bedeutende Einsparungen bei den Gesundheitskosten möglich, vor allem vor dem Hintergrund, dass ein durchschnittliches Kohlekraftwerk eine Laufzeit von mindestens 40 Jahren hat. 2013 ist das europäische Jahr der Luft, in dem die EU-Gesetzgebung zur Luftqualität überarbeitet wird. Deshalb ist jetzt der richtige Zeitpunkt zum Handeln.“ Birgit Beger, Generalsekretärin des Ständigen Ausschusses Europäischer Ärzte (CPME): „Die europäischen Ärzte wissen, dass Luftverschmutzung ein großes Risiko für die Gesundheit ist, und der Ständige Ausschuss Europäischer Ärzte interessiert sich seit Langem für dieses Thema. Die Ärzteschaft engagiert sich dafür, die Öffentlichkeit und die Entscheidungsträger über neue evidenzbasierte Erkenntnisse zu informieren, und nutzt ihren Einfluss, um politische Veränderungen zu bewirken.“ _ |
| 12/04/2013 | 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. The proposal on the General Union Environment Action Programme (EAP) to 2020 ''Living well, within the limits of our planet’ is currently being discussed in the European Parliament and among EU Member States. HEAL welcomes the priority that is given to protecting citizens’ health and improving wellbeing in the Commission proposal of the 7th EAP, but urges Members of the European Parliament and environment ministers to strengthen goals and measures in key health-related areas. HEAL's position paper spells out why it is important to strengthen the health and environment dimension of the 7th EAP. |
| 12/04/2013 | Watch the video to celebrate Pesticides Action Week 2013 HEAL and PAN Europe have launched a video clip to urge organisations to join the “EDC Free campaign” as part of activities during Pesticides Action Week 2013. Find out about more activities here! Information release Brussels, 27 March 2013 – The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Pesticides Action Network Europe (PAN E) have launched a video clip to urge organisations to join the “EDC Free campaign” as part of activities in Pesticides Action Week (20-30 March 2013). Watch it here (1) “Endocrine disrupting pesticides” are one of the themes of this year’s Pesticides Action Week (Semaine pour les alternatives aux pesticides). The overall aim of the week is to highlight the risks to health and the environment from pesticides – and to promote the alternatives. In Brussels, HEAL and PAN E held a briefing for journalists and the video is one of the outcomes of the event. As the video explains, the EDC-Free campaign aims to keep the issue of regulating endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) firmly in the public eye and urge quicker governmental action on hormone disrupting chemicals to reduce our everyday exposure. The campaign was collectively launched by over 20 major public interest groups across Europe, including consumers and trade unions, public health and healthcare professionals, advocates for cancer prevention, environmentalists and women’s groups. The campaign website features news from EDC campaign partners on how they are raising public awareness and helping to reduce our exposure to build an EDC Free future in Europe. Organisations can join this initiative as campaign supporters on line, or sign up for EDC Free campaign news. Although HEAL and PAN Europe have been supporting Pesticide Action Week for many years at the European level, thousands of activities take place annually across the globe with the vast majority of them taking place in France, where the Pesticides Action Week was initiated by Générations Futures (formerly MDRGF) in 2006. Top-profile events in FRANCE included the release by Générations Futures of the first part of a new series of reports on endocrine disrupting pesticides.(2) Entitled, EXPPERT – EXposition aux Pesticides PERTurbateurs Endocriniens, the report looked at people’s exposure to certain endocrine disrupting insecticides in cereal-based food such as pasta, bread or cookies (as pesticide residues). It also addressed exposure through the use of common household products containing these insecticides, such as those used on bedding, in textiles, in the garden or in anti-flea or anti-tick treatments. “This report allows a clear understanding of the ubiquitous exposure to endocrine disrupting insecticides. Its ultimate aim is to create awareness among our politicians of the urgency of preventative action in this area,” says Francois Veillerette of Générations Future. The report, and others that will follow, are to be presented to the committee working on the future national strategy on endocrine disruptors in France, and to various relevant ministers. “The objective is to protect the health of children yet to be born by ensuring that in the future no human body or animal organism contains endocrine disrupting chemicals,” Veillerette concludes. The launch event in Paris this year provided the disappointing news that pesticide use had actually increased by 2.5% in France 2011. However, the announcement that Pesticides Action Week is now supported by the national beekeeping union and the association of mayors in France (l’Union nationale de l’apiculture française ou encore l’Association des maires de France) was strongly welcomed. (3) During the week, more good news came with the victorious outcome of the court case of French cereal farmer, Dominique Marchal. 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. (4) To reflect the extent of grassroots activity in France, the Pesticides Action Week website features a map with flags where “pesticide free areas” exist in different parts of the country. Anyone involved in the creation of pesticide free sites can upload a photo onto the website here. (5) BELGIUM: Belgian regional authorities in collaboration with NGOs launched a photo-and-map participation of pesticide-free areas in Belgium. Over 120 events to promote alternatives for non agricultural uses were planned, including conferences, workshops and talks, such as on how to garden without using pesticides. (6) SPAIN: Last year, HEAL member, Vivo Sano helped launch a major initiative in Spain bringing together a dedicated website and resources on “Semana sin pesticidas” in Spanish and English. (7) For its participation in Pesticides Action Week this year, Vivo Sano has released a documentary called “In Small-Print”, which shows how our health may be affected by endocrine disrupting chemicals, where you can find them and how you can reduce your exposure to them (in Spanish and English). (8) Organisations in Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Turkey are also planning to take part during the week. Since 2008, PAN Africa has helped organise events in conjunction with the ASOL network. This year, activities are planned in Benin, Burkino Faso, Congo, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Togo, and Uganda. ENDS Notes 1. Link to video – Ban on endocrine disrupting pesticides in Europe via PAN Europe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwUJGYklpKQ&feature=player_embedded or via HEAL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQzZ2Xp_Kjk&list=UUBA5kbMFnjYyRpfXg6ed-wg&index=1 2. Press release - Which endocrine disrupting insecticides are children exposed to everyday? Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, Part 1 of a report series (EXposition aux Pesticides PERTurbateurs endocriniens, EXPPERT enquiry 1), Generations Futures, http://www.env-health.org/resources/press-releases/article/which-endocrine-disrupting 3. Launch event, 18 March 2013, http://www.semaine-sans-pesticides.fr/non-classe/la-france-est-toujours-aussi-accro-aux-pesticides/ Main website: http://www.semaine-sans-pesticides.fr/ 4. Victoire juridique sans précédent pour un agriculteur malade des pesticides… et autres informations 5. Créons ensemble une carte de France des zones sans pesticides ! 6. Activities in Belgium at www.semainesanspesticides.be 7. Activities in Spain and video link at Semana sin pesticidas 8. In small-print documentary from Vivo Sano is available at http://www.vivosano.org/es_ES/Proyectos/InternationalProjects/DocumentaryInSmallPrint.aspx More information from info@env-health.org HEAL is a leading European not-for-profit organisation addressing how the environment affects health in the European Union. With the support of its more than 65 member organizations, which represent health professionals, not-for-profit health insurers, patients, citizens, women, youth, and environmental experts, HEAL brings independent expertise and evidence from the health community to different decision-making processes. Members include international and Europe-wide organisations as well as national and local groups. Website: www.env-health.org PAN Europe is a network of NGO campaign organisations working to minimise negative effects and replace the use of hazardous chemicals with ecologically sound alternatives. Our network brings together consumer, public health, and environmental organisations, trades unions, women's groups and farmer associations from across 19 European countries. We work to eliminate dependency on chemical pesticides and to support safe sustainable pest control methods. Website: www.pan-europe.info |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. The fifth and final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury (INC5) was held in Geneva in January 2013. Governments agreed to the text of a global legally binding instrument on mercury, naming it the “Minamata Convention on Mercury”, after a city in Japan where serious health damage occurred as a result of mercury pollution in the mid 20th Century. The treaty is scheduled to be signed at the Diplomatic Conference in Japan, at the Kumamoto Prefecture in October 2013. Although the agreement is a major accomplishment, the instrument is weighed down by weak controls on significant mercury pollution sources. UNEP concluded that mercury was a global pollutant of major concern in 2003, but only in 2009 did the UNEP Governing Council decide that a legally binding agreement was needed to address this crisis. Four years later a new global treaty has been agreed. The treaty is a mixture of mandatory and voluntary elements intended to control the growing global mercury crisis. There are some concerns that the treaty is not reaching far enough or fast enough to address the spiralling human health risks from mercury exposure. For example, there are weak controls on mercury emissions from major sources such as coal-fired power plants, which contribute significantly to the burden of disease from environmental pollution. It is not only the right time to reduce exposure to mercury from a public health perspective but also economically speaking. The most worrying aspect of human exposure to mercury is the effect of maternal levels on the foetus’ brain as it still develops in the womb. A recent assessment gathered from an EU bio-monitoring project showed that preventing environmental exposure to mercury could save the EU €8-9 billion per year by protecting children’s brain development. In spite of its shortcomings, the new mercury treaty presents a real opportunity to work towards the significant reduction of mercury globally. It contain provisions that may be used to positive effect by governments, NGOs, and others that wish to undertake mercury minimisation and reduction efforts. We hope that the EU will contribute to supporting actions to reduce our exposure to mercury. More information on the report here More information on the study “Economic benefits of methyl mercury exposure control in Europe’ here |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. Lisette van Vliet, Senior Policy Advisor on Chemicals and Chronic Disease Prevention at HEAL will be co-hosting this Partnership Call with the US based Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE). The call will be moderated by Michael Lerner, President of Commonweal, a non-profit health and environmental research institute contributing to a safer world for people and all life. Today much of the discussion in Europe about when to regulate hazardous chemicals links to the issue of when to take precautionary action, before there is enough certainty about forthcoming harms to qualify as preventive action. The European Environmental Agency (EEA) released the second volume of Late Lessons from Early Warnings earlier this year, which follows from the first publication released in 2001 where many of the cases continue to be valid today. During the first part of the call David Gee from the EEA, a leading expert on the precautionary principle, and initiator and co-author of both volumes, will discuss the first volume of Late Lessons and look at how we can learn from historical case of environmental and health disasters. The discussions will then move on to looking at the case studies on hazardous chemicals (Benzene, Asbestos, PCBs and DES). The distilled twelve late lessons from the case studies will be covered in the latter part of the call. The call will take place on Tuesday 16 April at 09h Pacific / 12h Eastern / 17h CET. More information available here |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. HEAL’s latest report, which highlights that the health cost of coal-fired power stations add a financial burden to the EU population of up to €42.8 billion a year, has received widespread media and policy attention. The report marks the beginning of a coal and health campaign for HEAL in Europe. Launched during the EU Year of Air, the report highlights important opportunities to improve public health through cleaner air. Medical professionals are already starting to address climate change through coal in Australia, Canada and India which link to HEAL’s work as part of global working group on coal and health. The 2011 British Medical Journal (BMJ) conference statement supported by over 500 health and security experts called on governments to ban the building of unabated coal power plants and to phase out the operation of existing coal-fired plants. HEAL´s report focuses on coal power plants in Europe and provides testimonies from leading health advocates, medical experts and European policy-makers and the health community on how to address the unpaid health bill and ensure that it is taken into account in future energy decisions. More information on the report here |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. The European health report, which is published every three years, calls for measurements of well-being as a marker of progress. The recent report reveals that although people are living longer and healthier lives due mainly to decreases in certain causes of death and efforts to address risk factors, major inequities in life expectancy are found between men and women, between countries and between population groups. For example, life expectancy for women reached an average of 80 years in 2010, while that for men was 72.5 years. Lifestyle and occupational differences largely explain this gap. Non – communicable diseases (NCDs) account for the largest number of deaths at 80%. Diseases related to the circulatory system such as heart diseases and strokes account for nearly 50% of all deaths, followed by cancer, causing around 20% of deaths. The report also highlights how cancer has replaced cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of premature death (before the age of 65) in 28 of the 53 countries in the European Region. Environmental factors are estimated to be responsible for 13–20% of the burden of disease in Europe. They contribute significantly to increased risks for a number of non-communicable, chronic diseases, notably cancer and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Evidence indicates that air pollution accounts for, on average, eight months – and more than two years in the most polluted cities – of life lost. More information here |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. The charter and the cross-party committee were presented at a breakfast meeting at the National Assembly on 27 March 2013. Its recommendations are based on an extensive senate investigation into the use of pesticides in France, the third biggest user in the world after USA and Japan. The investigation findings highlighted that “the risk of pesticide use has been, and continues to be, underestimated” and “the procedure for market authorisation is inappropriate and should be revised.” The senatorial committee was initiated by three associations in France: Agir pour l'environnement, Générations futures (a member of HEAL) and the bee-keepers union (l'Union des apiculteurs UNAF). Chantal Jouanno, a senator for the UMP party said that the debate about pesticides in France had changed profoundly with greater understanding of the role of endocrine disrupting chemicals. “You cannot have healthy people in a sick planet », she said. ''Todays epidemics are related to EDCs and their accumulation in our food and environment.'' The Charter is supported by a new group of medical doctors in France. Dr Pierre-Michel Perinaud, a general practitioner from Limoges, told the launch meeting that many health indicators are flashing in red not only for farmers but also for bystanders. He said doctors were particularly about the studies showing the effects of pesticide exposure on the foetus. Certain farmers are also supporting the Charter, such as Dominique Marchal from the network Victims of Pesticides (Phyto-Victimes). He told the meeting that his leukaemia, diagnosed in 2002, was provoked by substances in the pesticides and herbicides in the products he had used at work. This month, a high court had judged that the state should pay him compensation. More information here http://www.comiteeluspesticides.fr/ |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. The court of appeals of Nancy confirmed a ruling by the claims commission of Epinal (Commission d’indemnisation des victimes d’infraction), which has ordered the authorities to compensate Dominique Marchal, a cereal farmer. In 2006, Marchal was the first person in France to win recognition that his leukaemia was work-related. When he first became ill, it was his wife who suspected that his daily exposure to pesticides during the spraying on their 100,000 hectare farm might be the cause. When medical authorities refused the idea that pesticides could be the cause, the Marchals conducted their own investigation and had samples analysed. When the results came back they showed that 40 per cent contained benzene, a substance known to increase the risk of leukaemia but which was not listed in any of the labels on the pesticide products. The amount of the compensation is still to be determined after an expertise. More information here |
| 11/04/2013 | EDC Free campaign website launched by coalition of public interest groups 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. The diverse group of more than 25 campaign partners including trade unions, public health and healthcare professionals, advocates for cancer prevention, environmentalists and women’s groups launched a campaign call for action via a new website www.edc-free-europe.org and social media tools (Facebook and Twitter). Campaign partners are deeply concerned about EDCs because they may be making all of us more susceptible to many serious and potentially lethal diseases and health disorders. These include reproductive and fertility problems, cancers, neurological impairment, and obesity and diabetes. People are most vulnerable to endocrine disruption during infancy and childhood, and especially before birth, when developing in the womb. The website highlights how we are all exposed to hormone disrupting chemicals (or EDCs) in our daily lives. EDCs can be found in consumer products such as cosmetics, soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, shaving creams, mouth washes and cleaning supplies as well as clothes, electronic and consumer products. EDCs can be found as pesticide residues in the food we eat, and make their way into food when used in metal cans, plastic food packing or containers. Recent human biomonitoring studies from across Europe have found certain EDCs in both children and their mothers. Just last month, the European Parliament called for more action to protect health and reduce exposure. Despite growing evidence from the WHO and leading medical experts that exposure to EDCs is contributing to a range of health problems, governments have been slow in regulating and eliminating this exposure. The EDC Free campaign call for action arises from the urgent need to reduce people’s exposure to EDCs and states what the EU and national governments should do. Soon, the EU will come out with a new EDC Strategy. The EDC Free campaign partners expect it to effectively prevent further ill-health associated with EDCs and lay out actions and time tables for eliminating our exposure, and be based on the most up to date science that is fit for purpose in the 21st century. What we want The campaign call for action’s four demands are: 1. A revamp of all relevant EU laws to reduce our exposure to EDCs 2. Set out a timetable to capture all sources of EDC exposure ‘across the board’ 3. Respond more swiftly to early warning signals and 4. Enhance public awareness of EDCs. More information below Visit the website here www.edc-free-europe.org Read the campaign call in full here – Text- EN pdf - FR pdf Become a campaign supporter here Subscribe to campaign news here |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. The views of stakeholders on the 2030 framework for climate and energy policies, the successor of the 20-20-20 package (20% greenhouse gas reductions, 20% energy efficiency improvements, 20% renewable energies share by 2020) will feed into the Commission´s on-going preparations for more concrete proposals for the 2030 legislative framework which will be presented by the end of 2013. In a recent report on the health impacts of coal power plants HEAL has called on EU policy makers to prioritise investments in renewable energies and energy efficiency in order to decrease the health impacts from fossil-fuel based power generation. According to the EU Commission, developing a 2030 framework is necessary to provide certainty and reduced regulatory risk for investors as well as for the EU carbon market (EU-ETS); to help mobilise funding for renewable energies and energy efficiency measures; support progress towards a competitive low carbon/green economy; and establish the EU's 2030 ambition level for GHG reductions which will send an important signal for a new international agreement on climate change foreseen for 2015. The 2030 framework will build on the experience and lessons learnt from the 2020 framework and will identify where improvements can be made. It will also take into account the longer term perspective set out by the Commission in 2011 in the Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050, the Energy Roadmap 2050 and the Transport White Paper. More information available here |
| 11/04/2013 | 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 the full interview here |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. The event, hosted by MEPs Satu Hassi and Claudiu Ciprian Tanasescu, brought together leading medical experts, decision makers and civil society organisations to learn about the latest science on health effects of air pollution and discuss what needs to be done for cleaner air in Europe. Air pollution continues to be a top health concern: it is responsible for nearly half a million premature deaths each year, and severe impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular health. A recent Eurobarometer shows that citizens share the concerns about air pollution, with 87% of Europeans considering air-quality related diseases a serious problem in their country, and the majority wanting the EU to do more. In his keynote speech, Prof. Bert Brunekreef from the University of Utrecht, and member of the European Respiratory Society (ERS), presented the 10 Principles for Clean Air, a set of policy recommendations from ERS, to help deliver cleaner air for all. The Principles summarise the scientific state of the art and aim to provide guidance for public health policy. Recommendations include the need to reduce concentrations of fine particles and ozone and to tackle roadside and non-tailpipe emissions, as well as the need to assess the impact of other sources of air pollutants like biomass burning. The Principles also underscore the link between climate change and ill-health. In the principles, lung experts highlight especially that current limit values in Europe for particulate matter offer no protection from adverse effects on public health, as they are far above recommendations by the WHO and also well above the US air quality standards. Participants also heard interventions from Caroline Gillisens from Alpha-1 Belgium Patient Group, who made the case on how reducing air pollution will especially help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and from Scott Brockett (DG Environment), Migle Masaityte (Permanent Representation of Lithuania) and Roberto Bertollini (WHO chief representative to the EU). The event underlined again the urgency of measures to reduce air pollution at the local, national and EU level. The recent history of the EU’s air pollution policy has been characterised by several delays and missed opportunities. But the 2013 EU Year of Air offers the chance to make things right. HEAL and over 60 environmental, health and citizens’ organisations from across the EU urge the EU Institutions to agree on three priority actions and to start working towards these as soon as possible: 1. The adoption of ambitious reduction commitments in the revised NEC Directive, both for existing and ‘new’ pollutants 2. The adoption of sector legislation to cut emissions from all major sources 3. The enforcement and strengthening of ambient air quality limit values. |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. Despite progress in recent years, air pollution continues to be a top health and environmental worry in Europe, with exceedances of EU air quality standards especially in cities. 2013 will be the year in which the Commission's current air policy is reviewed, with a focus on finding ways to improve the quality of the air we breathe. Therefore we are pleased to see that this year´s EU Green Week is focusing on ´cleaner air for all´. HEAL´s Deputy Director Anne Stauffer will be participating at an event on Air quality, energy and climate change: triple challenge, triple opportunity which takes place on 5 June from 11:30 - 13:00 (session 3.4). This session will focus on the links between the energy – climate – air-quality systems, which provide opportunities for integrated policy development leading to win-win-win situations, while avoiding unwanted trade-offs (e.g. household climate-friendly wood burning with uncontrolled PM emissions) in Europe. HEAL Executive Committee member Roberta Savli of the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases (EFA), will be a panellist at an event focused on Planetary boundaries in the context of air quality: empowering actors to act, urgently which takes place on 5 June from 16.30 – 18.00 (session 5.1). This session will focus on issues such as how to change the current course which is damaging to air quality and by engaging citizens (especially the most vulnerable groups), politicians and the industry in attempts to diminish the health hazards and environmental degradation as a result of air pollution. It will also look at what is needed to empower these actors to act in favour of better air quality and how environmentally ambitious businesses can help to improve air quality and reducing pollution. More information on Green Week including the agenda and how to register is available here |
| 11/04/2013 | 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. Article: Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is of particular concern for sensitive groups such as children or people with respiratory disease. The HealthVent project, which began in 2010, has developed health-based ventilation guidelines to help protect people in places like schools, nurseries, offices and homes against the health problems caused by poor indoor air quality and to encourage energy to be used efficiently. The results were recently presented at an event in the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Catherine Stihler. The participants at the event agreed that coordinated actions should be launched towards both outdoor and indoor air on the principle that it is the “same air” that affects human health. The HealthVent guidelines must be the starting point for further initiatives aimed at integrating health evidence in all existing and future policies on indoor air quality. HEAL’s Deputy Director Anne Stauffer spoke on the first panel focused on the impacts on clean air policies. She urged members of the European Parliament to include an EU strategy on indoor air quality in the proposal on the 7th EU Environmental Action Programme. The full report of the event is available for download here. Later this month, the results of the SINPHONIE project on indoor air quality in schools will also be launched in Brussels. SINPHONIE conducted the largest assessment to date on the air pollution situation in Europe’s schools, with thirty-eight environment and health institutions from 25 countries participating. At the event on 23 April, participants will discuss recommendations on European guidelines for healthy environments within European schools. HEAL’s Deputy Director Anne Stauffer will be participating at this event. As part of the project, informational brochures for school staff and parents, and children, have been developed in twenty languages, which can be downloaded from the website http://www.sinphonie.eu/publications To register please confirm your attendance by 12 April to Coordination_Sinphonie@rec.org |
| 14/03/2013 | 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. A new paper entitled ‘Assessing the public health impacts of urban air pollution in 25 European cities: Results of the Aphekom project’ has just been published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. Aphekom scientists performed health impact assessments using routine health and air quality data, and a common methodology. Two scenarios were considered: a decrease of the air pollutant levels by a fixed amount and a decrease to the WHO air quality guidelines. The results reveal that in the 25 cities, the largest health burden was attributable to the impact of chronic exposure to the particulate matter PM2.5. European citizens are still exposed to concentrations exceeding the WHO recommendations. Aphekom provided robust estimates confirming that reducing urban air pollution would result in significant health and monetary gains in Europe. Complying with the WHO guideline of 10ug/m3 in annual mean for PM2.5 would add up to 22 months of life expectancy at age 30, corresponding to a total of 19.000 deaths delayed. The associated monetary gain would total some 31 billion EUR annual, including savings on health expenditures, absenteeism and intangible costs such as well-being, life expectancy and quality of life. This work is particularly relevant now when the current EU legislation is being revised in 2013. Photo: 2012 Policy Workshop EU Year of Air - Dr. Hanns Moshammer, Medical University Vienna, presents the results of the EU funded APHEKOM project on air pollution and health. |
| 14/03/2013 | 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. The Clean Air in London Awards 2013 aim to broaden and deepen the impact of the Clean Air in London campaign by recognising those who have made a valuable personal contribution to improving air quality in London. Anne Stauffer of HEAL was among one of the 24 individuals who was given an award. Anne continues to advocate for cleaner air for a healthier society and thoroughly deserves this award. In the words of Simon Birkett, Founder and Director of Clean Air in London, “It is tremendous to recognise the contribution of many people from across the political spectrum and from campaigners to scientists and business leaders. Individually and collectively, these wonderful people have ensured that air pollution is regaining the attention it deserves’’. The full list of 24 individuals who received an award is available here |
| 14/03/2013 | 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. The study, the largest of its kind ever conducted and involving millions of births around the world found that higher pollution levels raised the risk of low birth-weight. HEAL member, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) says this new study is very helpful in establishing another health impact of air pollution. As the average effect is fairly small, it needs enormous cross country studies such as these to quality the effect. The ever-present nature of particulate air pollution exposure poses a great public health concern and a greater risk of life-long effects of low birth weight on health. The study focused on tiny particles called PM10 and smaller PM2.5 which are known to be linked to heart and lung diseases as well as early death. The particles originate from various sources including diesel exhausts, coal power plants and factory emissions. |
| 14/03/2013 | 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. The recent editorial, entitled´Physicians roles on the front line of climate change´ provides the facts that climate change can lead to various health problems including increased mortality as heat waves become more intense; a rising incidence of allergies and; the spread of infectious diseases into new areas. This is not the first time that doctors have flagged up the threat of climate change to public health. In 2011, the American Medical Association published its own version and in 2009, the British Medical Journal called climate change “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.” The editorial lays out what health experts have already concluded about climate and health — that an estimated 140,000 deaths per year since 1970 can plausibly be attributed to climate change, for example, or that by 2030 the world will be spending between $2 and $4 billion annually in climate-related health costs. It also points out what may not yet be clear to physicians: that they’ll be the first responders to this growing health crisis. The piece calls on doctors to take concrete action, either by signing the Doha Declaration (a document resulting from the UN climate change talks in Doha last year), and encouraging others to do as well as working to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions at the hospitals and clinics where they practice. HEAL is one of the signatories of The Doha Declaration on Climate, Health and Wellbeing. |
| 14/03/2013 | ‘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. ‘The Climate Bonus: Co-benefits of Climate Policy’ highlights the links between low carbon policies and their co-benefits, and shows how low carbon policies can lead to cleaner air and water; the conservation of forests; more sustainable agriculture; less waste; safer and more secure energy; cost saving measures for households and businesses and; a stronger and more stable economy. The book discusses the ways in which joined-up policies can help maximise the synergies and minimise the conflicts between climate policy and other aspects of sustainability. By thoroughly analysing the facts, Smith presents well-reasoned and evidence based recommendations for policy-makers and those interested in achieving a healthier society. The book develops the understanding that we can use the challenge of climate change to move away from our dependence on fossil fuels to a cleaner and more sustainable future. “This book makes a very important contribution to the climate debate. It will enable both policy makers and the general public to understand that reducing our fossil fuel dependency won’t just benefit the climate, but people’s health across the board, as a result of cleaner air, healthier diets and more opportunities for walking and cycling,“ says Genon Jensen, Executive Director of HEAL. Read the book here |
| 14/03/2013 | 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. HEAL welcomes the new version of the SIN list, which has added more chemicals to the prior 2.0 list. The SIN list aims to facilitate and hasten the development of the REACH list of Substances of Very High Concern (the central list of most hazardous chemicals). It provides progressive companies with a helpful list of hazardous chemicals to avoid as they aim for a sustainable future. HEAL, a member of the NGO advisory group of the SIN List, continues to advocate for a toxics and EDCs free future by advocating that EU and international chemicals policies to take a precautionary approach to chemicals regulation, and to phase out hazardous chemicals as swiftly as possible. ChemSec have identified 626 chemicals in the SIN List 2.1, and has placed new information about the producers of these SIN chemicals in the SIN List database, which was gathered from the REACH registration dossiers. A recent development affecting the ongoing identification of Substances of Very High Concern in REACH is the release of the Commission’s 2020 Roadmap. Under the roadmap, Member States and ECHA will evaluate up to 440 substances as part of the goal to place all known relevant SVHCs on the ‘Candidate List’ by 2020, according to a preliminary estimate. The estimate is cited in the roadmap, which was sent to the Competitiveness Council (Ministers for Internal Market, Industry and Research) and the Environment Council (Environment Ministers) in February 2013. The 440 number is much lower than the figure of about 1,500 substances that was originally floated around by some EU officials. The Commission is asking for a voluntary Risk Management Options (RMO) analysis to be performed on each substance. This RMO purports to indentify the best regulatory route to address the risks posed by a substance, either through various REACH regimes - authorisation, restriction or substance evaluation - or outside of REACH. However, the RMO process is not derived from the REACH legal text, which solely mandates the identification of SVHCS according to their intrinsically hazardous properties. Environment, health and other NGOs and trade unions have strongly criticised the RMO approach being used to determine which substances be identified as SVHCs. Follow-up: SVHC roadmap available here |
| 14/03/2013 | 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. MEPs recently held a first exchange on the Commission’s proposal for the 7th EAP entitled “Living well, within the limits of our planet”, which aims to provide an overarching framework for environment policy up to 2020, with nine priority objectives for the EU and its Member States to attain. Strengthened implementation of EU environmental legislation is of cross-party importance, as well as better access to justice for EU citizens and better communication. MEPs criticised the missing sense of urgency of the Commission proposal, and called for an inclusion of deadlines for action. Better health protection through measures on nano-materials, endocrine disruptors (EDCs), chemicals mixtures, noise reduction and air pollution exposure were also raised in the debate. HEAL urges MEPs and Member States to make sure the 7th EAP particularly protects the health of vulnerable groups and provide a way forward in the 7th EAP on EU action on human bio-monitoring and a strategy on indoor air quality. The 7th EAP is one of the flagship initiatives of the Irish EU presidency (from January – June 2013), which aims to reach a first reading agreement by June. The EP’s ENVI committee is scheduled to adopt their position at the end of April. |
| 07/03/2013 | The Unpaid Health Bill - How coal power plants make us sick How are coal power plants making us sick? Read the full report here to find out how to address the unpaid health bill How is coal pollution making us sick? A new report launched on 7 March 2013 by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) aims to provide an overview of the scientific evidence of how air pollution impacts health and how emissions from coal power plants are implicated in this. It presents the first-ever economic assessment of the health costs associated with air pollution from coal power plants in Europe as well as testimonies from leading health advocates, medical experts and policy makers on why they are concerned about coal. The report develops recommendations for policy-makers and the health community on how to address the unpaid health bill and ensure that it is taken into account in future energy decisions. Download the full report here Download the Executive Summary here Press release FR - ES - IT - RO - DU Media coverage updated 15 March 2013 here Prof Jean-Paul Sculier, Secretary for European Affairs, European Respiratory Society (ERS), author of the Preface says, “Addressing air pollution from coal power plants alone has the potential to yield significant savings to health budgets, especially given that an average coal power plant operates for at least forty years. As 2013 is the European Year of Air where a review of EU air quality policy will take place, this is the right time to act.” Birgit Beger, Secretary General, Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) “European doctors know air pollution to be an important risk factor for health, and the CPME has a long-standing interest in this topic. Health professionals are committed to bringing new evidence-based information to the public as well as to decision makers and using their voice to bring about policy changes.” Further testimonies available here |
| 19/02/2013 | WHO report calls endocrine disruptors a ’’global threat’’ In a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a group of international experts say that evidence linking hormone-mimicking chemicals to human health problems has grown stronger over the past decade, becoming a "global threat" that should be addressed. Information release Brussels, 19 February 2013 – In a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) entitled State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, a group of international experts say that evidence linking hormone-mimicking chemicals to human health problems has grown stronger over the past decade, becoming a "global threat" that should be addressed. HEAL is very pleased that this report has been published. It reiterates the reason that we need swift action on EDCs: because they could be having significant impacts on public health (contributing to reproductive problems in boys, breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, developmental effects on the nervous system in children, attention deficit /hyperactivity in children and thyroid cancer), not to mention wildlife and ecosystem health. A key point of the report is that reducing people and wildlife's exposures to EDCs in various ways is an important focus for action. Previous government measures to reduce exposures have been effective and helped decrease the frequency of disorders in humans and wildlife. To reduce these exposures the report makes clear that we sorely need better testing of chemicals, because current methods capture only some of the endocrine disrupting effects of the potentially 800 plus endocrine disrupting chemicals out there. At the same time the report underlines that we need more and better monitoring of the EDC chemicals in our bodies (human biomonitoring) in order to know and tackle our exposures. The EU for example does not have any established systematic monitoring that is representative and comparable across countries, and therefore does not have EU-wide information on people’s exposures for chemicals that are being used in the EU-wide market. The report is a timely confirmation that the EU is facing a crucial opportunity to effectively deal with EDCs - the Commission has forthcoming proposals – first, on how the EU should tackle EDCs in a coherent overarching policy (the EU EDCs Strategy); and second how the EU should identify EDCs so that they can be banned, phased out or otherwise properly managed (the criteria to identify, risk assess and test for EDCs). The response to and application of the EU strategy and criteria by Member States and the companies which produce or use these chemicals will also be vital to reducing people's exposures. Contacts Lisette van Vliet, Ph.D., Senior Policy Adviser, Chemicals and Chronic Disease Prevention, HEAL, Email: lisette@env-health.org, Tel: +32 2 234 36 45. Mobile: +32 484 614 528 Genon K. Jensen, Executive Director, HEAL, Email: genon@env-health.org, Tel: +32 2 234 3642, Mobile: +32 495 808 732 Notes to editors Report summary available here Full report here WHO/UNEP Press release Important facts in the report |
| 14/02/2013 | HEAL announces entries for “Health and Environment Film Prize” The five selected documentaries focus on how environmental issues impacts human health. They also demonstrate originality and boldness. The documentaries address a range of issues e.g. exposure to everyday chemicals, human sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, the harmful side-effects of “carbon credit” projects in poorer countries ... Page disponible en francais ici Brussels, 28 January 2013 – The five documentaries selected for the ‘Health and Environment Film Prize’ competition have been announced by the 30th International Environmental Film Festival (FIFE). (1) The films were selected by the festival organisers and will be shown as part of the official programme in Paris from 19-26 February 2013. (2) They will be judged in the health and environment documentary competition, a joint initiative between the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and FIFE aimed at highlighting the links between health and our environment in documentary films from around the world. Subjects addressed in the five selected films are: exposure to everyday chemicals; human sensitivity to electromagnetic fields; the harmful side-effects of “carbon credit” projects in poorer countries; the losses to health and well-being from large-scale; genetically-modified agriculture in Argentina; and, the threat to all aspects of health posed by losing traditional rights to land in Australia. For more information on the prize and the campaigns of our members related to the topics at the festival please click here (brochure in FR) The films are listed below. (3) Health & Environment documentaries Click here to view the trailers Unacceptable levels, Ed Brown, USA, 2012 (in English, French subtitles) Exposed constantly to over 80,000 chemicals in products all around us, our bodies contain about 200 synthetic industrial compounds that are interacting in our cells. Les Sacrifiés des ondes, Jean-Yves Bilien, France, 2012 (in French) All of us are made up of sensitive electrons. We are all sensitive to electromagnetic waves in our environment. Heritage Fight: le combat pour demain, Eugénie Dumont, France, 2011/2012 (in English, French subtitles) In one of the few remaining untouched areas of Australia, the little village of Broome is fighting against the installation of the second largest gas plant on the planet. Pour un lopin de terre, Maria von Munster & Cyril Crusson, France, 2011 (in Spanish, French subtitles) What are the consequences for the land and for the inhabitants in Argentina of a massive cultivation of genetically-modified soya? La Ruée vers le carbone, Amy Miller & Anne Miller, Canada, 2012 (in French) What is a “Carbon credit”? What happens when the markets are called upon to sort out the climate crisis? Who gains and who suffers? The directors of four of the five films will be in Paris for the festival screenings. The winner will be awarded with the HEAL/FIFE trophy at a ceremony on 26 February. Judges in the Health & Environment Film Prize competition The members of the jury who were chosen by HEAL are Sylvie Gilman, television documentary film director; Robert Barouki, a leading research scientist at Inserm, Paris; Sylvia Medina, an expert in air quality and public health; Yannick Vicaire, Reseau Environnement Sante (RES) and Nadine Lauvergat, Generations Futures representing two leading not-for-profit organisations addressing health and environment in France; Sascha Gabizon, representing Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) and Monika Kosinska of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), the largest network of non-governmental organisations working on health in Europe. (4) Contacts Diana Smith, Communications, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), E-mail: Diana@env-health.org Tel: +33 1 55 25 25 84, Mob: +33 6 33 04 2943 Notes 30th International Environmental Film Festival (FIFE) website at http://www.iledefrance.fr/fife-english/ The programme, “Premiere” features the five health and environment documentaries on page 7 (FR) Screening dates, times and trailers of the documentaries are available here More details about the judges in the Health and Environment Film Prize jury are available here. |
| 07/02/2013 | 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. The aim of the 2013 EU Year of Air is to highlight the importance of clean air for all and to focus on actions to improve air quality across the European Union (EU). The Conference organised by the EC, WHO and US Health Effects Institute in Brussels, provided the opportunity for policy makers and experts to review the evidence base on health effects and discuss how to strengthen EU air policies. As EU Commissioner for Environment Janez Potočnik has recognised the need for EU air policy to be based on the latest science, he commissioned the WHO to carry out a review of evidence on health aspects of air pollution. The so-called REVIHAAP project has developed evidence-based responses to questions on general aspects of the importance for air quality management, as well as specific topics of interest related to individual air pollutants. A Scientific Advisory Committee has guided the review conducted by a group of academic experts across the world. The WHO review found new evidence of the effects of long-term exposures to ozone (O3) on respiratory mortality and on deaths among persons with predisposing chronic conditions. This adds to previous findings on short-term effects. Over 80% of Europeans are exposed to particulate matter (PM) levels above the 2005 WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs). On average, this deprives each citizen of 8.6 months of life. The report recommends further modifications to EU law, as the current limit value for PM2.5 in the EU's ambient air quality directive is twice as high as the AQG recommendation. These newly found health effects of air pollution call for stronger European Union air policies. HEAL supports this call to action, as current EU air standards do not protect our health, and many member states have been unacceptably slow in implementing them. During the conference, HEAL also highlighted the need for greater integration of the air pollution issues into other EU policies, especially health, research and transport. The conference also provided important opportunities to compare regulatory approaches in the US and the EU. The US Environmental Protection Agency has just tightened the PM2.5 standard to almost the level the WHO recommends, based on a review of the latest evidence. More information on the Health Effects Institute here WHO/Europe Press release 31/01/2013 - Newly found health effects of air pollution call for stronger European Union air policies |
| 07/02/2013 | 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. Black carbon was only recently recognised as a short-lived climate-forcer, which contributes to warming the Earth's atmosphere. The dangerous particles emitted from sources, such as diesel engines, coal fired power stations and wood-fired stoves are now thought to have about two-thirds the climate impact of carbon dioxide (CO2). A recent WHO/Europe report presented the results of a systematic review of evidence of the health effects of black carbon in ambient air. Toxicological studies suggest that black carbon may operate as a universal carrier of a wide variety of chemicals of varying toxicity to the human body. Although black carbon may not be a major, directly toxic component of fine particulate matter, reducing people’s exposure to particulate matter containing black carbon should reduce its effects on their health, as well as helping to mitigate climate change. HEAL believes that reducing soot emissions in Europe would bring significant benefits to climate and public health. Access the WHO/Europe 2012 report here |
| 07/02/2013 | Health groups disappointment on EP noise vote Health groups highly regret the outcome of today's EP plenary vote on noise reduction. MEPs have watered down a draft law to address the issue of vehicle noise and have missed an opportunity to improve public health. Today, the European Parliament has shown a depressing lack of commitment when it comes to improving the quality of life and health of European citizens. The majority of MEPs regretably 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 the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and sustainable transport group Transport and Environment (T&E) and have all expressed their disappointment today. Click on the press releases below for more information. Joint HEAL T&E press release ''European parliament condemns European citizens to noisier cities'' available here Joint HEAL EPHA press release ''Beyond disappointment – European lawmakers on the side of automobile industry on traffic noise vote'' available here Ahead of the vote, HEAL produced a briefing outlining our concerns and health evidence on EU vehicle noise emission standards. HEAL Briefing available here |
| 07/02/2013 | 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. The Eurobarometer survey, which looked as issues such as the level of knowledge about air quality and the impact of various sectors and activities on air quality, revealed that Europeans are highly concerned and want more information about the situation in their country. Some main findings: 17% of Europeans say they suffer from respiratory problems due to air pollution. 87% thinking respiratory diseases are a serious problem (with at least six out of ten respondents in every country holding this opinion). More than nine out of ten (92%) Europeans consider cardiovascular diseases to be a serious problem in their country. 87% of Europeans think asthma and allergy are a serious problem, with an absolute majority of respondents in each country making this statement. When asked to identify factors having an impact on air quality, emissions from cars and trucks (96%) and emissions from industrial production and fossil fuel power stations (92%) were most likely to be mentioned as having an impact. Respondents who think that respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and asthma and allergy are serious problems in their country are all more likely to say that each type of emission has an impact on air quality. For the full survey click here |
| 07/02/2013 | 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. The report, which is an updated and expanded version of Volume 1 of ‘Late Lessons from early warnings’ assesses the use of scientific evidence and the precautionary principle across a wide range of human health and ecosystem case studies as well as covering current and emerging issues. Case studies include the stories behind industrial mercury poisoning; fertility problems caused by pesticides; hormone-disrupting chemicals in common plastics; and pharmaceuticals that are changing ecosystems. The report also considers the warning signs emerging from technologies currently in use, including mobile phones, genetically modified organisms and nanotechnology. Late Lessons II is a key report because it demonstrates that action on early warning signs is necessary for protecting health and the environment. It helps create a better understanding of the ways in which scientific knowledge is financed, created, evaluated, ignored, used and misused which affect timely and precautionary decisions about how to reduce harm. It also describes how precautionary decisions can stimulate innovations. The report suggests that precautionary action on harmful chemicals will encourage the development of alternatives and could actually drive innovation in this area. It provides guidance on how to maximise innovation and minimise harm. With much scientific uncertainty about the real impact of new products and technologies, policy-makers face difficult decisions, particularly when they have to deal with powerful commercial interests and economic trade-offs. Both historical and current chapters provide unique insights into how the precautionary principle has been applied or ignored, and the consequences. Download the publication here |
| 07/02/2013 | 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 consumers’ products. This event, hosted by MEP Catherine Stihler will focus on a presentation of the health-based ventilation guidelines and their impact on ambient and indoor air quality policies as well as energy policies. The HealthVent project aims to protect people in places such as schools, nurseries, offices and homes against health problems caused by poor indoor air quality, and at the same time will ensure that energy is utilised efficiently. The 2013 EU Year of Air and the revision of the ambient air legislation mark an appropriate moment to stress the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) and place it at the heart of the energy efficiency strategy. Europeans spend most of their time in indoor environments and a poor indoor air quality is responsible for 2 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in the 27 EU Member States conjointly every year. This consortium event will present the results of the HealthVent project. HEAL member European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Organisations (EFA) is a partner of HealthVent, and will provide the patients’ perspective on indoor air quality. Other speakers include senior researchers, policy-makers, representatives of patients’ organisations and other interested stakeholders. HEAL’s Deputy Director Anne Stauffer will provide some input on the policy perspective on indoor air quality. More information available here To register for the event please contact Roberta Savli roberta.savli@efanet.org |
| 06/02/2013 | France bans BPA in food packaging France is 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. In November 2012, the French Parliament approved a law banning Bisphenol A (BPA) from all food contact materials in 2015, and as from 1 January 2013 for those intended for 0 to 3 years old. The Senate and National Assembly have now adopted this law. La Mutuelle Familiale, a partner of RES has invested many years in the prevention of health risks related to the environment and welcomes this ban. As this new ban will only come into force on 1 January 2015, with the exception of babies where it will apply for infants of 0-3 years from 2013, Mutuelle Familiale reiterates its call for a comprehensive policy to reduce exposure to EDCs. As part of Mutuelle Familiale’s continuing commitment to reducing these risks for the general public, it is currently hosting an exhibition that highlights the adverse effects of EDCs in our daily lives and calls for action to protect us against the effects of chemical pollutants. These actions are recommended in particular for the most vulnerable groups - pregnant women, infants and young children. This exhibition was created in partnership with the RES and French Mutuelle Familiale Ile-de-France. Download the RES press release here |
| 01/02/2013 | Work for HEAL Call for tender - Communications Specialist (framework contract) HEAL is looking for a communications professional to work with the HEAL staff in our ongoing communications, media and press work. Interested applicants must fulfil all of the following criteria: A minimum of 5 years of experience in developing press releases and media dossiers on environment and health policy issues and campaigns at EU level Access to proven and comprehensive list of environment and health national and EU media contacts Experience in working exclusively with the non-profit sector Native English speaker Ability to be flexible in agreeing monthly planning dates for carrying out tasks in order to meet HEAL deadlines. Main responsibilities will include: Communication and editing support to the HEAL secretariat and member organizations and partners Press releases preparation and follow up, including media monitoring Working closely with Communications and Campaign Officer to maintain HEALs network and database base of press and media contacts Representing HEAL at press and media events Proposing and/or preparing journal, newsletter and website articles Outlining communications material for various activities and holding interviews with stakeholders Collection of relevant information and priority issues arising from HEAL’s work plan Providing input and implementation support on the organization’s communications strategy Other projects as agreed with the Executive Director Conditions The contract offered is a framework contract, which will be awarded for work carried out between 15th March 2013 – 14th March 2014. It will require on average 11 days work per month. The contract may be renewed. Please send expressions of interest together with your CV and full details regarding these criteria, plus daily rates including overheads and VAT if applicable to Sara Azcona Zabala sara@env-health.org by 15th February 2013 mentioning “Tender for communications expert” in the subject line. Expressions may also be sent via the post to Sara Azcona Zabala, Finance and Administrative Officer, HEAL, 28 Boulevard Charlemagne, 1000 Brussels. |
| 07/01/2013 | Early-life prevention of non-communicable diseases For the first time, the leading international health journal, The Lancet has featured the need to address early-life and toxic exposures to metals, chemicals and air pollution in the prevention of non-communicable disease. In early January a commentary article appeared in the journal by a team of experts who took part in the Prenatal Programming and Toxicity (pptox) III conference in Paris in May 2012. For the first time, the leading international health journal, The Lancet has featured the need to address early-life and toxic exposures to metals, chemicals and air pollution in the prevention of non-communicable disease. A commentary article on the Early-life prevention of non-communicable diseases appeared in The Lancet, 4 January 2013, was submitted by a team of experts who took part in the Prenatal Programming and Toxicity (pptox) III conference in Paris in May 2012. It says that much more attention should be given to “early-life interventions, optimisation of nutrition, and reduction of toxic exposures to curtail the increasing prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCDs)”. Authors of the Comment are led by John M Balbus, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA; Robert Barouki, Université Descartes, Paris, France; Philippe Grandjean, University of Odense, Denmark; Maria Neira, World Health Organization, and some leading representatives of health and environment NGOs, including Genon Jensen, Executive Director of HEAL. The article says that although causal relations have not yet been established, the new science of epigenetics offers insight into mechanisms of early life predisposition to adult disease risk. It states: “An increasing amount of evidence suggests that developmental exposure to nutritional imbalance or environmental contaminants including metals, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, and chemicals in drinking water, such as triethyltin, chloroform, and trihalomethanes can affect epigenetic changes, thus suggesting a mechanism for their effects on adult health. Similarly, prenatal exposure to air pollutants has been associated with epigenetic changes and subsequent effects on children's respiratory health.” The article concludes that the integration of NCD prevention with the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could leverage major worldwide investments in health and development. Full article: Early-life prevention of non-communicable diseases, The Lancet, Volume 381, Issue 9860, Pages 3 - 4, 5 January 2013- please register online for free to download the article |
| 11/12/2012 | HEAL’s reaction to proposal for 7th EU Environment Action Programme 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. 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. Environment Action Programmes have guided the development of EU environment policy since the early 1970s, and are instrumental in driving policy change at the EU and national level. The current proposal “Living well, within the limits of our planet” aims to provide an overarching framework for environment policy up to 2020, with nine priority objectives for the EU and its member states to attain. Health protection is enshrined in priority goal three to safeguard EU citizens from environment-related pressures and risks to health and wellbeing. The Commission rightly stresses that water, air pollution and chemicals remain among EU citizens’ top environmental concerns. When it comes to moving from the analysis of environment-related health problems to outlining which measures can be taken to reduce the exposure of the population, the Commission’s approach simply falls short. This relates especially to dealing with hazardous chemicals, where too much emphasis is placed in the proposal on the uncertainty around health and environment impacts of chemicals, and further strengthening the knowledge base. Yet the precautionary principle and recent EU legislation already require measures to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals through phase out and substitution. Therefore, the main priority until 2020 is not to close the knowledge gap, but to set up a timeline and targets for things such as how many substances of very high concern under the European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use (REACH) should be assessed each year, and by when pesticides and biocides with endocrine disrupting properties will be assessed and substituted. HEAL would have also like to see the recognition of the important role that coordinated EU human biomonitoring plays in assessing the population’s exposure to hazardous chemicals and how it can guide policy decisions. EU Environmental Ministers had called for fostering biomonitoring in their conclusions of June 2012, and yet it is absent in the current proposal. There is also a lack of recognition on the significant health benefits that can be reaped by increasing the EU’s climate change ambition and a faster move to a low-carbon economy. HEAL would also like to see stronger emphasis on how to reach the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) air quality guidelines. The current limit values in Europe for particulate matter offer no protection from adverse effects on public health. The limit values are far above recommendations by the WHO and also well above air quality standards in the USA and other developed countries. The proposal will now go to the European Parliament and the EU Environment Ministers. It is one of the flagships of the Irish EU presidency which starts in January 2013. |
| 11/12/2012 | 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. There is increasing evidence on how exposure to noise from traffic damages our health. A recent study from Denmark has shown a link between long-term exposure to road noise and health, when they found that for every 10 decibel increase the risk of a heart attack grows by 12%. Noise is also very much a concern for Europe’s citizens, environmental organisations and local authorities: Cities, noise experts, politicians and social and environmental organisations have come together in support of a joint declaration calling on the EU to increase the ambition level of European noise limits for new vehicles. The joint declaration “A Sound Investment to Reduce Vehicle Noise” puts forward a five step plan which will reduce traffic noise levels by half in urban areas. We urge MEPs voting on the new Vehicle Noise Directive to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to substantially and cost-effectively improve the health and well-being of EU citizens. Sign the Joint Declaration here! |
| 11/12/2012 | 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. 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. Rapporteur MEP Åsa Westlund’s draft report shows strong concern about the public health impacts indicated from the cumulative array of scientific evidence, and underlines the need to reduce human exposures. The draft report also calls for the EU to consider introducing a separate regulatory hazard classification for endocrine disruptors, and to introduce appropriate testing requirements for EDCs in all related EU legislation. The Rapporteur and her opposite numbers from the other political groups are now discussing incorporation or rejection of 157 proposals for changes to the report (compromise amendments). The Committee will vote on the draft report and the compromise amendments on January 23rd. The current draft report is available in all the EU languages here |
| 11/12/2012 | EU Commission announces review of pesticide chlorpyrifos The review of chlorpyrifos is one of the first-ever cases in which an approved pesticide is being reviewed. Chlorpyrifos, an insecticide used on grapes and potatoes, was approved provisionally in 2006. A study published earlier this year showed: "Prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphate insecticide, is associated with neurobehavioral deficits in humans and animal models." These new findings increase concern that chlorpyrifos is harmful to health and that the present EU standards may not be protective enough. In June 2012, the German institute for risk assessment advocated for a reassessment of the human health risks associated with chlorpyrifos. In addition, chlorpyrifos is a persistent and bio accumulative chemical in the environment and can travel long distances. It is shown to be present almost everywhere in the environment, food and air, even in the Arctic. More information on the US studies: Brain anomalies in children exposed prenatally to a common organophosphate pesticide Does the home environment and the sex of the child modify the adverse effects of 2 prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos on child working memory? |
| 11/12/2012 | 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 European Commission (EC), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Health Effects Institute at the end of the month. A recent report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) has highlighted that there are persistent problems with particulate matter and ozone concentration levels, the pollutants deemed most dangerous to health. In cities, almost every European citizen is exposed to concentrations harmful to health. In 2013, HEAL will step up its activities around air quality and health to ensure that the latest studies, such as the WHO REVIHAAP project, are used to underpin decisions on which measures are needed to further reduce air pollution. HEAL will also highlight the benefits to health from linking climate and air quality policies and action. HEAL will collaborate closely with members from its network such as the ERS, ELF and EFA on education, advocacy and information activities throughout the year. On 8 January, HEAL’s Executive Director, Genon Jensen, will be discussing with the Irish Environmental minister, Phil Hogan, Lisa Jackson from the US Environmental Protection Agency and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) what can be done in 2013 to improve people’s health at the EEB air quality conference "Blowing the winds of change into European air policy". More information on the event here. |
| 11/12/2012 | 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. The study published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health provides further evidence that certain occupations pose a higher risk of breast cancer than others, particularly those that expose the worker to potential carcinogens and endocrine disrupters. The authors found that women who worked for 10 years in jobs classified as highly exposed to carcinogens and endocrine disrupters had a higher risk of breast cancer. Sectors with increased risk included agriculture, bar/gambling, automotive plastics manufacturing, food canning and metal-working. The risk factor was especially high—five times higher than in the control group—for pre-menopausal women working in the automotive plastics and food-canning sectors. Canning industry exposures could include pesticide residues and exposures specific to canning processes involving coating emissions, likely to include Bisphenol A (BPA). The findings showed that women who are more exposed to cancer causing substances have a 42% higher risk of getting the disease than those who are not exposed to these kinds of substances. Canadian Jim Brophy, one of the lead researchers said the study suggested that occupation represented a bigger risk factor for the women in these jobs than genetics or life-style choices. "Occupation as a risk factor for these women in these jobs is considerably more significant than many other known or suspected risk factors", he said. UK research contributor, Andrew Watterson who is director of the Centre for Public Health and Population Health Research at the University of Stirling in Scotland said the findings were applicable in other parts of the world. “The chemicals will have the same toxic effects. The same diseases will develop,” he said. He pointed out that even minuscule amounts of EDCs like BPA can be worrisome. “This research is raising big questions both about what the [workplace] standards are - and even about what happens if conditions are very good, with low-level exposures,” Watterson told journalists. In her reaction to the findings, Jeanne Rizzo, president and CEO of the Breast Cancer Fund focused on prevention: “No one should have to face a cancer diagnosis because of the work they do. These workers are the canaries in the coal mines—we need to heed the warning of this study and take measures to protect them and all of us from toxic chemical exposures.” |
| 11/12/2012 | Agreement on renewal of the Kyoto Protocol at UN climate talks After two weeks of intense negotiations, the international climate conference, UNFCCC COP18 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. The 18th session of the Conference of the Parties COP18 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC took place in Doha, Qatar from 26 November - 7 December 2012. There were two major expectations for this year’s international climate talks. On the one side, the prolongation of the Kyoto Protocol with a so-called second Commitment Period and on the other side, the hope for a comprehensive new climate treaty for 2015 (which would sooner or later replace the Kyoto Protocol). The European Union (EU) and more specifically its potential higher reduction target of 30% for 2020 played an important role for Parties in finalising an agreement on a second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol. Health aspects were also reflected under different negotiation items. For example, there was increased attention for black carbon, which acts as a short term greenhouse gas and a hazardous air pollutant at the same time. Secondly, adaptation was important in the global climate talks, given that impacts are already occurring and science is increasingly able to link extreme weather events to climate change. Several civil society organisations hoped to establish the new concept of ‘loss and damage’ to better reflect the situation of the most affected countries. The newly set up Adaptation Committee is running under UNFCCC and featured in COP 18 discussions. The WHO hosted an official side event at COP18 on building resilient health-care systems in the light of climatic changes. Civil society organisations from the health sector were also represented in Doha. As a partner in the Global Climate and Health Alliance, HEAL contributed to the development of a joint statement which was launched at COP18 by health re-calling the Durban declaration, the call to action and reflecting the growing level of urgency. More information on the Doha health Declaration here |
| 11/12/2012 | 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. The comprehensive report assesses the vulnerability of different sectors including human health to climatic changes and identifies the regions most at risk. The key message is that climate change is already occurring in Europe and that it has caused a wide range of impacts on society and ecosystems. The report also focuses on health impacts, highlighting that climate change is already contributing to the burden of disease and premature death in Europe. The projected changes are expected to cause substantial health costs in Europe for example 26,000 heat-related premature deaths per year are projected for 2020, increasing to more than 120,000 by 2080. This assessment also reiterated the importance of keeping the 2 degrees target: the number of heat stress fatalities by 2080 would be reduced to almost one-half if global average temperature rise is limited to 2 degrees Celsius. Another finding presented by EEA is that between 775,000 and 5.5 million people in the EU could be affected by flooding and mudslides. Climate change is also projected to support the trend of northwards and vertically upwards shift of a range of communicable disease vectors, such as tick species, mosquitos and sandflies and likely to increase the prevalence of food-and water-borne diseases in Europe. Read the executive summary or the report here. |
| 11/12/2012 | 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. This new Swedish study adds weight to earlier reports which have shown that children are highly susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution and suggest that exposure early in life may be particularly harmful. The study included more than 1,900 children who were followed from birth until the age of eight. Exposure to outdoor concentrations of particulate matter from road traffic during the first year of life was especially associated with a reduced lung function at the age of eight. This negative association was particularly pronounced for boys, children with asthma and particularly in children sensitised to allergens. Exposure to traffic-related air pollution after the first year of life appeared to have less impact on subsequent lung function. This study shows that early exposure to traffic-related air pollution has long-term adverse effects on respiratory health in children, particularly among those with allergies. More information available here. |
| 11/12/2012 | 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 region chapter of Marburger Bund, a medical doctors association with over 110,000 members in Germany. The Berlin (Brandenburg) local chapter of Marburger Bund hosted a press conference in Berlin as well as a panel discussion event in October 2012 to address concerns over about how air pollution from nearby coal power plants may be harming their community’s health. The panel included Dr. Med. Günther Jonitz, president of the Berlin chamber of the German Medical Association and Martin Adams of the European Environment Agency. The event was widely covered by local media. Five large coal power plants are located in the Polish-German border region of Lusatia, burning locally extracted lignite (commonly known as brown coal or soft coal), which is the dirtiest fossil fuel. Due to massive releases of sulphur and nitrogen oxides as well as particulate matter, the power plants contribute to chronic respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Air pollution levels in several parts of the Berlin-Brandenburg region have been exceeding EU limit values during previous years. The briefing is available in English and German |
| 11/12/2012 | Building a pesticide free future - How to get involved in the Pesticide Action Week! For several years HEAL has been an international 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. HEAL and its members will actively participate during this week including activities from RES, WECF and Generations Future and PAN Europe - more details on the partners of Pesticide Action Week here Get involved! It’s easy! Pesticides Action Week offers the perfect opportunity to become involved in the call to reduce pesticide use for better health protection. This international event aims to raise awareness on the health and environment risks of synthetic pesticides, highlight alternative solutions and build a global grassroots movement for a pesticide-free world. Each year local, national and international organisations join an ever expanding global movement. Every single person, association, company, local government, teacher and other stakeholders are welcome to participate. Actions can be big or small ranging from 10 people visiting an organic garden to 500 people attending an international congress! Be inspired to host or plan your own creative action to raise awareness on the health and environment risks of synthetic pesticides! You can register your event here To view the programme and for more information visit www.pesticidesactionweek.org |
| 23/11/2012 | A Sound Investment to Reduce Vehicle Noise Traffic noise is one of the most widespread environmental problems in the European Union. HEAL, T&E and EEB have issued a five step plan that 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! Cities, noise experts, politicians and civil society organisations have come together in support of a joint declaration calling on the EU to increase the ambition level of European noise limits for new vehicles. Read the Sound Investment Joint Declaration below and add your name to the list. A Sound Investment - Joint Declaration Traffic noise is one of the most widespread environmental problems in the European Union, we therefore welcome the European Commission’s revision of the existing Vehicle Noise Directive (70/157/EEC) which adopts tighter noise emission limits for vehicles. There is strong evidence that noise affects the health of one in three EU citizens and that steps to tackle noise from vehicles, including tyres, are overwhelming cost effective (research shows that benefits outweigh costs by more than 30 times). Accordingly, we urge the European Parliament and Council to agree a package of amendments to the Directive that strengthen the Commission’s proposal (2011/0409 COD) by: Accelerating the introduction of the revised standards, with step 1 to be enforced in 2013 and step 2 in 2015; Setting out a pathway for further noise reductions, by introducing a further step to enter into force in 2020 that achieves a significant further reduction in noise from vehicles; Ensuring that testing is representative of real world noise emissions Requiring information on vehicle noise to be publicly available; and Introducing stricter limits for highly intrusive peak levels of noise This five step plan is a sound investment, reducing by half traffic noise in urban areas. We urge members of the European Parliament and Environment Council to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to substantially and cost-effectively improve the health and well-being of EU citizens. Sign the Joint Declaration here More information: WHO (2011) press release and report TNO (2012) Reduction of vehicle noise emission – Technological potential and impacts T&E, HEAL, EEB (2012) New EU vehicle noise limits |
| 12/11/2012 | Revising the EU strategy on endocrine disruptors: nearing a decisive moment HEAL has published a commentary in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, arguing that there is an urgent need to revise the EU strategy on endocrine disruptors. Many studies link EDCs with chronic diseases and disorders, such as testicular, breast and prostate cancers, decline in sperm counts, reproductive organ deformities, thyroid dysfunction, intelligence and neurological problems. We need updated EU policy on EDCs which could effectively prevent further ill-health and limit peoples’ exposures. HEAL has published an article on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in a leading international epidemiology and public health journal, the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. In its commentary, HEAL argues that there is an urgent need for revising the EU strategy on endocrine disruptors. Although the volume of scientific research on EDCs is enormous and continues to grow, a recent report on the implementation of the EU Strategy fail to convey any urgency about the continuing public exposure to EDCs. Many studies link EDCs with chronic diseases and disorders, such as testicular, breast and prostate cancers, decline in sperm counts, reproductive organ deformities, thyroid dysfunction, intelligence and neurological problems. The implementation of the 1999 European Community’s Strategy on endocrine disruptors has been far too slow given the gravity and irreversibility of the potential implications from the science on negative health impacts of EDCs. Therefore HEAL urges decision makers to push for an ambitious a new EU EDC Strategy which could effectively prevent further ill-health and limit exposure. A revised EU Strategy should systematically overhaul EU laws to respond swiftly to early warnings, triggering policy based actions. The forthcoming criteria for identifying and assessing EDCs need to capture those EDCs suspected of harmful impacts to which almost everyone is continually exposed. EU laws should be amended or strongly implanted to phase out EDCs. In the absence of scientific certainty, we urge decision makers to adopt policy actions based on the precautionary principle, for quick and effective responses. The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health is an international peer-reviewed journal for health professionals and researchers in all areas of epidemiology. Read the introduction of the full article here: http://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2012/11/08/jech-2012-201747.short?rss=1 |
| 07/11/2012 | UN organises screening of film on chemicals and health We warmly invite you to tonight's Ciné-ONU documentary screening of Submission. The documentary is about the 100,000 chemicals we come into contact every day, what they’re used for and what they do to us and our health. Brussels, 7 November – The United Nations and Goethe Institute in Brussels is holding a screening tonight of the Swedish film, Underkastelsen (Submission) about the effects of today’s chemical society on our health. The event takes place at the Goethe Institute at 18.30 on Wednesday, 7 November 2012 and will be followed by a question and answer session with: Ms. Lisette van Vliet (Senior Policy Advisor on Chemicals and Chronic Disease Prevention for the Health and Environment Alliance) Mr. Roberto Bertollini (WHO Representative to the EU in Brussels and Chief Scientist of the WHO Regional Office for Europe) Submission is a documentary about the chemical society that we have been building since the Second World War. Since 1945, the amount of chemicals we use has increased from 1 million tons to 500 million tons per year. The film focuses on the effect that chemicals have on our bodies and our health. Unlike other documentaries which focus on the chemicals in our food, “Submission” investigates the chemicals we are exposed to in our daily lives, such as softeners (phthalates), flame retardants (PBDE) and surfactants (PFOS, PFOA). It investigates the chemicals found in our bodies and shares the insights of various experts on the consequences of those chemicals for the world surrounding us and our unborn children. "One of the most important films of the century" Michael Stanley-Jones, United Nations. MORE INFORMATION: "Underkastelsen | Submission", by Stefan Jarl, is in Swedish with English subtitles and has a runtime of 87 minutes. To watch the trailer, find the Goethe Institute and more, visit: http://www.unric.org/en/next-screening REGISTRATION: There is no entrance fee, but as places are limited, it is important to register by sending an email to: cine-onu@unric.org, with the subject field “Submission” and your full name and full name of guest (if applicable). Maximum tickets per person: 2. If you do not receive a confirmation of your registration via e-mail, please contact us again. TRAILER: Underkastelsen - Submission from Jalin Film AB on Vimeo. |
| 09/10/2012 | 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. This year’s AGA produced a new HEAL Executive Committee, elected by members. Peter van den Hazel from the International Network on Children’s Health, Environment and Safety (INCHES) in the Netherlands was voted in as the new President and Yannick Vicaire of Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) in France as the new Vice President. Dave Stone of Natural England in the UK continues to be Treasurer. Two new additional Executive Committee members were voted in: Irina Rodriguez De la Flor of Fundación Vivosano in Spain and Roberta Savli of the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) in Belgium. Genon Jensen, Executive Director presented HEAL’s recent achievements and copies of HEAL’s annual review 2011 were distributed. It covers the six main policy areas environment & health, children’s health, chemicals, pesticides/biocides, air quality and climate change amongst others. Members took part in an interactive session on the future work programme and agreed its content. They also agreed the accounts, welcomed two new members: the Coalition of Associations in Healthcare (CAH) in Croatia and the Environment and Health Fund (EHF) in Israel, and learnt that HEAL would celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2013. After the business meeting, the two policy workshops sessions involved a range of stakeholders from other NGOs and the EU institutions. The first workshop focused on the ‘EU Year of Air’ and discussed how to reduce air pollution to improve health. But participants were also introduced to a small, electric, lime-green car that took measurements of air quality in different streets around the EU headquarters. Organised by leading researcher on air pollution and health, Professor Bert Brunekreef of the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) at the University of Utrecht, the little green buggy provides exciting potential as a communication tool in policy advocacy. The second workshop addressed how endocrine disruptors (EDCs) can be linked to chronic diseases. Carol Kwiatkowski, Executive Director of the US Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX) described a powerful web-based tool that assesses research on EDCs and links them to diseases. TEDX is a global advocacy leader on EDCs. Group picture of HEAL members present at HEAL's Annual General Assembly |
| 09/10/2012 | Global consensus achieved on EDCs At the international conference (Nairobi, 17-21 September), delegates agreed to include new measures related to the United Nation’s voluntary chemicals management programme, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). One key development was the decision to add endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as an emerging policy issue, to develop a work plan and to implement a series of activities on EDCs with an emphasis on the needs and risks posed by these chemicals for developing countries. HEAL is very pleased with the recognition of EDCs as a global concern, especially the specific reference to protecting vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and children. The release of a new WHO publication, “Endocrine disrupters and child health: Possible developmental early effects of endocrine disrupters on child health”, underscored the need for this focus. HEAL hopes this new prioritisation and commitment within the SAICM framework will facilitate science-based information exchange, dissemination and networking on endocrine disrupting chemicals and that it will improve the availability and access to information on such chemicals and help close current knowledge gaps on effects of EDCs and ultimately reduce exposure and harm from EDCs. The agreement foresees providing international support for activities to build capacities in countries, in particular developing countries and countries with economies in transition, for generating information and for assessing issues related to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in order to support decision-making, including the prioritisation of actions to reduce risks. A workshop was also held in Nairobi on the 2012 report on the state of the science of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, jointly developed by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization. Technical details on this long-awaited report were presented. The report itself should be released in the near future. More information: Press release of IPEN Web coverage of the conference including interventions and summary report Press release of Réseau Environnement Santé: Les perturbateurs endocriniens, une cause mondialement reconnue ! WHO/UNEP EDC presentations WHO (2012): Endocrine disrupters and child health: Possible developmental early effects of endocrine disrupters on child health HEAL EDC workshop on Chronic Diseases and Endocrine Disruptors, (Brussels, 14 September) European Parliament public workshop: Endocrine Disruptors and Impact on Health (Brussels, 18 September 2012) |
| 09/10/2012 | UK reports the health impacts from climate change The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) welcomes the report by the Health Protection Agency as it highlights again the need for health to be at the centre of climate change deliberations. While the HPA report predicts health impacts for the UK that are quite worrisome, it also shows that health protection results from well-designed policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While climate change is already taking its toll on human health and preparing for future challenges is imperative, greater damage can only be averted through mitigation. As co-chair of the WHO Climate Change and Health Task Force, the UK has led efforts to put both adaptation and mitigation on the agenda of health ministries throughout the 53 country European region resulting in a Framework for Action in 2010. HEAL would like to see more countries assessing how people’s health is at risk from climate change and how climate action on the other hand brings large benefits to wellbeing and good health. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions will similarly decrease air pollution and thus produce rapid benefits for health. A recent report by HEAL showed that moving from a 20% to a 30% EU emissions reduction target for 2020 will create additional health benefits for the European Union of up to €30.5 billion every year. In the UK, this translates to about €1 billion savings per year made up from less incapacity due to breathing problems, fewer working days lost, less asthma medication and fewer hospital admissions because of cleaner air. From a health perspective, there is no time to wait. The WHO European Regional Framework for Action on health and climate change is available online here. The UK HPA report on health impacts from climate change in the UK can be found here. |
| 09/10/2012 | HEAL Policy Workshop on Air Quality Next year will be the EU Year of Air during which the European Commission will review EU air policy. To inform civil society on the outlook and about new knowledge on the current status of air quality and related health impacts, HEAL held an air quality policy workshop during its Annual General Assembly in Brussels. The event brought together representatives of civil society organizations, scientists from several EU Member States as well as officials from the European Commission and European Environment Agency. Currently, many EU Member States are not meeting EU air quality standards, which means that many citizens especially in the larger cities are exposed to dangerously high levels of pollution. Nor is the EU on track for meeting the 2020 air quality targets laid out in the 6th EU Environmental Action Programme, which aimed at achieving levels of air quality that do not give rise to significant negative impacts on human health and the environment. As shown in the 10 Principles for clean air presented by the European Respiratory Society (ERS), even current EU standards do not confer protect public health. This makes closing the gap between current values of pollution and EU targets even more urgent. Recent findings on air pollution in cities from the multi-country research project APHEKOM stress the importance of improving compliance. Air pollution from fine particulates currently costs up to 22 months of life expectancy for urban dwellers. In contrast, if WHO air quality guideline values for this pollutant were achieved in 25 cities, up to EUR 31.5 billion could be saved annually in health costs. The APHEKOM project also found a close relationship between living close to busy roads and both the development of asthma in children and respiratory and cardiovascular disease in older people. About 1,000 schools in London are built close to busy roads, according to the campaign Clean Air in London. A real time monitoring of air quality in different streets in the EU quarter of Brussels by a team from the University of Utrecht (IRAS) made clear to workshop participants that busy streets can experience much higher levels of air pollution than other, quieter neighbouring roads. Examples of how well some cities have tackled air pollution from diesel vehicles were presented by the city ranking project Soot Free Cities, comparing measures implemented by 17 European cities. The top runners in the ranking were Berlin, Copenhagen and Stockholm. These kinds of projects can be used by local authorities to adopt better measures to reduce air pollution and to help with compliance to EU air quality limit values for pollutants (EU Directive 2008/50/EC). Many cities could reduce large amounts of emissions of pollutants that pose a threat to health by addressing traffic. Traffic is the most important source of emissions of nitrogen dioxides (NO2), particulate matter (PM10) and carbon dioxides (CO2.), and the largest contributor to climate change. Participants of the workshop also agreed that the 2013 EU Year of Air should be used to discuss as well how to improve indoor air quality, which is closely linked to outdoor air pollution. Click here for more photographs of the air measuring event or the workshop. |
| 09/10/2012 | BMA launches flagship report on healthy transport The report Healthy transport = Healthy lives by the British Medical Association assesses the adverse effects of predominant car use, which results in: a suppression of active travel; more air pollution; more traffic noise; more injuries, and, reduced physical activity. Higher levels of inactivity contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, overweight and obesity, and some cancers. The report also points out that health inequalities result from socially disadvantaged people being more likely to live near busy roads and are thus at greater risk of the negative effects of noise and air pollution. The report details the positive effects on health of walking and cycling as active ways of transport as well as the benefits of public transport systems, which help achieve recommended levels of physical activity and cause lower emissions of air pollutants. Because barriers exist to the use of public transport among rural populations, older people and so on, the report provides relevant detailed policy recommendations. It makes a strong pledge for a paradigm shift in transport policy towards healthy means of transport. The Health and Environment Alliance supports the recommendations made in the report and emphasizes the importance of a health-centred transport policy to reduce rates of chronic diseases and protect public health, which is documented in this very well researched UK report. Other European countries facing similar transport situations and massive public health challenges should equally factor in the report’s findings. The full report is available online at http://bma.org.uk/transport |
| 09/10/2012 | 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 The report confirms the urgency in addressing air pollution as a public health and environmental protection issue. Air pollution has been linked to many short and long-term health impacts. These include irritation of the airways and respiratory tracts, causing and exacerbating asthma in children, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, and contributing to rising rates of cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. Given that national healthcare budgets are under increased pressure from costs associated with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular disease, preventing ill health through improved air quality should be a top priority; not only will save health care costs, it will also increase quality of life for European citizens. The EU Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potocnik has designated 2013 as the EU Year of Air. The aim is to focus on a strengthening of air quality laws to tackle the problems associated with air pollution. HEAL and our member organisations and partners will provide expertise on the process of reviewing EU air policy. We will especially highlight impacts on vulnerable groups, such as children or those suffering from asthma and airways disease. We also aim to put a spotlight on the win-win situations for health that can be reaped from linking EU climate and air policy. Medical experts say that current EU air quality standards do not protect our health (see the European Respiratory Society’s “10 principles for clean air”). In comparison to the health-based guidelines set by the World Health Organization (which are based on a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence on health effects), concerns focus on the less strict EU standards for particulate matter and ozone. The EU Year of Air should conclude with greater awareness of the toll on health from poor air quality, proposals on how to reduce air pollution at source and the strengthening EU air quality standards. |
| 09/10/2012 | 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 The quality of the indoor air is important for health and well-being, as we spend the majority of our time indoors. The participants brought together in SINPHONIE, the observatory network in Europe on schools indoor pollution and health analysed the sources of air pollution such as hazardous chemical emissions, bad ventilation or damp and mould problems. They also brought together information on the children’s health status. Children are particularly vulnerable to effects of indoor air pollution. The 53 health and environment ministers of the WHO European Region recognised this threat to children’s health and committed in 2010 in the Parma Declaration and commitment to act. For the first time, ministers adopted time-bound goals to protect children’s health from a variety of environmental threats. One of the aims is to provide each child with a healthy indoor environment in child care facilities, kindergartens, schools and public recreational settings and make these environments smoke-free by 2015. SINPHONIE will also provide recommendations for policy-makers on how to improve indoor air quality in schools, including an analysis of guidelines and measures taken in individual EU member states. 2013 will be the EU Year of Air to raise awareness on air pollution and discuss measures to reduce it. HEAL hopes this Year of Air will also provide many opportunities to discuss policy options and measures to improve indoor air quality and give the issue greater prominence on the EU agenda. |
| 09/10/2012 | Study on GMOs strongly suggests need for reform The study conducted by Professor Gilles-Eric Séralini and partners at CRIIGEN (Committee for Research & Independent Information on Genetic Engineering) is the first animal feeding trial to identify the lifetime effects of exposure to maize that is genetically modified to tolerate the weed killer, Roundup. Rats fed on a diet containing NK603 GM maize or given water containing Roundup died earlier than rats fed on a standard diet. They suffered mammary tumours and severe liver and kidney damage. The study met with criticism from some independent scientists who criticised the work for its statistical methods and for using the wrong type of rat. These findings are important because this is the first time scientific research has shown a link between GM food crops and negative health outcomes. The research is also the first to show the impact of Roundup consumption over a two-year period – the lifespan of a rat. Previous studies on GM crops and Roundup have stopped at 90 days; this study showed that the most serious health impacts only started to show at a later stage. Dr Michael Antoniou, a molecular biologist at Kings College, London, who acted as an adviser to Seralini's team believes that these are very important findings. He said: “At the very least, what this study highlights is: firstly, the need to test all GM crops in two-year, lifelong studies; and, secondly, when looking at testing the toxicity of herbicides/pesticides, we need to test the full agricultural formulation and not just the active ingredient.” The findings also underline the importance of the precautionary principle and scientific research on low-dose effects and chemical mixtures. More information: Reaction from HEAL member Réseau Environnement Santé Copies of the research can be obtained on request from CRIIGEN and from Food and Chemical Toxicology. |
| 09/10/2012 | Tuna presents health risk in school lunches The study is part of the Mercury Policy Project which promotes policies to eliminate mercury use and reduce mercury exposure. The study demonstrated that high consumption, combined with children’s small body weights, can result in mercury doses for some children that exceed US federal safety guidelines. Children who eat two medium servings of albacore (white) tuna per week could be exposed to as much as six times the dose that federal guidelines consider safe. These results also concern places in the world where even more tuna is consumed. A study from The Globefish Research Programme, FAO (2003) indicated that, in the EU, the main consumers of canned tuna are Spain with 2.18 kg/year/inhabitant, Italy with 2.05 kg/year/inhabitant, Portugal with 1.81 kg/year/inhabitant and the United Kingdom with 1.57 kg/year/inhabitant. The Mercury Policy Project tuna study also contains a risk assessment section which explains how the science has evolved since the US fish consumption advisory for mercury was issued in 2004. Exposure risks are considered much greater than was thought just eight years ago. Philippe Grandjean, professor of environmental health at Harvard University’s School of Public Health, and professor and chair of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, who studies mercury in seafood, says: “Since the EPA adopted that standard, some studies indicate it may be too high. Our research suggests that this limit should be decreased by 50%. If anything, the (Mercury Project) report underestimates the risks associated with regular tuna intake." More information: http://mercurypolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mpp_tuna_surprise_final_final.pdf |
| 09/10/2012 | New study associates mercury exposure to attention deficit disorder The study showed that children exposed to higher levels of mercury or lead are three to five times more likely of having problems associated with ADHD. The Inuit population is exposed to mercury through high fish consumption and lead enters their diet primarily through the lead pellets used in hunting. One of the most intriguing findings was that mercury was linked to attention deficits while lead was associated with hyperactivity. The difference may be a question of timing: mercury exposures are in the womb whereas lead exposures are during childhood. The authors say these results are consistent with recent evidence of adverse effects from postnatal lead exposure at levels well below the current “safe” level used by public health authorities. This strengthens HEAL’s call to raise awareness of the health and societal hazards of exposure to mercury and the importance of reducing exposure. This also reaffirms the need to focus on protecting vulnerable groups, e.g. children or pregnant women, and to share good practice and advocacy tools for increased action and policy change. Scientific evidence demonstrates that mercury has many other adverse effects on health. Even low levels of mercury exposure can have adverse impacts on the development of babies’ brain and nervous systems. Methylmercury has also been linked with possible harmful effects on the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems in adults. The most common exposure to this type of mercury comes from eating seafood. HEAL participates in the International POPs Elimination Network and the Zero Mercury Working Group, and uses our Stay Healthy Stop Mercury Campaign to work for a global phase out of mercury uses and trade. More information on the study: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/2012/10/prenatal-methylmercury-postnatal-lead-exposure-and-evidence-of-attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-among-inuit-children-in-arctic-quebec/ |
| 09/10/2012 | Take action now! 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. Help us call on governments to recognise that a carbon intensive economy and changing climate contributes to major health problems and increased mortality rates. Support us 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. Let your voice be heard at the debate by filling in the public consultation on ensuring sustainable development globally. The deadline is 15 January 2013. Act now! ECHA launches a public consultation on 54 potential Substances of Very High Concern The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launcheda public consultation on 54 potential Substances of Very High Concern. Interested parties are requested to provide a non-confidential version of their comments/information in the relevant field(s) of the commenting form of each substance, which ECHA may make available to the public. The deadline is 18 October 2012. Interested parties can post their comments on the ECHA website. Act now! Scientific Committees: open call for experts in nanotechnology To meet the expected demand for safety assessments of nanomaterials in cosmetic products, the Commission’s Health and Consumers Directorate General intends to identify relevant experts who will assist the work of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). The selected experts will assist the SCCS in the safety assessment of nanomaterials in cosmetic products. The deadline for submissions to the “Call of expression of interest for experts in nanotechnology is 15 October 2012. Act now! Capture the invisible for the EEA photo story competition A competition has been created by the European Environment Agency (EEA) inviting participants to tell a story about Europe's air in three pictures. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of air quality. The competition is open to all citizens of European Union Member States and several other countries which cooperate with the EEA. Participants must submit three pictures and a short text which tells a story about air, choosing one of four themes: air and health; air and technology; air and nature; and air and cities. Deadline for submissions is 7 October. Act now! Have your say on the future of EU noise policies as a citizen, organisation or public authority 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. Comments are sought on potential measures such as 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 a first implementation report on the END from June 2011. The deadline to submit views is 25 October 2012. Act now! |
| 09/10/2012 | 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. Loukas Georgiou, Health Attaché, Cyprus Permanent Representation, Cyprus EU Presidency discussed chronic disease in relation to the work of the EU Health Council and the Cyprus Presidency Conference on ‘Healthy Aging across the Lifecycle’. Robert Barouki, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Paris Descartes University gave a talk on the science of prenatal exposure and EDCs drawing on the outcome of the recent Paris PPTOX conference; a scientific consensus statement which includes implications for public policy. The statement was written by five leading international scientists (Dr Barouki, Peter D. Gluckman, Philippe Grandjean, Mark Hanson, and Jerrold J. Heindel. It now has 87 cosignatories from scientists all over the world. Already published in the journal Environmental Health, it will soon be featured in The Lancet. Carol Kwiatkowski, Executive Director of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), USA demonstrated the Critical Windows of Development timeline: A science based tool for exploring environmental origins and disease. The case studies included the partnership between Réseau Environnement Santé and the Parisian-based health insurance Mutuelle Ile-de-France, in which posters make up part of an exhibition on EDCs; the report from the Flemish Cancer League (Belgium) on Cancer and Environment; the EDCs campaign from the Health Defense Organisation/Fundacion Vivosano in Spain; and printed materials from the BPA campaign of Breast Cancer UK. These were followed by an animated panel discussion involving Peter Korytar from the European Commission, DG Environment, including exchanges on the role of educating health professionals, the consumer demand, and the need to create incentives for green design and green chemistry. Participants heard that EU Health Ministers have shown interest in prevention measures that address the early stages of life and that this will be reflected in the Health for Growth programme. Other policy developments and opportunities were discussed. Speakers table (left to right): Mr Loukas Georgiou, Cyprus Permanent Representation; Mr Robert Baroucki, INSERM; Ms Lisette van Vliet, HEAL; Ms Carol Kwiatkowski, TEDX Click here for the photo album on the workshop. |
| 22/09/2012 | HEAL has a new president Peter van den Hazel, representing INCHES, was voted HEAL president 2012-2014 at the Annual General Assembly in Brussels on Thursday, 14 September 2012. Yannick Vicaire, Reseau Environnement-Sante, France became Vice-President and Dave Stone of Natural England continues as Treasurer. Peter van den Hazel, representing INCHES, was voted HEAL president 2012-2014 at the Annual General Assembly in Brussels on Thursday, 14 September 2012. Yannick Vicaire, Reseau Environnement-Sante, France became Vice-President and Dave Stone of Natural England continues as Treasurer. Members of the new HEAL Executive Committee also include former president, Marie-Christine Dewolf, Hygiène Publique en Hainaut, Belgium; Monika Kosinka, European Public Health Alliance (EPHA); and two new members - Irina Rodriguez de la Flor, Fundacion Vivo Sano, Spain and Roberta Savli, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations. HEAL president Peter van den Hazel, who chairs the board of the International Network for Children’s Health, Environment and Safety (INCHES), has been a member of HEAL Executive Committee for the past nine years. Reacting to the announcement of his new position, he said: “I am delighted to accept this position. HEAL is an important and constant factor in the health and environment domain in Europe. As a public health physician and researcher, I hope to help strengthen HEAL’s important work in making visible the bridge between the latest science and emerging threats of environmental hazards in the policy making process.” Executive Director, Genon Jensen warmly thanked HEAL’s former president, Marie-Christine Dewolf for the commitment, energy and hard work that she has given HEAL since its creation in 2003. |
| 05/09/2012 | September 2012: Time to take action Spread the WHO advice and action plans on European severe heat-wave With parts of the European Region are experiencing extreme heat-waves this summer and this threatens the health of many people, particularly the elderly and patients with chronic disease, the WHO has now published advice to prevent health effects and ultraviolet exposure. Get the advice and share it now! Give your input on triclosan in cosmetic products The European Commission has launched a public consultation on triclosan in cosmetic products. Act now to ban triclosan from cosmetic products for consumers and to limit its use only to medical uses if there is a need. The deadline for input is 19 October 2012. For more info and to submit your opintion visit: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/files/pdf/triclosan_en.pdf 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! Public consultation: Update of the European Union’s Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) The European Commission is drawing up a plan for the implementation of the Union’s obligations under the Stockholm Convention. Contributions should be made by 25 October. Learn more and contribute to the consultation here – act now! Call for experts on the safety of the use of dental amalgam and its substitutes The European Commission's independent Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) is looking for experts for its working group on the environmental risks and indirect health effects of mercury in dental amalgam. HEAL recently published an article on the widening call for phasing out of dental amalgam too. The deadline is 10 October 2012. Learn more and submit opinions here – act now! Call for experts in EMF The European Commission has recently requested its independent Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) to update its opinion of 2009 on the potential health impacts caused by electromagnetic fields (EMF). Thus, the SCENIHR is looking for experts for its working group on "Potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF)". Experts in various scientific fields related to EMF are encouraged to apply until 24 September 2012. Learn more about the mandate and apply here – act now! EEA seeks five new members of its Scientific Committee The European Environment Agency (EEA) is looking for scientists interested in becoming members of its Scientific Committee. The Scientific Committee supports the EEA by providing independent opinions on the Agency's work programmes, recruitment of scientific staff, and scientific questions from the Management Board or Executive Director. Expressions of interest must be submitted online by 12.00 CET on 12 September 2012. Learn more about eligibility and apply here – act now! |
| 05/09/2012 | 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. The Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Islamabad Pakistan is proposing a Motion to the IUCN World Congress 2012 (in month) that the global mercury treaty currently being negotiated be legally binding, and contain a number of specific features to protect health (for details, see the SPDI website). HEAL supports this Motion, as do many of our member organisations in their own right. This motion is available in English, French and Spanish from SPDI here. There is also an interview with Dr. Mahmood A.Khwaja, Senior Chemicals Advisor of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute about the issues related to mercury use, the solutions available and the negotiations for global mercury treaty from SPDI here. HEAL has been calling decision makers to pursue a strong global mercury treaty for a long time. At the beginning of this year HEAL already sent a letter urging EU Environment ministers to phase out dental amalgam. This new motion strengthens HEALs call to reduce, phase out and eliminate the use of mercury. |
| 05/09/2012 | EU debates measures for climate change adaptation The European Commissioner for Climate, Connie Hedegaard, is in the process of developing the EU Adaptation Strategy to climate change, which will probably be launched in early 2013 and which builds on the 2009 White Paper Adapting to climate change. The HEAL secretariat participated in the public consultation to the strategy and provided support to member organizations to file their own submissions. According to the documents made available during the consultation process, the EU Adaptation Strategy may propose a range of required actions for different sectors and at different level (EU, Member States, local), while respecting the subsidiarity principle. The overall aim of EU action on adaptation is to enhance the preparedness and the ability of Member States to respond to impacts deriving from climate change, for example threats to human health. The European Community will especially help to coordinate activities of Member States and ensure effective communication in this field. Health issues will probably be one of the focal areas of the EU Adaptation Strategy, as health had already been covered by an individual staff working document complementing the 2009 White Paper. In some Member States a national adaptation strategy already exists, for example in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Hungary and Denmark; while other countries are in the stage of preparation. A European platform, CLIMATE-ADAPT, aims to pool the available information on European and Member States’ activities in the field of climate adaptation and allow for experience exchange related to sectors and climatic conditions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has worked to create country profiles on climate change and health which have adaptation as a specific focus. Such profiles exist for Croatia, Finland, Germany, Hungary and Sweden. The EU online platform CLIMATE-ADAPT can be found via: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/web/guest/home |
| 05/09/2012 | Australian co-benefits report prominently mentions HEAL & HCWH Acting NOW! Report HEAL’s 2010 report Acting NOW! for a better climate on the health co-benefits from climate change mitigation, which had been jointly published with Health Care Without Harm Europe, has inspired Australian public health organizations to take on the issue and publish a report calculating the health gains for the Australian continent. The new piece is trenchantly entitled Our Uncashed Dividend and was released at Canberra Hospital on 14 August by Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA), an NGO, and a partner organization of HEAL in the field of international climate policy. Present at the launch were leading medical experts from Canberra and Australian National Universities, as well as The Climate Institute (TCI), co-author of the report. National media widely reacted to the launch of Our Uncashed Dividend. The large and growing body of evidence from health and medical research drawn together for the study shows substantial health benefits linked to measures to cut emissions. It demonstrates that a shift from burning fossil fuels in coal fired power plants as well as for road transport in Australia would improve public health and save at least AUD 6 billion (approx. EUR 5 billion) and thousands of lives each year. The report by the Climate and Health Alliance and The Climate Institute got support from the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA). Its release is an important signal in times of slowly progressing international climate negotiations that immediate action and ambitious climate targets will also reap important economic and social benefits in the short term. Australia so far has only committed to a 5% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions below the level from 2000 by 2020 and a 20% renewable energy target by the same date. The report Our Uncashed Dividend, which encompasses detailed figures from the Acting NOW for better health report, is available at: http://caha.org.au/resources/reports |
| 05/09/2012 | New scientific study reveals adverse effects of mixtures of pesticides Each one of us, regardless of age, is exposed daily to dozens of synthetic chemicals. The toxicity and health effects from these mixtures are largely unknown. Générations Futures and Antidote Europe, an independent research organization, joined forces to address this urgent problem and initiated a scientific study looking at harmful effects of mixtures of some commonly used pesticides. The aim of the study was to evaluate health risks of chemical mixtures versus single pesticides. Professor Michael Coleman, who led the study on cell impacts stressed that the work showed that some pesticides, alone or in combination, can induce stress and significantly affect human cells. They can also interfere with basic cellular processes such as energy production. These effects were demonstrated at concentrations similar to those found in our food. This work suggests that we should make greater efforts to restrict pesticide use in crops intended for food. The results build upon a study about pesticides and chemicals contamination of children’s daily food, which HEAL and GF launched in 2010. Under the Toxics Menu investigation, 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. The results showed the chemical cocktail that children were exposed to from food alone. Findings showed 128 trace elements representing 81 different chemical substances. These substances included 36 different pesticides and 47 suspected carcinogens. The results of this scientific study were recently published under the title: A preliminary investigation into the impact of a pesticide combination on human neuronal and glial cell lines in vitro, MD Coleman et al. See www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0042768 |
| 05/09/2012 | Better policy uptake of scientific results One hundred 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. The conference discussed 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. ERA-ENVHEALTH brings together 16 funders in the environmental health arena from 10 countries and various stakeholders to help increase the relevance and efficiency of E&H research in Europe. The project is coordinated by ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety. HEAL is a member of the ERA-ENVHEALTH board and has provided input for better science-to-policy communication. At the final conference, HEAL’s Executive Director Genon Jensen gave a keynote presentation on the role of not-for-profit organisations in linking science to policy. She presented to participants the many examples of HEAL’s and the health community’s activities on translating science for policy, which include scientific briefings, organising specific events and developing various communication materials. Genon was also part of the final conference panel. One outcome of the project is a checklist for researchers to improve the knowledge transfer. The checklist suggests recommendations and ideas for a better transfer of scientific knowledge into policy. The checklist aims to support researchers who wish to ensure the consideration of their work and enhance the uptake of their findings into policy. |
| 05/09/2012 | 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 the country will have to make greater efforts at better implementation of the EU environmental laws and inclusion of civil society. These are conclusions from a recent conference on environment &health in Zagreb, in which HEAL participated as a partner in a Croatian capacity building project. The Croatian organisation Zelena akcija, a member of Friends of the Earth Europe, has been following closely key issues for environmental health protection for the last two years, as Croatia’s EU membership was brought on the way. The country is scheduled to join the EU in July 2013. Zelena akcija organised a series of roundtables to discuss what EU membership means for water protection in Crotia, for pesticides policy, chemical safety, noise protection, genetically modified organisms and for air quality, and issued a series of publications to inform Croatian citizens. HEAL has contributed to this awareness raising and capacity builiding by participating in discussions and providing updates on EU policy developments on the issues mentioned. A conference organised in June brought together around 50 participants from Croatian civil society, the EU representation in Croatia, as well as representatives from the environment ministry and health agency, to discuss the state of implementation of EU environmental laws and NGO demands. At the end of the conference, participants issued a catalogue of demands to improve health protection which includes better monitoring of environmental pollution, better financing of protection measures and greater encouragement for scientists to work on pollution and health topics. Participants criticized that in some cases the Croatian government had used EU membership as a pretext to lower protection standards, for example in the area of noise, where monitoring of noise levels in smaller communities had been abolished. HEAL’s Deputy Director Anne Stauffer spoke to conference participants about EU policies to prevent ill-health and disease, and focused in particular on the upcoming opportunities for Croatian groups to become involved, such as the 7th EU Environmental Action Programme and the EU Year of Air 2013. Of particular concern for the Croatian environmental and health community is the plan to build a new coal-fired power plant in the region of Istria. HEAL’s Climate and Air Quality Officer Julia Huscher informed the conference on the scientific evidence on health impacts of coal, which they can use in the further citizens’ activities against the new plant. |
| 05/09/2012 | Listen to your doctor: setting strict vehicle noise standards for better health Recent studies stress the costs to society and our economy from road noise. 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 risks 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. The British Medical Alliance is an association who has represented doctors and has promoted good healthcare for all for over 175 years. BMA’s recent report “Healthy Transport, healthy lives” looks at the costs to the UK of increased vehicle numbers and traffic volume and the benefits of promoting active travel (walking and cycling) and other sustainable transport measures. Noise is one of the three factors that BMA lists as having a negative impact on health, together with increase in road traffic injuries, and greater exposure to air pollution. The doctors confirm that transport-related noise pollution (predominantly from roads, railways and airports) can adversely affect the cardiovascular system, mental health status, and the school performance in children. The report states that transport is the leading cause of noise pollution, and that measures to tackle noise at source have the greatest potential to reduce exposure. These findings from the UK tie into results of a recent study from Denmark on the link between exposure to long-term residential road traffic noise and heart attacks: the researchers found that for every 10 dB higher exposure to noise the risk of a heart attack increases by 12%. The study is of huge significance because it brings together results on health effects from noise of over 50,000 participants living in Danish urban areas (Copenhagen and Arhus). The authors adjusted their findings with known risk factors for myocardial infarction such as blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes or air pollution, and are so able to establish a clear dose-response relationship between residential exposure to road traffic noise and increased heart attack risk. They also found indications that road traffic noise had a high effect on myocardial infarction in people who never smoked. Why noise is also a social issue Researchers and the medical community are increasingly concerned on people with low socio-economic status are at greater risk of health impacts of noise pollution, as they are more likely to live near busy roads. Both the BMA report as well as a comprehensive analysis on environmental health inequalities carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) point to this too often overlooked connection. The Danish study confirms that participants living at residences with a road noise level of over 60 decibel (dB) had a lower education, smoked more, ate less fruit and vegetables, were less physically active and diabetes rates were higher. Less vehicle noise means better health As Members of the European Parliament will vote on new EU vehicle noise standards, the first update in 20 years, HEAL together with many organizations from the health and medical community urges MEPs to listen to the health experts and doctors and support more ambitious standards with a faster timeline as those proposed by the European Commission. Back in March, MEPs had already heard this call for stricter vehicle noise standards from a group of 16 leading scientists on health effects of noise and vehicle technologies. |
| 31/08/2012 | Policy Workshop: EU Year of Air – how can we reduce air pollution to improve health? HEAL is pleased to invite you to the policy workshop: “EU Year of Air – how can we reduce air pollution to improve health?” on 13 September 2012. The workshop will bring together political decision-makers, environmental groups, researchers and the health and medical community for an exchange on the latest evidence 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. HEAL is pleased to invite you to the policy workshop: “EU Year of Air – how can we reduce air pollution to improve health?” on 13 September 2012. 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. It is of concern not only to political decision-makers and environmental groups, but also to researchers and the health and medical community. The workshop will bring together all these groups for an exchange on the latest evidence 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. During the workshop, we will also address the air quality situation in Brussels and just outside HEAL’s offices with an air quality measuring. Keynote speakers include Bert Brunekreef, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS); John van Aardenne, European Environment Agency (EEA); Scott Brockett, DG Environment, European Commission; Arne Fellermann, BUND Germany, Simon Birkett, Clean Air in London and Roberta Savli, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA). The workshop is organised by HEAL in close collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA). Registration is closed Below, you can find the invitation and a detailed programme of the event. |
| 30/08/2012 | Policy Workshop on Chronic Diseases and Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) HEAL is pleased to invite you to the policy workshop on chronic diseases and endocrine disruptors (EDCs) on 14 September. The policy workshop aims to highlight the growing body of 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. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is pleased to invite you to the policy workshop on chronic diseases and endocrine disruptors (EDCs) on 14 September. The policy workshop aims to highlight the growing body of 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. This evidence will be related to upcoming policy developments e.g. the revision of the EU’s 1999 strategy on Endocrine Disruptors and to the European Parliament “own initiative” report on EDCs which will be debated in autumn 2012. Participants will also learn how to use a unique, powerful web based tool on assessing research on endocrine disrupting chemicals’ links to diseases from one of the leading groups compiling and disseminating scientific research on EDCs. Speakers will include Loukas Georgiou, Health Attaché, Cyprus Permanent Representation, Cyprus EU Presidency; Robert Barouki, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research INSERM, Paris Descartes University and co-chair PPTOX conference organizing committee Science on prenatal exposure and EDCs; Carol Kwiatkowski, Executive Director of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX); Peter Korytar, European Commission, DG Environment and more speakers and panellists. Case Studies from health insurers and cancer groups from France, Belgium, Spain and the UK will cover the work and views of some HEAL member organizations and other groups on endocrine disruptors and chronic diseases. Registration is closed Below you can find the invitation and a detailed programme of the event. |
| 16/07/2012 | 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. |
| 09/07/2012 | July 2012: The time is now to 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! |
| 09/07/2012 | EU Commission off their game The Commission midterm assessment entitled ‘Off Their Game’, draws on the Olympics as a theme and assesses the progress in nine EU policy fields with impacts on health and the environment. It also reviews the track record of 13 European Commissioners, as well as the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso since 2010. Each policy field was given a mark out of ten based on two main factors: environmental ambition and the extent of environmental issues that the Commission has addressed. The Green10 come to the conclusion that faced with the breakdown of an economic system operating beyond planetary limits, the Commission has so far lacked the courage to propose legislation for a new, sustainable economy and has continued to favour short-term fixes over long-term solutions for people’s health and the planet. Of course, the European Commission is not alone in defining Europe’s environmental policy. EU member states and the European Parliament eventually make the final decisions, and it is fair to say that over the past two-and-a-half years the member states have often blocked progress and defended destructive policies. Some key issues put forth in the assessment include: Most existing production and consumption patterns in Europe are negatively affecting our health and polluting the environment, in many cases irreversibly. Current Commission Policies are not sufficient to halt the steady contamination of our soils, water and food, and ultimately our bodies. Using fewer toxic chemicals goes hand in hand with healthy economic development and future-proof jobs. Overall, the assessment shows how the Commission needs to take Europe off the track of environmental and economic degradation and put it back on course for a healthier, more prosperous and safer future. On 3 July the Green 10 held a press conference at the Brussels Press Club, and Genon Jensen, HEAL’s Executive Director, presented her assessment of how the Commission fared on tackling pollution. She highlighted that for the EU chemical’s policy there are no medals in sight, and issued an urgent call to the Commission overall and Health Commissioner John Dalli in particular, to seize opportunities to deliver major health benefits by preventing environment-related chronic disease. Download the related documents here: Green 10’s mid-term assessment of the European Commission 2010-2012 Environmental Track Record (Off Their Game) Green 10’s joint press release on the report Photos from the press conference |
| 09/07/2012 | 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. In the final conference document ‘The Future We Want’ the health frame has become more prominent and central to sustainable development discussions. Global leaders recognize the fundamental need to act on the social and environmental determinants of health to create inclusive, equitable, economically productive and healthy societies. The environmental prevention of disease is also featured in a specific paragraph. Additional information: The assessment of the World Health Organization The analysis of the International POPs Elimination Network IPEN HEAL's article: Rio+20: Reinforcing the link between environment & health Rio+20 outcome document ‘The Future We Want’ |
| 09/07/2012 | 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. HEAL recently hosted a webinar to facilitate exchange between civil society and health experts. Air pollution continues to be a massive public health problem in Europe, and coal power generation contributes further to polluted air, blowing millions of tons of main air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and particulate matter into the atmosphere. Higher rates of chronic respiratory and cardiovascular disease are the main consequences. In addition, nervous system damage or kidney disease can be caused by mercury and other heavy metals released. The long-term health effects also include impacts from climate change, which is fuelled by the huge CO2 emissions from coal power plants. For example, heat-induced stress and mortality will be triggered by more frequent as well as more intense heat waves in Europe. HEAL presented this evidence to an audience of more than 60 interested members of the public and has established contacts with scientists as well as environmental organizations who work on the impacts from coal power. Important studies on the health risks have been published recently by the American Lung Foundation and the Physicians for Social Responsibility, whereas a report by the European Environment Agency last year gave an overall estimate of the environmental and health damage caused by energy facilities in Europe (estimated at € 66 – 112 billion per year). HEAL will continue to provide scientific evidence for the health risks from coal power generation to bring out this evidence more clearly in the debates on Europe’s future energy mix . If you are interested to learn more about health impacts of coal please contact Julia Huscher, HEAL’s Climate and Air Quality Policy Officer. |
| 09/07/2012 | Public Health Financing on EU agenda 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. The European Parliament and EU Health ministers are currently preparing the adoption of the EU financing of public health activities 2014-2020. The proposal has a financial volume of 446 million EUR and is centered on 4 specific objectives: Innovative and sustainable health systems Increased access to better and safer healthcare for EU citizens Prevent disease and promote good health Protect citizens from cross-border health threats HEAL’s reaction to the vote in the leading EP ENVI committee is mixed. We welcome that MEPs have set the course for better consideration of environmental factors for (chronic) disease prevention. Environment is now included in the list of cost-effective prevention measures for chronic diseases, as a key risk factor, so on equal terms with lifestyle factors such as smoking, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet etc. This inclusion will make it easier that activities addressing environmental pollution, for example health impact assessment of air pollution or noise, and measures to bring down exposure to harmful pollutants etc are eligible for financing under the new programme. Internal and external air pollution is also mentioned as a key health issue to be considered under prevention activities. However, we are deeply concerned that MEPs do not see the need to outline climate change related in the new programme. As the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted repeatedly, climate change is the greatest challenge for public health in the 21st century. Health plays a central role in both climate change adaptation, but also mitigation measures. Yet the EU Commission’s proposal has only included general reference that climate change can be financed under this programme, but not established a dedicated activity for it. HEAL is convinced that adaptation to climate change needs to be a specific activity line in the new programme, just as Active and Healthy Ageing, rare diseases and tackling antibiotic resistance are. Including in the list of specific activities would increase targeted (financial) support for the EU adaptation strategy, which is one of the EU policy priorities of the next months. Policy coherence is especially important for climate change mitigation policies, as these can produce immediate co-benefits for public health, but also eventually increase the strain on health (e.g. in case of increased burning of biomass). HEAL hopes that EU Health Ministers – who are next to adopt the position – will give support to promote environmental prevention opportunities and financing for climate and health activities. Cyprus, which currently holds the EU Presidency, announced that they aim to find an agreement until December 2012. For further information please see also the position of our members European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Association (EFA). |
| 09/07/2012 | 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 time-bound goals. Ministry representatives and stakeholders met recently to discuss progress on the implementation regarding the definition of indicators to measure progress. HEAL is a member of the European Environment and Health Task Force (EHTF), the leading international body for implementation and monitoring of the Parma commitments as part of the European Environment & Health Process. EHTF members meet annually in the period up to the next Ministerial Conference on Environment & Health 2016, but recently held a special meeting to discuss progress on indicators. Five time bound commitments to protect children were adopted in Parma: To provide each child by 2020 with safe water and sanitation in homes, child care centres, kindergartens, schools, health care institutions and public recreational water settings To provide each child by 2020 with healthy and safe environments and settings of daily life to walk&cycle and undertake physical activity To establish by 2015 indoor environments free of tobacco smoke in child care facilities, kindergartens, schools and public recreational settings To have by 2015 environments free of toxic chemicals To reduce by 2015 identified health risks from carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxicants, including radon, ultraviolet radiation, asbestos and endocrine disruptors. WHO European member states are in the process of agreeing on the indicators to measure progress on the time-bound goals in a time of strained resources. HEAL welcomes the efforts made by Member States to reach the goals listed above, but we remain concerned that measures are taken for all of the five goals listed above, including on the chemicals goals. Scientists have recently warned about the consequences that pre-natal exposure to hazardous chemicals, especially endocrine disruptors, can have for an increased risk of disease later in life. It is therefore important that health and environmental ministries of the 53 countries invest resources into setting up comprehensive indicators and conduct monitoring of chemical exposure to give guidance on phasing out and substitution of harmful chemicals. |
| 09/07/2012 | 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. The focus of the Cypriotic activities in the environmental field will be on sustainable water management and climate change adaptation, in view of the EU Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources and the preparation for an EU Adaptation Strategy. The EU Health ministers will pay particular attention to health security from cross-border health threats, consider the proposal on EU Health for Growth and continue with their work on chronic diseases. A special conference on child poverty and children well-being is also planned. HEAL thinks this conference should be used to showcase evidence on how environmental pollution affects children’s health and well-being, how poverty reinforces effects on children’s health from air pollution or chemical exposure, and which policy measures can be taken to better protect children. As the next months will also see the negotiations on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, discussions on the reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy and Fisheries it will certainly be a very packed agenda. Information on the Presidency programme and all events can be found at the Cypriotic Presidency website. |
| 09/07/2012 | 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. The conference discussed the identification of endocrine disruptors, where the knowledge and data gaps are, and whether endocrine-disrupting chemicals pose a significant risk to health and the environment, and whether they need measures different from those used to deal with other chemical hazards. To the question whether a tipping point had been reached in the science, and in the political concern to take significant policy action, the sense of the conference participants was indeed yes, and there were calls for moving forward using what we already have. The impetus now moves to the development of criteria to identify and assess endocrine disruptors, for which the Commission must make proposals and get adoption by Dec 2013. The area where some differences of opinion on the science remain concern the low dose effects, so the upcoming international workshop in Berlin in September ,‘Low Dose Effects and Non-Monotonic Dose Responses for Endocrine Active Chemicals: Science to Practice’ will be important. Around 300 people attended the EU conference, including representatives of international organisations (OECD, UN bodies), policy makers and scientific/risk assessment experts of EU and non-EU countries, stakeholder representatives (NGOs and Industry) and academics. Genon Jensen and Lisette van Vliet from the HEAL Secretariat attended, as did several HEAL member and partner organisations. Further information can be found in the Programme & Presentations. HEAL believes that the EU Strategy on EDCs must be revised so that its main focus is on facilitating precautionary action to systematically identify, reduce and ultimately eliminate people’s exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals and that this is done across all sectoral areas and uses. All relevant legislation need to be adjusted to require up to date tests methods and no discrimination against peer-reviewed academic science. Furthermore, the EU should show leadership in the international arena, particularly in SAICM (Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management). |
| 20/06/2012 | 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. 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 current list of signatories can be viewed by clicking the ‘Readers comments’ link under the ‘Associated material’ heading to the right hand side of the abstract or at www.ehjournal.net/content/11/1/42/comments. The paper is now open for further signatures from scientists, who can sign by sending their name, affiliation, and country to pptox3@gmail.com. Read the NGO information release: Common diseases linked to chemical exposures before birth for more information http://www.env-health.org/spip.php?article1506 |
| 20/06/2012 | 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 key 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 … The conference was part of the 7th annual Pesticides Action Week. The event brought together for the first time victims of pesticide exposure, professionals and individuals to speak about health risks and necessary political action. The two-day international conference took place at the Palais du Luxembourg and focused on health implication and alternatives to pesticides. Almost all presentations, interviews and workshops at the two-day conference are available on the website. Most of the videos are in French. Below you will discover all videos on: The presentations on: Impact of pesticides on the development of a child during pregnancy, risks of pesticide exposure on non-users and professionals, the chemical cocktail effect (including a presentation of HEAL’s senior toxicology policy officer Lisette van Vliet (French) and how to improve the current situation. http://www.congrespesticides.org/conferences The workshops on health and legal matters for professionals and individuals http://www.congrespesticides.org/ateliers Studio interviews http://www.congrespesticides.org/interviews |
| 20/06/2012 | CHE: “Healthy Environments Across Generations” – the first ‘unconference’ for promoting health across the lifespan On 7‐8 June the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) organised an event called “Healthy Environments Across Generations” at the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) to explore environmental influences on health across the lifespan with other cutting‐edge leaders from a myriad of disciplines. The gathering featured a number of conversational forums about the built, food, chemicals, natural, psychosocial, and socioeconomic environments, and how they interact and impact health. “[We called] it an ‘unconference’ because nothing like this has ever been held at NYAM—or anywhere else really,” said Peter Whitehouse, MD, PhD, a leading geriatric neurologist and co‐founder of The Intergenerational School, who serves on the planning committee. “We want to energise a movement of ‘Intergenerativity’ – meaning the integration of science, creativity and wisdom. Now is the time to spawn collaborative, innovative and intergenerational actions that can address all these different environments and ultimately improve human and planetary health.” For more information, see: www.healthandenvironment.org/news/conference/intergen2012 |
| 20/06/2012 | WHO conference on climate change and health: Lessons learnt in the European Region From 4-6 June 2012 HEAL participated in a workshop reflecting progress made and lessons learned in protecting health against climate change in the WHO European Region, with regard to the Commitment to Act endorsed at the Parma Fifth Ministerial Conference in 2010. Representatives of the 53 countries met to discuss adaptation plans, the contribution of the health sector to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, best practices in raising awareness for climate change as well as progress and existing gaps of research in these fields. High level speakers from the UN and EU agencies as well as researchers reported on new findings and challenges on climate change and health in line with the Parma declaration. WHO has taken the lead on important climate policy developments in the European Region, including the fostering a Regional Framework for Action, which countries are now discussing how to turn into action. The first meeting of the Working Group on Climate Change and Health (HIC), of which HEAL is a member, was held to discuss how to support countries and exchange best practice in implementing the framework. HEAL gave a presentation on success stories of raising the awareness for health issues in climate change mitigation and led a group discussion on the lessons learned and the need for support to awareness raising activities by the WHO regional office. A report on this group session will be submitted to the WHO Regional Office. HEAL also participated in the meetings of the Working Group on Climate Change and Health (HIC) which convened during the days of the workshop. During the workshop a progress report was given on the joint WHO European Region and German Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). This pilot project in seven central European and central Asian countries on climate change adaptation presented the progress made in the project countries (Albania, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan). Projects in these countries ranged from heat wave early warning schemes, water and food security improvements, infectious disease monitoring and renewable energy as well as energy efficiency as a means to improve energy security in hospitals. Furthermore, the European Commission presented its new information sharing platform Climate-ADAPT through which case studies can be accessed, where the legal framework of individual countries is summarised and where tools such as a guide to dealing with uncertainties are made publicly available for climate change adaptation practitioners. |
| 20/06/2012 | 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. Cancer rates in Europe continue to rise at huge cost to our individual and family lives, our productivity and our health services, and society overall. The role that environmental factors play in cancer causation is increasingly recognised. Consequently, reducing exposure to hazardous substances is gaining prominence as a key approach to cancer prevention. A recent report, entitled ‘A critical view on the policies regarding cancer-related chemicals in our living environment’, by the Flemish Cancer League (Vlaamse Liga tegen Kanker – VLK) recognises the importance of the role played by chemicals policy in preventing cancer incidence. It analyses in depth laws on industrial chemicals, pesticides (agricultural use) and biocides (non-agricultural pesticides), and their implementation on European, Belgian and Flemish chemicals policies and cancer prevention. The EU Commission, Parliament and Member States are currently debating the next steps and measures to tackle chronic diseases including cancer, and the financing for public health measures from 2014 onwards (the ‘Health for Growth’ proposal). We believe this report adds to the growing number of voices which argue for a better inclusion of environmental prevention measures to reduce chronic diseases. We hope that it will inspire other European cancer organisations to also take a closer look at their countries’ performance with respect to these crucial European laws and that Member States use the valuable recommendations to improve their future cancer prevention work. Download: The Health for Growth executive summary The Health for Growth press release |
| 20/06/2012 | 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. Rio+20 offers international, national and regional governments, NGOs and other stakeholders an important opportunity to re-examine and re-establish the relationship between environment & health and sustainable development. The Global Environment Outlook (GEO-5) which was published just prior to the conference underlines that the world continues to speed down an unsustainable path despite over 500 internationally agreed goals and objectives to support the sustainable management of the environment. The report cautioned that if humanity does not urgently change its ways, several critical thresholds may be exceeded, beyond which abrupt and generally irreversible changes to life-support functions of the planet could occur. A short YouTube video outlines the issues here. The World Health Organization has been instrumental in bringing health to the heart of sustainable development. They have issued a series of briefings on Rio+20 issues including measuring health gains from sustainable development. They are organising a series of events in the next days. Rio+20 will also see the launch of a global statement for a toxics free future, initiated by the International POPs Elimination Network, to which HEAL is a signatory. See article here. More information on Health, Rio+20 and sustainable development: Health in Rio+20: Other Health-related Side Events Measuring health gains from sustainable development 2012 Global Toxics-Free Future Forum Gender equality plays an important role in creating a healthy environment and sustainable development for all. Below you will find some images of HEAL member WECF (Women in Europe for a Common Future ) actively working on behalf of Women’s groups to achieve those goals at Rio+20. |
| 20/06/2012 | 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. There is an urgent need to elevate global concerns about the rising tide of toxics in our lives, and the harm being caused. A WHO media release states diseases such as cancer, heart disease, reproductive and developmental disorders, asthma, autism, diabetes, degenerative diseases and mental health illnesses have been linked to the pollution of air, water, soil and food, as well as toxic consumer products and wastes. A majority of the pesticides and industrial chemicals are still not been adequately tested for their impact on human health and the environment, particularly in the area of emerging concerns that challenge the central dogma of toxicology such as endocrine disruption, ongoing low dose exposures, and the impacts of chemicals mixtures. HEAL recently expressed deep concern at a European Commission Communication on people’s exposure to mixtures of chemicals, the so-called “cocktail effect”, especially as it relates to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Peoples’ right to a healthy planet and a sustainable future are being affected by exposure to toxic chemicals which may cause cancer, birth defects, impaired development, negative impacts on the immune system, neurotoxicity and metabolic impairment. In addition the statement stresses that persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals remain in the human body long after exposure and can be passed from mother to baby, in utero and via breast milk, and can cross the blood brain barrier to affect a child’s central nervous system and its development. Sign on to this global effort for a toxics-free future: http://ipen.org/toxics-free-2012/sign-on/ |
| 20/06/2012 | Child Safety Report Cards: How much progress? HEAL Member European Child Safety Alliance has just launched their assessment on what countries are doing to make it safe for children – which is a goal of all WHO European countries (Regional Priority Goal 2, Children’s Health and Environment Action Plan for Europe). The 2012 edition of the Child Safety Report Cards benchmark progress in 29 countries. They were launched at the European Parliament with the support of MEP Malcolm Harbour, Chair of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee and European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli. Information on the assessment was featured in the leading medical journal, the Lancet. HEAL has provided support to the project especially in the area of harmful chemicals used as flame retardant. The 2012 Report Cards and Profiles describe: how well a country is doing to make it safe for children the gaps in action on unintentional injury that need to be addressed which good practices should be adopted to prevent injuries and to save more children's lives. For further information and to see how your country fares on preventing children’s injuries see: www.childsafetyeurope.org |
| 20/06/2012 | 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. The joint declaration is supported by cities, noise experts, politicians and civil society organisations calling on the EU to increase the ambition level of European noise limits for new vehicles through the following actions: Accelerating the introduction of a two-step revision in standards (2013 and 2015); Setting out a pathway for further noise reductions, by introducing a further step to enter into force in 2020 that achieves a significant further reduction in noise from vehicles; Ensuring that testing is representative of real world noise emissions; Requiring information on vehicle noise to be publicly available; and Introducing stricter limits for highly intrusive peak levels of noise. The joint declaration is open for individual and organization signatures here Members of the European Parliament’s Transport, Consumer and Environment & Public Health Committees will decide on their position on the Commission proposal on vehicle noise standards in the next weeks. As nearly one in four cars and one in four light trucks already meet the standards proposed by the European Commission, HEAL hopes that MEPs will use the opportunity to further bring down noise levels, not weaken the Commission’s proposal. In May, noise experts had already written to the European Parliament voicing their concerns about health impacts of noise and urging MEPs to improve the draft vehicle noise law. |
| 10/05/2012 | 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. HEAL has been monitoring the EU process closely. We’ve raised our concerns both with the European Parliament as well as in a joint letter to EU environment ministers. In their resolution, members of the European Parliament have underlined that poor environmental conditions have a substantial impact on health, involving high costs. They take the view that the 7th EAP should address outdoor and indoor air pollution, noise and its impact on health, and provide for specific measures on emerging threats, such as nanomaterials, endocrine disruptors and chemical mixtures. MEPs also stress the need to include action to protect children’s health from environmental pollution and to tie the 7th EAP in with the 2nd EU Action Plan on Environment and Health. EU Environment ministers also discussed the 7th EAP at their informal meeting in Horsens, Denmark. But the real work for ministers starts now with the drafting of Council conclusions to be adopted at the next Environment Council on 11 June. 10/05/2012 |
| 10/05/2012 | 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. According to the World Health Organization, traffic noise in Europe is the second biggest environmental threat to health after air pollution. Other assessments have revealed that fifty thousand deaths and a quarter of a million cases of cardiovascular disease every year in Europe are linked to traffic noise. The European Commission has proposed a new regulation which would update noise standards for road vehicles for the first time in 20 years. HEAL urges the European Parliament and the Council to adopt more ambitious regulations to improve standards even more. In a joint position paper, HEAL, Transport&Environment and European Environmental Bureau argue that the revised legislation needs to be adopted faster and to go further in lowering traffic noise levels. An extra two-decibel reduction for cars, vans, lorries and buses would reduce the number of people who are currently highly impacted by noise by 40% and the number of sleep-disturbed people by almost a third. A report by Dutch consultancy TNO for T&E, published earlier this month, showed the benefits of ambitious vehicle noise legislation would outweigh the costs by thirty times. An event in the European Parliament on 6 June will bring together European Parliamentarians, experts and health affected groups to discuss this unique opportunity for public health protection. More information: World Health Organization (WHO): Burden of disease from environmental noise. Quantification of healthy life years lost in Europe Joint Position Paper on new EU vehicles noise limits Reduction of vehicle noise emissions - Technological potential and impacts, report by TNO 10/05/2012 |
| 10/05/2012 | Science and policy: Bridging the gap Both the 3rd PPTOX and the ERA-ENVHEALTH final conference will focus on integrating applied science and increasing the relevance and efficiency of environment and health research in Europe. They both aim to convey the scientific evidence more efficiently to policy makers. The PPTOX conference from 14-16 May focuses on how environmental exposures and nutrients during development contribute to or affect development of diseases/dysfunctions later in life. It is a unique opportunity to hear from leading scientists on new epidemiological and toxicological evidence on the contribution of developmental exposure to adult disease and how this evidence should be taken up in policy making. The goal of the conference is to examine the animal and human data supporting this hypothesis (developmental basis of disease). In the ERA-ENVHEALTH network, 16 funders from 10 countries and representatives of various stakeholders have joined forces and resources to help increase the relevance and efficiency of E&H research in Europe. The final conference of the network on 13+14 June will be the opportunity to develop a shared vision for environment and health research in Europe in high-level discussions. HEAL’s Executive Director, Genon Jensen, will be one of the guest speakers. She will demonstrate the contribution that not-for-profit public interest groups can make to bridging the science-policy gap. Click on the link for further information on the PPTOX III conference and on the ERA-ENVHEALTH final conference. 10/05/2012 |
| 10/05/2012 | Danish presidency event on health and climate The meeting brought together environmental and medical scientists from all over Europe. The panels addressed the important health impacts of climatic and environmental changes and prevention of related diseases. Jo Leinen, Member of the European Parliament and former head of the environment committee, in his speech greeted that the draft 7th Environment Action Programme includes a strong chapter on environment and health which is supported by many Member States. Specific actions to prevent impacts from climate change are needed to safeguard public health in Europe, said Danish Health Secretary of State Per Okkels. Effects of heat waves and extreme weather have to be limited, and preventive measures should target the spread of infectious diseases but also non-communicable diseases, such as cancers. Later sessions of the conference focused on skin cancer prevention through improvements in monitoring and compulsory registries for skin cancer incidents across Europe. In the afternoon, Crown Princess Mary together with Danish ministers opened the conjoint exhibition at the opera in which various groups demonstrated preventive actions that the individual can undertake. A group of researchers from the Copenhagen University illustrated health impacts from particulate matter emissions originating from traffic. Other exhibitors provided a self-test for UV sensitivity and skin damage from past exposure. HEAL staff participated in discussions throughout the conference and talked to the Danish health minister as well as the Secretary of State. With a roll-up poster reading ‘What is good for climate is good for health and the economy’ HEAL conveyed the message that climate action is an indispensable part of prevention. Many specimens of our co-benefits report were taken by conference participants. Other actors seem to have adopted the same analysis as HEAL on the benefits for health of strong climate policy. At the conference the European Policy Centre, a Brussels think tank and one of the conveners of the conference, published a commentary highlighting the health benefits of green growth. The commentary entitled “Ignorance ain’t bliss: it’s time to recognize the impact of the environment and climate on health” can be downloaded here. An article by EPC on their report published in Public Service Review mentions HEAL’s report findings (see Media coverage). Photos: © Andreas Bergmann Steen / LEO Pharma Caption: Danish health minister Astrid Krag gave examples why tackling climate change will benefit our health 10/05/2012 |
| 13/04/2012 | 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. Author of more than 160 scientific papers, in 2005, along with her colleagues, Professor and Vice-Chair Shanna Swan at the Research and Mentoring of the Department of Preventive Medicine in Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York (USA) published groundbreaking research linking mothers' phthalate levels with altered genital development in their baby sons. The research findings soon influenced US policy debate and legislation in major ways, resulting in the ban of phthalates from children articles in 2008. Phthalates are chemicals widely found in cosmetics, pesticides, PVC plastics – including some tubing used in intravenous drips, pharmaceuticals, and indoor air. Cristel Schaldemose, Member of the European Parliament, hosted the very well-attended breakfast briefing organized by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Reseau Environnment Sante (RES). Prof. Swan’s concerns were supported by talks from André Cicolella, a toxicologist and scientific adviser to the French National Institute of Environment and Risks (INERIS) and chair of RES, who emphasised recent bans on EDCs in France. Lisette van Vliet, Senior Policy Adviser for Chemicals and Chronic Disease Prevention at HEAL, laid out the potential opportunities for EU policy action on EDCs for better public health protection. Prof. Swan’s visit comes at an important moment as the EU Parliament has recently announced an own-initiative report on EDCs, a clear sign of concern on public health regarding EDCs, the existing levels of the population’s exposure and the need for appropriate legislation. Additional information: Dr. Swan’s article from 2005, “Decrease in Anogenital Distance among Male Infants with Prenatal Phthalate Exposure” Environ Health Perspect 113(8):1056–1061 (2005); doi:10.1289/ehp.8100 Endocrine Disruptors Website, Directorate General of Environment, European Commission Published on 13 April 2012 |
| 06/04/2012 | Putting health at the centre of the EU Environment Action Programme By setting “health & environment” as one of the four priorities of the current 6th Environmental Action Programme, this theme has served as a driver for important initiatives in EU chemicals, pesticides and air quality policy. While environmental health protection has increased through the initiation of many new policies or revisions, the challenges we face from existing and emerging environmental contamination remain huge and require urgent action. Environmental pollution – including air, noise, chemical, and water - is an important factor in the rise of chronic diseases, and strongly related to social inequalities. This is a message that has also been highlighted by the European Environment Agency’s State of the Environment Report 2010. HEAL urges EU environment ministers to raise their concerns on the links of environment and health at their meeting and show their commitment for a renewed environment and health agenda in the 7 EAP. Areas of specific concern that should be addressed include measures to address endocrine disruptors EDCs, chemical mixtures and nanomaterials, as well as a better protection from substances of very high concern SVHC. Meanwhile, citizens, organisations and public authorities can submit their views on the 7 EAP to a public consultation launched by the European Commission. The consultation is open until 1 June. |
| 06/04/2012 | Have your say in the consultation on chronic diseases The European Commission (EC) has launched a long awaited consultation on the EU reflection process on chronic diseases. It is inviting stakeholders, including patient organizations, health professionals and healthcare providers to provide their view on a number of questions outlined in their discussion paper. Environmental pollution is an important factor to be considered in chronic diseases, as well as social inequalities. HEAL and its members have been repeatedly highlighting the environmental and social dimension of chronic diseases because an ambitious EU environmental protection agenda can provide many opportunities for chronic disease prevention. View the Commission discussion paper here and submit your input by the deadline for comments which is 15 April 2012. |
| 06/04/2012 | Act now or face costly consequences, warns OECD The OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050 examines the biggest risks to environment and well-being associated with continuing “business-as-usual” between now and 2050 and reaches some disturbing conclusions. It projects that the global economy will nearly quadruple by 2050, at which point energy demand will be 80% higher than current levels. This could lead to a 50% increase in greenhouse gas emissions globally and worsening air pollution. The OECD predicts that urban air pollution will be the top environmental cause of mortality worldwide by 2050. The OECD stresses that well-designed policies to tackle environmental problems can also help to address other environmental challenges, and contribute to growth and development. Tackling local air pollution contributes not only to cutting GHG emissions but also to reducing the economic burden of chronic and costly health problems. Moreover, climate policies help protect biodiversity, for example by reducing emissions from deforestation. If no new policies are implemented the OECD outlook projects that: urban air quality will continue to deteriorate globally. By 2050, outdoor air pollution (particulate matter and ground-level ozone) is projected to become the top cause of environmentally related deaths worldwide. air pollution concentrations in some cities, particularly in Asia, are already far above acceptable health standards (e.g. the World Health Organization’s Air Quality Guideline). This situation is likely to continue and significant reduction efforts will be needed to reduce their effects on health. the number of premature deaths from exposure to particulate matter (PM) is projected to more than double to reach 3.6 million a year globally. Because of their ageing and urbanisedpopulations, OECD countries are likely to have one of the highest premature death rates from ground-level ozone. The OECD-outlook clearly states that additional efforts have to be made to effectively minimize health and well-being threats related to air pollution. As air pollution is a transnational problem, the OECD outlook is also of relevance for the EU and its climate and air policies. HEAL contributes to these policy actions highlighting public health is at the heart of climate and air challenges (e.g. health benefits of greenhouse gas reduction and a joint letter asking to ensure a high ambition level in the revised Gothenburg Protocol on air pollution). Additional information Health and Environment Chapter of the OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050: The Consequences of Inaction and key figures OECD press release on the outlook |
| 06/04/2012 | Spotlight on noise and health The European Parliament and the ministers in the Competitiveness Council are currently discussing a proposal to update the EU law on sound level of motor vehicles. A hearing in the European Parliament on 11 April will bring together scientists, MEPs, health and environment groups to discuss details on this key piece of legislation to reduce noise at source. As a WHO assessment on the burden of disease from environmental noise showed, traffic noise is the second biggest environmental threat to health after air pollution. Despite this alarming evidence, reducing noise exposure is not yet in the full EU political spotlight and more action is needed to reduce this public health threat. For example, HEAL and partners Transport & Environment and European Environmental Bureau think that the proposed measures and timetable to reduce noise from cars, vans and trucks should be more ambitious Find more information in our policy section on noise. |
| 06/04/2012 | EU consults on tackling chronic diseases The consultation on the future of EU and Member States action is a response to a high-level UN/WHO meeting in autumn 2011. At the meeting, global leaders agreed on a set of actions to tackle the rise of chronic diseases, including addressing the most common recognised risk factors: tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. Yet environmental pollution as an important factor in chronic diseases was almost absent from the agenda. HEAL thinks the EU and countries should use this consultation to provide evidence and best practice which highlight how a healthy environment, and reducing exposure to environmental pollution and inequalities, is a key contributor to reducing chronic diseases. Ample examples on the inter-linkages between environment and chronic diseases exist, some of which have been compiled by HEAL in a factsheet, and new science continues to come in. Just recently, a report by CHEMTrust underlines the scientific evidence of how daily exposure to chemicals may be contributing to obesity and diabetes. Prior to the UN high-level meeting, HEAL member organisations and partners raised awareness on the environmental link to chronic diseases: In an open letter to the UN/WHO more than 100 organisations and scientists demanded the inclusion of environmental factors into the outcome document of the high-level meeting In an open letter to EU Health Commissioner Dalli, HEAL urged the Commissioner to take up the environmental protection concern, especially given the EU’s track record on cutting down disease and ill-health through ambitious environmental policy. Commissioner Dalli consequently underlined the need to address “social, economic and environmental factors”, a concern which HEAL hopes the Commission will deliver on to guide further EU policy on chronic diseases. Members of the European Parliament also supported HEAL’s call by stating in their resolution that the environment should be considered as the fifth factor in chronic disease prevention With the EU consultation on chronic diseases open until 15 April, now is the time to again make the case for environmental prevention of diseases. Every opportunity to prevent ill-health should be seized to allow EU and member states to act to reduce air pollution, exposure to hazardous chemicals and provide clean water so that chronic disease can be minimized. |
| 06/04/2012 | Countdown to Rio+20 Citizens around the world are looking to political decision-makers to have an ambitious outcome of the Rio+20 conference in order to tackle the urgent environment and health challenges that we face. Rio+20 is an opportunity to highlight not only the health impacts of environmental degradation and how they intersect with poverty, but also to show how moving towards a green economy and poverty eradication will coincide with huge health benefits. Sadly, this recognition of the health dimension of Rio+20 is still lacking with decision-makers. In the first draft of the outcome document health was only marginally mentioned, even though an analysis showed that that health and well-being was the top issue in many consultation inputs from governments, UN organizations and NGOs. The Executive Board of the WHO (World Health Organization) recently adopted a paper on Rio+20, proposing action along three lines: universal access to healthcare, obtaining health co-benefits from sustainable development policies in different sectors, and ensuring that health related indicators are included in the metrics of sustainable development. EU Environment Ministers are also speeding up preparations: in their Council conclusions: Rio+20: Pathways to a Sustainable Future, they underlined that one of the main outcomes of the conference should be the adoption of a green economy roadmap with timetables for specific goals, objectives and actions. They have urged the European Commission to present proposals for such targets and concrete actions. HEAL is preparing to send a health delegation to the UN conference in June, and will be highlighting and promoting the work of members and partners related to Rio+20 prior to the conference, e.g. activities by the International POPs Elimination Network IPEN, the Global Coalition for Climate Action GCCA and activities of HEAL member Women in Europe for a Common Future WECF on gender equality and sustainable development. HEAL Executive Committee Member, Andre Cicolella from Reseau Environnement Sante will also participate in Rio+20. For further information on Rio+20 see: http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.html |
| 06/04/2012 | 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 Future on 23 March 2012. It was entitled Pesticides and health : Which paths forward are possible ? (« Pesticides et santé : Quelles voies d’amélioration possibles ? ») She told participants the welcome news that the European Parliament had decided to produce an “own initiative” report on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. She encouraged everyone to write to their MEPs calling for strong action to reduce this menace to public health. The meeting was an important moment in France because the Senate has recently announced that it would set up a Commission on pesticides and health, which will report later this year. As a result, 12 senators and numerous assistants took an active part in the multi-disciplinary conference. The format of the meeting was exciting with a series of scientific presentations followed by lively round-tables with doctors, lawyers, journalists and farmers on legal recognition of health effects and on “an alternative development model”. Several speakers referred with jubilation the victory of Paul Francois, President of the Phyto-victimes network, against the pesticide giant, Monsanto. His response was modest being more eager to share a welcome prediction that Parkinson’s Disease would soon be added to the currently far-too-short list of professionally recognised diseases associated with pesticide exposure in France. Another important development was the representation of “bystanders” at the conference – that is, people exposed to pesticides as result of living or proximity exposure to agricultural spraying or other pesticide use. Lawyer Stephane Cottineau said the existing legislation intended to protect bystanders was so complicated as to render it virtually useless for the general public. He planned to help define rights to “buffer zones” on behalf of bystanders. A compelling presentation was given by prize-winning endocrine paediatric doctor Charles Sultan. He said that the scientific evidence of the harm to health of endocrine-disrupting pesticides was now available from five different scientific disciplines. He described “a new concept in medicine”: exposure in the foetal phase which produced health consequences later in life. Dr Sultan’s clinical work involves treating increasing numbers of cases of very premature puberty in young girls but he also highlighted another speaker’s evidence of a growing number of cases of “micro penis” in baby boys. He said it was time for EDCs to be subjected to the same assessment process as pharmaceuticals and that politicians and doctors should call for the banning all pesticides in France. The congress produced 12 key demands on “Pesticides and health: Which avenues for improvement are possible?” (in French) The meeting also launched a survey to elicit information from French politicians on their positions on pesticides, see www.congrespesticides.org/signez.html After the first day of the congress, a preview of the film “La mort est dans le pre” was shown in the Paris Town Hall (Hotel de Ville) followed by a discussion with members of the Phyto victims network and the director of the film. View the trailer of the documentary here The documentary will be shown on the French television channel France 2 on 17 April around 10 p.m. |
| 08/03/2012 | Get involved in building a pesticide free future! The 7th annual Pesticides Action Week aims to: raise awareness on the health and environment risks of synthetic pesticides; highlight alternative solutions; and, build a global grassroots movement for a pesticide-free world. In 2006, the first in this series of annual events was organised in France by HEAL member “Générations Futures”. The initiative was a success and continued to grow each year into a bigger and stronger movement, welcoming the involvement of new countries throughout Europe and around the world. Each year local, national and international organisations join an ever expanding international movement. More than 400 events are already registered on the official website, which is regularly updated. To register your event click here. This year (20-30 March), events include a meeting in the European Parliament, ecological gardening will be again in the spotlight, local authorities will expand their “pesticide free” policy, symbolic marches will take place, and much more. As part of the Pesticides Action Week, HEAL member Generations Futures is organizing a conference on pesticides and health: Which ways of improvement are possible? Its aim is to bring the voice of health-affected groups to the debate. The event will bring together for the first time victims of pesticide exposure, professionals and individuals to speak about health risks and necessary political action. The two-day international conference (23-24 March) will take place at the the Palais du Luxembourg and will focus on health implication and alternatives to pesticides. To register or for more detailed information: http://www.congrespesticides.org/ We also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the book publication Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. The book is widely credited to help launch environmental movements. The book documents detrimental effects of pesticides on the environment. It inspired widespread public concerns with pesticides and pollution of the environment. For more information on the Pesticides Action Week (20-30 March): www.pesticideactionweek.org |
| 08/03/2012 | Commission’s analysis provides case for stronger EU climate action Brussels, 30 January 2012 - The European Commission has released a new paper (1) 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. Apart from saving us money in these times of economic crisis, a stronger target to clean up and modernize the European economy will: Save an extra € 20 billion of fuel expenses per year between 2016 and 2020, savings which offset the € 18 billion extra investments needed in the energy sector to move beyond the current 20% target. Help reduce money spent and dependence on fossil fuels we have to import from abroad, boost air quality and save pollution costs of up to € 2.7 billion per year. Create up to 1.5 million extra jobs by 2020. According to the new EU report, a range of smart policy decisions – for example reducing fossil fuel subsidies and increasing energy efficiency – will boost research in and development of modern technologies made in Europe. This, together with a reduction in labour costs, is good for 1.5 million new jobs by 2020. The paper also provides estimates of the health benefits of moving to a 30% reduction in carbon emissions at between €3.3 billion and €7.9bn annually – both for the EU as a whole and on a country by country basis. Doctors and health groups have welcomed the Commission’s recognition of these public health benefits but say that the estimates are conservative. In an editorial in the European Voice, Brussels’ leading weekly newspaper, Prof Dr Hugh Montgomery, a co-founder of Climate and Health Council, UK and a member of the European health NGO delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said he considered the health figures from the Commission as “a serious underestimate”. He explained: “The Commission considers only impacts on loss of life (mortality effects) associated with improving air quality. However, when consideration is given to morbidity (ill health) relating to chronic bronchitis, cardiac and respiratory hospital admissions, restricted activity days due to poor air quality, consultations for asthma and upper respiratory symptoms and days of respiratory medication use by adults and children, greater benefits are seen.” He also points out that the report does not consider the full range of health benefits which a low carbon lifestyle brings. Thus, more active transport (cycling/walking) means less ‘tailpipe’ pollution and less meat consumption means less methane from cattle. Taking more exercise and eating less meat is healthy - reducing rates of Alzheimer’s disease, depression, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, various cancers as well as rates of heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke entirely independently of their effects on greenhouse gas emissions. A detailed analysis in the prestigious journal ‘The Lancet’ provided detailed data on this issue (2). A recent independent report published by Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) quantified the mortality and morbidity benefits associated with cleaner air as a result of raising the domestic target from 20% to 30% at an additional €10bn-€30bn (3). The report provided figures for the EU as a whole and for 16 EU countries, which are compared with the Commission’s new estimates. The Commission’s paper has prompted many health and environment groups to again call on EU governments to act now. “Governments should seize this good news on health benefits to raise the EU’s climate ambition under the Danish Presidency. The health economic benefits for both the EU and member states are significant, and yet we know they are just the tip of the iceberg, and do not reflect the full public health benefits of moving to 30%, as recent studies have shown”, states Genon Jensen, HEAL Executive Director. Ms Jensen says the health benefits merit the serious attention of health ministers and EU Health Commissioner Dalli. She wants there to be a discussion on this issue at the next Health Council and an EU meeting of chief medical officers as soon as possible. The health benefits will be all the greater for acting sooner. “Our findings showed that if we start today the overall benefits for citizens’ health will be more than twice as big as they would be if we delay action until 2015,” Ms Jensen adds. References 1. The Commission Staff Working Paper, 30 January 2012 entitled “Analysis of options beyond 20% GHG emission reductions: Member state results” http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/package/docs/staff_working_doc_2012_en.pdf 2. The Lancet, Health and Climate Change, November 2009 http://www.thelancet.com/series/health-and-climate-change 3. Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH), Acting Now for Better Health, A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy, September 2010. Available for download at http://www.env-health.org/?rubrique97 |
| 08/03/2012 | 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. Although the French “Grenelle Environment Forum” has targets to reduce pesticide use by 50%, remove the most hazardous pesticides from the market, and increase the amount agricultural land in organic farming, it is clear that little progress has been made since it was adopted four years ago. Similarly, victims of pesticides, such as farmers and professional users, face many difficulties in gaining official recognition for the association between their illnesses and occupational exposure, and appropriate compensation. Making the victims of pesticides more visible and audible will facilitate their engagement and help provide answers to questions, such as: What are the health outcomes of the exposure to pesticides for professionals and the general population? How can the victims be helped and advised, both legally and medically? How can practices and policies change for the benefit of health and the environment without causing unacceptable damage to agricultural business? The two day congress will include one day of scientific presentations and a second day of technical workshops, building capacity, and sharing tools for mobilisation. At the close of the first day, an exclusive film screening of a documentary entitled “Farmers sick with pesticides” will take place. The documentary follows the lives of conventional farmers from the Phyto Victimes network and highlights the barriers around speaking out on the harm pesticides bring to family and community health. It will be followed by a political debate and a formal presentation of demands to invited high level French decision makers. The conference will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson, which documents detrimental effects of pesticides on the environment and health. It inspired widespread public concerns with pesticides and pollution of the environment. The two-day international conference (23-24 March) will take place at the Palais du Luxembourg, Paris. To register or for more detailed information: click on the link http://www.congrespesticides.org/ |
| 08/03/2012 | 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. Monsanto was found responsible for the injury to Paul Francois resulting from the inhalation of the pesticide, Lasso. The facts In 2004, Paul Francois, a farmer in the Charente area of France, was intoxicated by vapours of the herbicide Lasso Monsanto. He suffered nausea and fainting, and a multitude of other disorders requiring him to stop working for nearly a year: they included stuttering, dizziness, headache, and muscle disorders. His persistent health problems were recognized by the French authorities as "occupational" in 2008. Paul Francis is now considered 50% disabled. Proceedings for damages against Monsanto Paul Francois instituted proceedings for damages against Monsanto and the hearing was held on 12 December 2011 before the civil division of the Lyon 4th District Court. On Monday 13 February, the District Court of Lyon issued its decision that Monsanto is responsible for the injury caused to Paul Francois after the inhalation of Lasso. Accordingly, the court: "Condemns Monsanto to fully indemnify Paul Francis for his loss", which will be evaluated after a medical examination. The press release says that "Générations Futures welcomes this courageous decision by the District Court of Lyon. Recognition of Monsanto’s liability in this case is extremely important: the pesticide companies now know that they will no longer be able to shirk their responsibilities onto the government or onto the user of these products. They will have to take the responsibility upon themselves.” François Veillerette, spokesperson at Générations Futures also says: "This is an important step for all farmers and other victims of pesticides. It demonstrates that company responsibility is implicated in the painful diseases that they endure, which will affect their compensation.” |
| 08/03/2012 | Child exposure to PFCs associated with reduced immune response A recent scientific paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that elevated exposures to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in children are associated with reduced immune response to routine immunizations (tetanus and diphtheria) in those aged 5 to 7 years old. The study suggested that exposure to PFCs, before and after birth, may lower a child’s ability to make disease-fighting antibodies for tetanus and diphtheria later in life. HEAL gave a response to the paper in a press release saying “Aside from the concerns that this study raises about high exposures to PFCs and decreased vaccination efficacy, it may be foreshadowing the negative effects of PFC exposure on the general (human) immune system.” Read the response from HEAL and/or download the full press release here. |
| 08/03/2012 | 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. All European countries show disparities in exposure to environmental factors between the rich and the poor. WHO’s new report on environmental health inequalities enables countries, for the first time, to identify priorities for national action based on concrete data. For example, within the European Union (EU) alone, around 80 million people live in relative poverty: with incomes below 60% of the national median income level. Many of these people live in damp housing, with insufficient heating and inadequate sanitary equipment. In the new EU countries, the lowest-income population reports having no bath or shower at home 13 times more often than the richest, and almost 7 million poor people have this problem in the EU as a whole. Worse, however, over 16 million people in relative poverty cannot afford to heat their homes in winter. Similar results are found for exposure to noise and second-hand smoke, and the incidence of various injuries. The report indicates, as priorities for national action, environmental health risks that are greater and more unequally distributed in one country than in others. Background from WHO press release The unequal distribution of people’s exposure to – and potentially of disease resulting from – environmental conditions is strongly related to a range of sociodemographic determinants. Interventions to tackle such environmental health inequalities need to be based on an assessment of their magnitude and on the identification of population groups that are most exposed or most vulnerable to environmental risks. But data are scarce. To address this gap, and follow up on the commitments made at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Parma, Italy in 2010, the WHO Regional Office for Europe has carried out a baseline assessment of the magnitude of environmental health inequality in the European Region based on a core set of 14 inequality indicators. The main findings indicate that socioeconomic and demographic inequalities in risk exposure are present in all countries, though they vary from country to country. The report reviews inequalities related to housing, injuries, and the environment, identifies gaps in evidence that still need to be filled, and suggests priority action to be taken at both the subregional and the national level, bearing in mind those national variations. To download or order the report, click here See HEAL's related report: “Making the Case for Environmental Justice in Europe in Central and Eastern Europe” and brochure on "Environmental justice: Listening to Women and Children". |
| 08/03/2012 | 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. With environmental emergencies increasing, the Centre will also boost its capacity for emergency preparedness, response and recovery, facilitating collaboration among countries and the transfer of experience. HEAL attended the reception held on 9 February to hear more about this new resource for Europe. WHO Bonn tracks H&E record Over the years, the Bonn office has coordinated the collection of scientific evidence on exposure to environmental risks and health effects to underpin policy-making in the European Region. For example, it estimated that each European citizen loses on average 8.6 months of life expectancy due to levels of air pollution that are higher than those recommended by WHO. It concluded that traffic-related noise accounts for over 1 million healthy years of life lost annually in Western Europe. It found that inadequate housing accounts for over 100 000 deaths per year in the European Region. German federal ministers explain why they are investing in environment and health “We are increasing our financial support to the European Centre because the environment has a major impact on human health. We want WHO to be even more active in this field and support our policy-making with data analysis and recommendations,” says Dr Norbert Röttgen, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany. “Preventive health protection requires that we act today, so that coming generations will have a healthy world tomorrow. To this end, we must include all stakeholders so as to identify joint measures and strengthen our health care systems. The expanded WHO Centre in Bonn is an important step in this direction,” says Mr Daniel Bahr, Federal Minister of Health of Germany. Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe shares her vision “Our vision of a healthy environment is holistic. Most environmental hazards are generated by sectors other than health, but are eventually translated into health costs.” “I very much see the future of the European Centre for Environment and Health as centred on these key challenges of our times, and I envisage it as a regional hub of excellence supporting European countries in providing healthy environments to all their people, equally.” “At the Fourth Ministerial Conference in Parma, Italy in 2010, for the first time in the history of the process, the 53 countries in the WHO European Region agreed to be measured against time-bound, concrete targets. Through the Parma Declaration, they pledge to provide equal access to healthy environments during the next decade by acting on the “key environment and health challenges of our time, including climate change, emerging issues and the effects of the economic crisis.” “This unique, robust commitment is bound to my new vision for the future of the European environment and health process oriented towards health in all policies, which gains a higher political profile through the direct engagement of government ministers within a newly established European Environment and Health Ministerial Board.” Read the speech in full here |
| 08/03/2012 | 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. Other priorities agreed by the Ministerial Board include: inviting the European Commission be more involved in its work; organizing a consultation on environment and health priorities; developing strategies on communication and resource mobilization; and supporting the engagement of young people. The Ministerial Board provides high-level strategic direction to the environment and health process in Europe, and is assisted in its work by the WHO secretariat and the European Environment and Health Task Force (EEHTF), of which HEAL is a member. The Ministerial Board’s membership comprises representatives of four health ministries (France, Malta, Serbia, Slovenia), four environment ministries (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Romania, Turkey) and four intergovernmental organizations (WHO, UNEP, UNECE and the European Commission). The second meeting was held on 14 February 2012, in Bonn, Germany. The Board’s next meeting will take place on 9 September 2012 in Malta, before the sixty-second session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe. WHO Executive Board supports new health agenda item on Rio+20 HEAL welcomes the recent WHO Executive Board meeting to include a new health-related agenda item on the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June which echoes its submission. During the Executive Board, countries affirmed the need for a strong position on health in the context of the Rio+20 conference, and to reiterate the relationship between health and sustainable development. The WHO Executive Board paper proposes action on three fronts: universal access to health care, obtaining health co-benefits from sustainable development policies in different sectors, and ensuring that related health indicators are included in the metrics of sustainable development. The Executive Board also discussed the progress report on Climate change and health (see Resolutions EB124.R5 and WHA61.19). For background from HEAL, see: First meeting of the WHO Europe Environment and Health Ministerial Board |
| 08/03/2012 | 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 The vote in the EP’s ENVI committee has considerably strengthened health and environment concerns for the 7 EAP. The current 6th EU Environment Action Programme (which expires in July 2012) includes for the first time “health and environment” as a priority, which has led to important initiatives in EU chemicals, air and water policy. Both the European Parliament and Environment Ministers in the Council are currently discussing the framework of the next EAP, as the key strategic framework for EU environmental policy for the next years. HEAL is especially concerned about the role that environmental degradation plays in the rise of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardio-vascular and respiratory disease or diabetes and advocates that health and environment remains a priority for future EU action. We welcome the fact that ENVI MEPs recognize that ‘a holistic approach’ in needed to protect vulnerable groups such as children, and ask for more action to protect their health based on the targets set out in the WHO Parma Declaration. A supported amendment requests that the 7EAP is aligned with the EU financial mechanisms to ensure adequate funding. The European Parliament will vote on the report drafted by Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany) in April. EU Environment ministers will hold a special session on the 7 EAP at their informal meeting on 18-19 April. Additional information: HEAL's open letter on ENVI vote on draft report Leinen on 7 EAP – strengthen health and environment concerns to members of the ENVI committee website: Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union |
| 31/01/2012 | 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. These include extensive work on the foreseen 7th EU Environment Action Programme (with Council conclusions outlining the content scheduled for June 2012), tackling the problem of chemicals mixtures, and furthering agreement on the new EU LIFE+ programme for environment and climate project funding 2014-2020. The preparations for the UN Sustainable Development conference Rio+20 (Council conclusions scheduled for March 2012), and discussions on the EU budget or the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy also fall under their Presidency. All are exciting policy opportunities for health and environment. Further information on the priorities of the Danish EU presidency can be found on the website for the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2012 at http://eu2012.dk/en. |
| 31/01/2012 | 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. In a joint Press Release issued just after the plenary vote HEAL, several Pesticides Action Network groups, and Women in Europe for A Common Future (WECF) set out their critique of the new biocides law. Namely, they cite that exemptions to the phase out hazardous biocides are too wide and the lack of action foreseen to address the sustainable use of biocides. Read the full press release here. |
| 31/01/2012 | 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. The Commission Staff Working Paper “Analysis of options beyond 20% GHG emission reductions: Member state results,” released 30 January 2012, shows there is a clear opportunity to increase the EU’s ambition for tackling climate change says that “the 30% reduction scenario has become considerably less costly” thus rebutting the arguments that have held Europe back from strengthening its emissions reductions target for 2020. It gives strong focus to health economic benefits, which it estimates at €3.4 to €7.9 billion annually from 2020 onwards due to reduced mortality (25% out of 30% reductions domestically, the remainder being met through use of international emission reduction credits). “Governments should seize this good news on health benefits to raise the EU’s climate ambition under the Danish Presidency. The health economic benefits for both the EU and member states are significant, and yet we know they are just the tip of the iceberg, and do not reflect the full public health benefits of moving to 30%, as recent studies have shown”, states Genon Jensen, HEAL Executive Director. The even better news is that the Commission’s analysis is probably an underestimation given they do not include morbidity (ill-health), nor do they include the full range of health benefits from climate mitigation measures in the transport and agricultural sector, such as from increased walking and cycling. A joint report, Acting Now for Better Health, demonstrated that achieving the current 20% emissions reduction target in the EU would produce health benefits (including morbidity and mortality savings) equivalent to between €13 and €52 billion per year from 2020 onwards. Raising the target to a full 30% domestic reduction, with no ‘offsetting’, would save an additional €10-30 billion per year. “The EU member states must act quickly and put the EU on track to a low cost emission reduction pathway by 2050 by increasing its climate ambition for 2020.” Ms Jensen added, “Our findings showed that if we start today the overall benefits for citizens’ health will be more than twice as big as they would be if we delay action until 2015.” HEAL believes this merits the serious attention of health ministers and EU Health Commissioner Dalli, and urges them to consider putting the issue on the agenda of the next Health Council and at a forthcoming EU meeting of chief medical officers. More and more doctors and medical groups throughout Europe are championing the health message and urging both member states and the EU to adopt strong climate targets on health grounds. Learn more here. |
| 31/01/2012 | 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. Although the Commission recognizes the “underlying environmental factors” in tackling chronic diseases, the proposal falls short when it comes to defining actions on tackling chronic diseases related to environmental exposures. For example, cancer prevention and control is one of the priorities of the new programme, yet is in unclear if the prevention measures proposed will go beyond early detection through screening programmes, and also address reducing exposures to environmental contaminants. Given that poor indoor air is an important determinant of chronic diseases such as asthma with a significant burden of disease in Europe, the new Health programme should continue to address it, in order to provide support for EU and national policies. Climate change should also be strengthened in the programme to contribute more evidence on the wide range of health co-benefits around climate mitigation strategies and policies. This would in turn better inform EU climate decisions as well as increase engagement of the health sector across Europe. The proposal for the EU Health for Growth programme has a financial volume of 446 million EUR and now has to go through European Parliament and Council for adoption. |
| 31/01/2012 | 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. A recent report by PAN Europe has shown that despite a ban on the pesticide, many EU member states still use Metam under an exemption clause, and there are even discussions on re-authorising it. Meanwhile, the evidence on health and environment impacts of Metam continues to build, including its endocrine disrupting properties. HEAL urges Commissioner Dalli to propose a full ban of this pesticide. |
| 31/01/2012 | 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 (link to content below) The call is to address contaminated sites like Minamata in Japan where the world’s worst mercury poisoning tragedy occurred and contamination remains. The action requested is for individuals or organisations to sign on to a letter which the Japanese Citizens’ Against Chemical Pollution (CACP) has produced. It urges the Japanese government to address this issue. HEAL is already one of the signees and strongly encourages others to also sign on. Although IPEN had already gathered nearly 500 signatories on 23 January for the release of their statement to the Japanese government, they are still taking on more. Learn more and sign on here. |
| 31/01/2012 | Urge Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli to propose a full ban of the pesticide metam Join HEAL, Pesticide Action Network 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. The Commissioner will soon have to decide about the re-authorisation of metam. For details see: http://www.pan-europe.info/News/PR/111102.html |
| 31/01/2012 | 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. In a press release HEAL outlines how it considers that extracting shale gas represents a major new threat for public health in Europe. The call from the CDC in the US follows publication of a review of health impacts of gas drilling which found water contaminated with fracking chemicals and toxic metals posed the most significant risk to humans and animals. Although any future study by CDC would apply to the US situation, it would be very valuable for Europe because this form of drilling and extraction has much longer history in North America. Similar broad-ranging studies are also needed for Europe on the potentially high threats to public health from drinking water pollution, agricultural water pollution, air pollution and other contamination. Learn more in HEAL’s press release here. |
| 31/01/2012 | 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. Their opinion, stressed that when improving the energy efficiency of buildings, ensuring good indoor air quality is key. Health impacts should also be taken into account when deciding on energy efficiency management plans and in energy audits. Following earlier concerns raised, HEAL calls for the leading EP Committee on Energy to take up these concerns of the health community in their upcoming vote in February. |
| 31/01/2012 | 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. NGOs working in public and environmental health throughout the world are also concerned because the current draft global treaty text that deals with contaminated sites is weak. The Japanese government has proposed naming the global treaty the Minamata Convention. For HEAL, it is very important that the Global Treaty addresses the legacy of the Minamata disaster, and other contaminated sites. The Treaty must adequately reflect the principles in the 1992 Rio Declaration which cover compensation for victims of pollution and other environmental damage (Principle 13) and the Polluter Pays Principle (Principle 16). An English version of the statement delivered by the Japanese Citizens’ Against Chemical Pollution to the Japanese ministers is here: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/kagaku/pico/mercury/Shiryou/Lessons_Learned_from_Minamata_en.pdf |
| 15/12/2011 | 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. The BMJ Climate, Security and Health far reaching statement was issued at a conference on the health and security implications of climate change in London on 17th October 2011, and has been signed by more than 500 leading medical scientists, doctors, security experts and advocacy groups. The statement calls upon governments around the world to prioritise efforts to address the causes and impacts of climate change and sets out seven recommendations. Among them, it urges: 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. all governments to enact legislative and regulatory change to stop the building of new unabated coal-fired power stations and phase out the continuing operation of existing plants prioritising lignite generation as most harmful to health. all governments to strive to adopt climate change mitigation targets and policies that are more ambitious than their international commitments. Add your name to this growing list in the wake of Durban climate negotiations, which failed to address the urgency of the problem by signing up at the British Medical Journal conference website, and using the statement as an organising, educational tool to promote health in climate discussions at all levels. To do so please visit: http://climatechange.bmj.com/statement To view video clips from some of the high level presentations, visit the BMJ media channel on utube and the selected links below. Professor Hugh Montgomery on Climate Change and the Health benefits of going low carbon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-c_baDvb80 Professor Timothy Lang on Climate Change and International Food Security - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4I2pIkNJc8 WHO expert, Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum on the Global Health Impact of Climate Change - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6Oos9SWa8o Dr Fiona Godlee - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQMx... Isabella Platon - International Diabetes Federation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJZZNsI_-KY Tom Burke of E3G talking about climate change, health and security - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIosMfuL0E8 Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti on the link between climate change, health and security - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Af3AqUBVI Simon Ewins on how Whitbread is taking climate change seriously - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0YwmBsI1qU Trevor Maynard of Lloyd's on Calculating Insurance and Risk in relation to Climate Change - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWRhkWnqRwE George Polk CEO The Cloud Network - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfXbNWrQ2ms Professor Chris Rapley on the Certainty and Uncertainty of Climate Change Science - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDMO... Alejandro Litovsky, Environmental Stressors and Climate Change - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m9e... Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis - Climate change and military security - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3neE... Andy Hill on why Tesco is worried about Climate Change - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxgbE7Z0QdY Lord Michael Jay - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1WhA8PiUxI |
| 15/12/2011 | 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. Watch inspiring speakers! From the UNFCCC press conference following the Climate and Health Summit: Professor Sir Andy Haines, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Prof. Dr. Hugh Montgomery, Climate and Health Council, University College London UK. See http://unfccc4.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop17/templ/play.php?id_kongresssession=4432&theme=unfccc The video of the Climate and Health Summit will be ready shortly... Videos from the WHO, UK and South African UNFCCC side event which advanced a new Framework for Health Adaptation to Climate Change in Africa for: Prof Nicholas Stern, of the London School of Economics, speaking at COP-17 in Durban, South Africa Dr Pakishe Aaron Notsoaledi, Minister of Health South Africa, speaking at COP-17 in Durban, South Africa Dr Maria Neira, World Health Organisation, speaking at COP-17 in Durban, South Africa See some photos! Our joint side event received a full page report in the Earth Negotiation Bulletin (see, page 2). Photos from the meeting are also at www.iisd.ca/climate/cop17/enbots/ Health leaders were also photographed taking the temperature of a giant globe and finding that if there is no immediate intervention, temperatures will surpass 2 degrees Celsius, endangering the health of billions of human beings (photos coming soon!) Some of the Best Key Quotes! "Climate Change poses an immediate and grave threat to human health and survival worldwide. Many are already affected. Emissions are rising steeply. Action is needed now- not 'later'." - Dr. Hugh Montgomery, Climate and Health Council, UK "Strong climate policy represents a major investment in people's health. The EU has recognised the benefits for lung and heart health, which has helped to put health in the climate agenda in Europe. But in the midst of austerity associated with the Eurocrisis and with greenhouse gas emissions continuing to rise, isn't it time for the EU to commit to an emission reduction target in Durban that would boost health protection, reduce health care bills and make Europeans proud?" - Genon Jensen, Executive Director, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) "...if we don’t change the positions of national governments we will never have a meaningful global agreement that truly tackles climate change. Such change, people from countries ranging from Australia to South Africa to the US agreed, needs to come from movements from below — especially those that address the link between fossil fuels, public health and climate change and that argue that a clean, renewable energy path is essential to protecting public health." - Joshua Karliner, International Coordinator, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) "I'm a 21 year old medical student, and these negotiations have been carrying on my entire life. If we don't reach a legally binding agreement on climate change soon, the protection and promotion of public health will be seriously undermined, world-wide." - Nick Watts, International Federation of Medical Students Associations "After spending the day sharing ideas and talking to people from a wide variety of organisations and countries, the atmosphere at the summit was one of empowerment. One of the key successes of the day was to forge new networks between people working on climate and health world-over. A declaration on climate and health - which included a call for action at COP 17 - was released. The time is ripe for health professionals to engage with climate change advocacy more urgently than ever and the Climate and Health Summit bolstered everyone’s motivation and ability to do just that." - Beth Finch, winner of UCL's Institute for Global Health travel bursary to COP17 and a member of the HEAL COP 17 delegation Beth writes for the Climate and Health Council blog at: www.climateandhealth.org/magazine/read/climate-and-health-summit-durban-4th-december-_156.html "Climate change presents as one of the most important threats to the gains in public health made since the advent of democracy in South Africa. The vulnerable and marginalised such as the elderly, ill, pregnant women, children and rural poor are at greatest risk. Programmes of mitigation and adaptation must include health." - Dr. Rajen Naidoo, Nelson R. Mandela Medical School, UKZN, Durban "Without bold action by governments climate change will magnify existing health crises, deepening and broadening the global burden of disease. The greatest burden will fall on those living in poor countries, who have contributed least to greenhouse gas emissions." - Peter Orris, MD, MPH, Professor, University of Illinois School of Public Health and Chair Environmental Working Group of World Federation of Public Health Associations "Climate change represents a major threat as well as a significant opportunity for human health. Unmitigated climate change is having serious and increasing effects on the health of millions of people around the world. However effective action to cut emissions will not only reduce climate risk, it can bring substantial and immediate health benefits for individuals and populations." - Fiona Armstrong, Climate and Health Alliance, Australia; Fellow of the progressive think tank, the Centre for Policy Development (CPD) and convenor of the Climate and Health Alliance Read her blog at: www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/rolling-dice-durban#.TuFuNpDn8Mg.email “A Climate win is a Health win. By working together across sectors promoting the co-benefits on climate, health and equity of sustainable development, sustainable production and consumption and waste reduction we can create a climate for Health.” Cristina Tirado, Director of the PHI Center for Public and Climate Change “Just as our thoughtless actions can harm our planet so can we make a positive and planned contribution to its recovery. If we all do our part we can collectively secure the health of future generations." - David C. Benton, Chief Executive Officer, International Council of Nurses |
| 15/12/2011 | 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. HEAL’s four person delegation to the UNFCCC conference were able to take part in many high-profile events, meet with the European climate change commissioner, several MEPs and many national and international policy makers, including representatives from WHO and UNEP., and continue the global climate and health movement and platform. Prof Hugh Montgomery, UK Climate and Health Council and member of the HEAL delegation, spoke at the global climate and health summit on 4 December 2011. Out of this came the Durban Declaration on Climate and Health and the Durban Global Climate and Health Call to Action. The following day, a press conference was held in the UNFCCC conference press centre. Pendo Maro, of Health & Environment Alliance and Health Care Without Harm, moderated the panel discussions at a Side Event, entitled “Climate Change and Public Health: Healthy Climate, Healthy People, Healthy Economy” organized by Health Care Without Harm, Health & Environment Alliance, Environmental Quality Protection Foundation, and International Federation of Medical Students’ Association (IFMSA). Pendo emphasised the positive message: the tangible medium and long-term impacts to health, economy, and the environment. Juliet Duff, Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA) met with the Irish delegation, including Irish Environment Minister Hogan where, with others, she was able to successfully put the health co-benefits across. Media coverage on health and climate change was the best ever achieved. Press articles and blogs, YouTube videos and Twitter feeds helped to get the message across both inside the negotiating venues and throughout Africa and the world. Hugh Montgomery was featured on the internal TV coverage, HEAL was featured in a full page feature in the internal newspaper and we twittered our press release to the 15 MEPs attending the Durban talks. The African media extensively covered the health aspects of climate change and articles about Durban also appeared in both the British Medical Journal and the Lancet medical journal. The official press release for the Summit was picked up more than 220 times by PR Newswire. Mentions of health in the negotiating texts remain few and far between. However, HEAL and other health NGOs worked hard to encourage countries to embed health messages and stated ambitions into the discussions. They did this by highlighting the serious and increasing risks to health from climate change, as well as the substantial and immediate benefits to health from strategies to reduce emissions. |
| 15/12/2011 | 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. The Climate and Health Declaration highlighted urgent replacement of fossil fuel-based energy with clean renewable energy is vital, as fossil fuels cause "immense harm" to both climate and health. 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. The Climate and Health Declaration highlights that urgent replacement of fossil fuel-based energy with clean renewable energy is vital, as fossil fuels cause "immense harm" to both climate and health and urges governments to adopt an ambitious, fair and binding treaty by 2015, and to commit to equitable contributions to a green climate fund to assist adaptation and mitigation strategies to support human health. Although the final outcomes agreed by governments in Durban lack the response needed to address the magnitude and urgency of the climate challenge, the Roadmap does provide a formal recognition that current pledges for emission reductions are inadequate and need to be corrected. The Roadmap, proposed by the EU, and agreed by the 195 Parties to the UN climate change convention, commits governments to draw up a legally binding framework to reduce emissions by 2015, that would enter into force by 2020. The increased profile of health and health leaders at the COP negotiations, and in the parallel Climate and Health Summit, which HEAL and other partners have worked to build up over the past years, have certainly supported these outcomes. HEAL congratulates the EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard who is seen by many as central in salvaging the Durban talks and the Kyoto Protocol, and in mobilising a coalition of small island nations and least developing countries to help secure the Durban agreement. She has been a strong supporter of integrating health into climate talks within EU and will be critical for moving forward EU climate policies in the coming months as well as internationally. Dr Maria Neira, from the WHO, issued a Global Health Alert during a press conference and highlighted the important role of advocacy by the health community in bringing health on the climate agenda. Despite the shortcomings on climate action from Durban, HEAL and other partners in the global health community will move forward using two new organising and education tools, the Durban Declaration on Climate and Health and the Health Sector Call to Action, which were adopted at the close of the first Climate and Health Summit, and call on negotiators to push for the most ambitious commitments possible. In the Health Sector Call to Action, healthcare providers, professionals and health organizations commit to action themselves to cut emissions in the health sector, and have urged health professionals worldwide to engage in advocacy for climate action, to help prevent unprecedented loss of life and human suffering. In the Durban Declaration on Climate and Health, Summit participants call on COP 17 negotiators to, inter alia: recognize the health benefits of climate mitigation and take bold and substantive action to reduce global GHG emissions in order to protect and promote public health; ensure greater health sector representation on national delegations and in key bodies of the UNFCCC; adopt a strong second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol; and negotiate, by 2015, a fair, ambitious and binding agreement that is consistent with the prescription for a Healthy Planet endorsed by over 130 health organizations in Copenhagen in 2009. The Climate and Health Summit was co-organized by the Climate & Health Council, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) and the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine at the University of KwaZulu Natal, in partnership with the Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Medical Association, and the International Council of Nurses, among others, and brought over 250 health leaders from 30 countries. Active health representation at the UNFCCC COP 17 talks included HEAL, HCWH, the International Federation of Medical Students (IFMSA), World Medical Association, World Federation of Public Health Associations, Climate and Health Council and the WHO featured over a dozen side events, reports and briefings on health and climate. |
| 15/12/2011 | 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. Members of the EP’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety ENVI will adopt their position on the EU Commission’s energy efficiency proposal on 20 December, before it goes to the leading EP Committee on Industry and Energy ITRE for a vote in January. While HEAL welcomes the proposals’ focus on making buildings more energy efficient, given that reduced energy consumption can contribute to better health, they are missing measures which would ensure that air quality is not compromised by energy efficiency standards. A recent report by the World Health Organisation highlights the crucial role that energy efficiency measures can have in the housing sector, as a way to mitigate climate change, and which health benefits can be reaped. However, the report underlines that “good ventilation is critical to ensure health gains from energy-efficient housing”, and that it is important to decrease health risks from chemical emissions from insulation and construction materials by using healthier substitutes. Europeans spend the majority of their time indoors, and the quality of the indoor air has an important impact on their health. Despite numerous EU funded research projects analysing the sources of indoor air pollution and ways to tackle it, the EU lacks a coherent policy with regards to ensuring indoor air quality, an important determinant in people’s health. |
| 15/12/2011 | 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. EFSA stands by its opinion from 2010 which, while acknowledging some uncertainties, upholds the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for BPA that it established in 2006. (A TDI is considered to protect all human populations for lifetime exposure to a substance through the diet). HEAL and our member organisation Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) in France criticised EFSA's statement. The criticisms have been covered in articles in ENDS Daily, Chemical Watch, and in EU Food Policy (subscription-based news services). HEAL’s view is that BPA should be replaced with safer alternatives wherever possible and as soon as possible through the REACH chemicals management system, and in all other policy arenas, particularly food contact materials. |
| 05/12/2011 | Press Release: European doctor launches warning of “grave health consequences” |
| 05/12/2011 | Media Advisory: COP17 Press Conf. on Health Leaders Call for Urgent Action on Climate |
| 04/12/2011 | Irish NGO health leader describes first-ever global Climate and Health Summit The first Climate and Health Summit held December 4 2011, in Durban brought together a vast range of participants and delegates who are concerned about the health impacts of climate change. This forum provided the inequivocal facts on why health is the central issue in climate change. Climate change threatens not only the well-being, but the very survival, of human beings. The good news is that making the changes necessary to reduce the emissions, will bring both health and financial benefits. The Durban Declaration on Climate and Health was signed, which called upon national delegations to the UNFCCC's 17th Conference of the Parties to ensure a number of actions were addressed. These included ensuring a greater health sector representation on national delegations, a strong second committment to the Kyoto Protocol, and that by 2015, a fair, ambitious and binding agreement consistent with the Prescription for a Healthy Planet which was endorsed by more t han 130 health organisations in Copenhagen in 2009, will be negotiated. Related Information: HEAL's Press Release on European doctor launches warning of “grave health consequences” |
| 30/11/2011 | On the road to Durban and beyond: are you with us? This post was written by Dr. Pendo Maro, Senior Climate Advisor for Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) along with Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH-E); Pendo is currently attending the COP 17 in Durban. I was in London on 17 October 2011 attending THE conference on health and security implications of climate change. With over 300 delegates, the meeting brought together ‘soldiers and doctors’, scientists, politicians, business, industry, environmentalists and many others. This is a good indicator that joint efforts to raise awareness about health and climate change within the health sector have taken root. Even more exciting the statement was signed by many participants and other concerned people calling the EU and other international leaders to take immediate action to address the health and security implications of climate change. But, health representation both in terms of professionals and substance at international and local climate change debates, policies and outcomes remains poor. HEAL and HCWH-E are again redressing this. Having taken a health delegation to the international climate change talks in Barcelona, Copenhagen and Cancun we will also be in Durban. The idea: make sure that health forms a cornerstone of climate change talks and ambitious, binding actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. And bring the health voice forward. We are already doing so in Europe – working with other civil society groups to advocate for health in the European institutions and in EU member states. So things are moving, albeit slowly. So why the fuss? Well, climate change is bad for your health. That’s putting it simply. For starters, the health impacts of climate change are generally known. Yes, science has shown that health impacts include increasing burden of malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, mortality and morbidity from heat waves, floods and drought, changes in distribution of some vector diseases (…). The European Respiratory Society’s report shows that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in summer temperatures above defined European city-specific levels, overall death rates increase by 1-3% and by 6% amongst people with existing respiratory conditions. Add to that: environmental degradation, food shortages, increasing poverty, misery and economic instability and you have a crisis. Many citizens are concerned about this. A recent Eurobarometer poll shows that the European public is more concerned about climate change than the current economic situation, and many believe that tackling climate change can have benefits to employment and growth. So do our elected politicians hear this? Seriously. We are a few weeks from the international climate change talks, the UNFCCC COP 17 in Durban (28 November – 9 December). Expectations are high that countries will agree to a clear, fair, legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a second commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012. This is the only international legal instrument that sets binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, covering 37 so-called industrialised countries and the European Union member states. Canada, Russia, and Japan are on the opposition. The USA is not a signatory. Here we go. On 1 November, the so-called BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) meeting in China agreed to support a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and in their statement called upon the conference in Durban to establish a second Commitment Period to the Kyoto Protocol. Climate finance and the operationalisation of the Green Climate Fund set up in Cancun were other priority issues identified for Durban. The BASIC countries also called on developed countries not Parties to the Kyoto Protocol to undertake comparable emission cuts under the Convention. They pledged to take measures to curb their own emissions. These are good signs. On 4 November, leaders of the major economies, so-called developed countries, meeting at the G20 Summit in Cannes concluded by identifying the need to operationalise the Green Climate Fund as one of the priority outcomes for Durban. Let’s see what they DO in Durban. What about the EU? Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)’s Environment Committee voted for a resolution on 26 October that calls for support to the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol and called on the EU to work towards finding an agreement on the sources and management of the Green Climate Fund. The MEPs restated their call for the EU to increase its emissions reduction target for 2020, beyond the current 20% emissions reductions compared to 1990 levels. They also want to see new measures to cut aviation and marine emissions. During a recent debate with the EU Commissioner for Climate in the same Committee on 7 November, MEPs called for bold EU action before Durban. These are wise words from MEPs. The Commissioner hears this and talked of finding a common ambitious global solution. The problem is that some EU member states, luckily not all, do not want bold action by the EU, nor for the EU to increase its climate target beyond 20% – for various reasons. But 20% is not enough[1]. And addressing climate change can have benefits to health, the environment and the economy. Acting now for a better Health Health co-benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as those from increasing the EU’s emissions reduction target from 20% to 30% compared to 1990 levels (a 10% increase), can save up to 30.5 billion Euros by 2020. These changes are mainly the result of improved air quality, which promote substantial improvements in respiratory and heart health. Reductions in healthcare costs can be an added incentive as several countries are struggling to balance their budgets and a healthier workforce can contribute to increasing productivity. No time to waste. This year will see the first ever Climate and Health Summit at an international climate change conference. The Summit, on December 4, co-organised by HCWH, and which HEAL is partner of, will take place parallel to the UNFCCC meetings at the Tropicana Hotel in Durban, South Africa. The event will bring key health sector actors from around the world together to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equity between and within nations. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate finance, healthcare sector contribution, health co-benefits and many others will feature. One of the outcomes of this Summit is to contribute to the negotiations taking place in Durban, not only by ensuring health representation, but also by making sure that key policy solutions from the Summit make their way to the Conference. Watch this space. Durban is not the end of the road, said the EU Commissioner for Climate. Indeed, in mid-next year we have the Rio+20 Summit and its ‘green economy’ agenda. Already the UNDP’s 2011 Human Development report highlights that health and income development in the so-called developing countries are hindered by inaction on climate change and environmental degradation and destruction. We have work to do! Please contact and join us. [1] IPPC (International Panel on Climate Change) 4th Assessment Report, 2007, IPCC recommendations: collective greenhouse gas emissions reductions by and within industrialised countries of 25-40% by 2020 from 1990 levels are needed to give only a 50-50 chance of limiting warming to 2 degrees. Learn more about: - HEAL's Delegation & Partners - HEAL's booth at the conference - HEAL in a Climate & Health side event - HEAL in the 1st Global Climate and Health Summit |
| 26/11/2011 | UNFCCC COP17/CMP7 HEAL Climate & Health Side Event Climate Change and Public Health: Healthy Climate, Healthy People, Healthy Economy This event addressed health in mitigation, adaptation and financing strategies and the role of the health sector in addressing climate change at local, national and global level. See press coverage from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Reporting Services at: www.iisd.ca/climate/cop17/enbots/8dece.html and www.iisd.ca/climate/cop17/enbots/pdf/enbots12108e.pdf When and Where: Thursday 8 December, 15h - 16:30; UN Conference Location: Apies River (during the UNFCCC COP17, in Durban) HEAL jointly organised a side event meeting on “Climate Change and Public Health: Healthy Climate, Healthy People, Healthy Economy”. Speakers will address health in relation to mitigation, adaptation and financing strategies, and the role of the health sector in addressing climate change at local, national and global level. The outcomes of the Global Climate and Health Summit will also be reviewed. Download the Preliminary Agenda here. Download all Side Events brochure here. |
| 26/11/2011 | UNFCCC COP17/CMP7 - Global Climate and Health Summit 5 December Media Advisory!! COP17 Press Conference: Health Leaders Call for Urgent Action on Climate When and Where: Sunday 4 December; Tropicana Hotel, 85 O R Tambo Parade, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal HEAL partnered in the first-ever Global Climate and Health Summit in Durban for the COP17 climate change talks, an event that had high-level representation by the WHO. The summit meeting brings together key health sector actors to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and to find solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equity between and within nations. Full details at: www.climateandhealthcare.org |
| 25/11/2011 | UNFCCC COP17/CMP7 HEAL Booth HEAL had a booth within the UNFCCC COP17 exhibit area for answering your questions and disseminating health and climate material from a wide array of health groups at Durban. One publication on feature is our 'Acting Now' report on what stronger climate action would do for health (url: www.env-health.org/actingnow). This joint report helps provide policy makers with important evidence on the health benefits of mitigating climate change. Sharing the booth with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), the outcome from the historic parallel Climate and Health Summit was presented. Find details on the location of the booth (number 36) here. |
| 21/11/2011 | UNFCCC COP17/CMP7 HEAL Delegation & Partners HEAL is very delighted to have again sent a delegation to the UN climate change negotiations in Durban (28 November - 9 December, 2011). Since HEAL’s participation in the Copenhagen Summit in 2009, considerable progress has been made in spreading the message on climate change impacts thanks to work by the WHO, many different countries and very active public, professional and academic groups - many of which represent the health community like HEAL. In Copenhagen, HEAL was one of only a very few other health representatives and groups with accredited delegations. Today in Durban, there are at least a dozen health-related groups taking part in the negotiations. HEAL’s delegation is represented by four very committed, talented and accomplished individuals. Below are their biographies. Dr. Hugh Edward Montgomery, University College London (UCL) Institute for Human Health & Performance Dr. Montgomery is Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London (UCL) as well as Director of the UCL Institute for Human Health & Performance. He is a co-founder of the UK Climate and Health Council, and sits on its Executive Board. He has published over 180 scientific articles (including on the topic of 'Nature'), delivered the 2007 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures and was a co-author of the UCL-Lancet Commission on Climate Change and Health. Dr Montgomery also is a London Leader in sustainability with the Greater London Authority (GLA). Contact information: University College London (UCL) Institute for Human Health & Performance Charterhouse Bdg, Archway Campus, Highgate Hill - 2nd floor London N19 5LW (UK) Tel: +44 (0)207 288 3891 ext 40840 Email: h.montgomery@ucl.ac.uk Juliet Anne Duff, Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA) Juliet is Chairperson for IDEA. After living and working for many years in East Africa, she began an investigation into the growing phenomenon of stress which she believes is major health threat. Through Juliet’s in-depth inquiry into the relationship between human health, stress and the environment she discovered an ecosystem’s approach to human health (Ecohealth) asking: “Can people stay healthy on a planet that is sick and getting sicker?” Her research has since lead her to attending and giving presentations on Ecohealth at international and national seminars and conferences, representing IDEA at local and national fora to inform on the impact of the environment and various industries/technologies on human health. Juliet also delivers lectures in Ecohealth at the University College Cork (UCC) through the Epidemiology and Public Health program as well as Environmental Health Education. Contact information: Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA) Glenville Park, Glenville Co. Cork, Ireland Tel. + 35 (0)32 1488 0474 Email: julietduff@eircom.net Web: www.ideaireland.org/index.htm Pendo Maro, Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL); Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Pendo is the joint HCWH/HEAL Senior Climate and Energy Advisor in Brussels. She has an extensive knowledge in European environmental policy integration, having worked with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) on the integration of environmental policy into policies such as the EU Sustainable Development Strategy, the Lisbon Strategy, environmental fiscal reform and use of market based instruments. Prior to her Brussels commitments, she worked in Indonesia as a consultant on deforestation and as an author and research fellow in South Africa. She has written on the EU Impact Assessment procedure and more recently published a book looking at the causes and consequences of land-use change in Lesotho. Dr. Pendo Maro holds a PhD in Environmental Change and Policy from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Contact information: Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) 28 Boulevard Charlemagne Brussels B1000 (BE) Tel: +32 (0)2 234 3642; +32 (0)2 503 4011; Email: pendo@env-health.org; pendo.maro@hcwh.org Web: www.env-health.org, www.noharm.org Elizabeth Alexandra Finch, University College London (UCL) Beth has recently completed a Masters in Global Health and Development at University College London (UCL), where she studied the impact of climate change on health with Professor Hugh Montgomery. Her interest in international development (largely from a political perspective) had inspired her to study with UCL because she felt health was key to tackling development issues. For Beth, the greatest threat to health is climate change. At undergraduate level she read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford. Since then, she has been convinced climate change is one of the most urgent issues for governments to tackle and eager to get involved in the climate change and health lobbying movement. Beth hopes to pursue a career in health policy with a focus on climate change and its related health and development issues. Contact information: University College London (UCL) 30 Guilford Street London WC1N 1EH (UK) Tel: +44 (0)20 7905 2889 ext 8272 2889 Email: eafinch@gmail.com HEAL's partners involved at Durban include: International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) Climate and Health Council (CHC) Health Care Without Harm – Europe (HCWH-E) World Health Organization (WHO) Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) WHO and GCCA work at COP17 can be read here. |
| 18/11/2011 | HEAL COP 17 partner work with WHO & GCCA The World Health Organization (WHO) will be in Durban, South Africa for COP 17 from November 28 to December 9, 2011, continuing to work with the international community to promote health within the climate change debate. At least 12 side events will touch on aspects of health and climate change ranging from improving support for health adaptation and health-promoting mitigation policies in UNFCCC and sustainable development negotiations; implementation of the African regional framework for health adaptation, and a "Climate and Health Summit" led by the NGO community. For more information on WHO's key messages, recommendations for the negotiations, and a list of health side events, please visit their website here. For any further information, please contact Marina Maiero - maierom@who.int, or Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum - campbelllendrumd@who.int. The Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) is also continuing to provide very powerful promotion of the work of non-governmental partners in the climate change process (website link), It has featured HEAL’s climate and health work in an interview with Genon Jensen, Executive director in the latest issue of tcktcktck newsletter. Read it here. |
| 17/11/2011 | HEAL at Durban for United Nations climate negotiations, COP17 Our message: What’s good for climate is good for health + the economy! The Health and Environment Alliance has a four-person delegation in Durban at the UNFCC conference, which brings together representatives of the world’s governments, international organizations and civil society. Just as at the UN climate talks in Barcelona, Copenhagen, and Cancun, our delegation is again pushing for a strong, binding climate change treaty to help protect our health. View HEAL's delegation and partners HEAL is involved in supporting three initiatives aimed at raising awareness on health and climate change. Climate and Health Summit - 4 December, 8h-19h30 Seminar on health and climate change (Side event) - 8 December, 15h-16h30 NB: Press conference to be held 5 December Conference Exhibit/Booth - Do visit us in Durban! We will be regularly updating you on news about HEAL@DURBAN as well as twittering all updates and conversations regarding progress at COP17. Please follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HealthandEnv - or keep visiting our website! |
| 10/11/2011 | 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. Indeed, for health environmentalists, many familiar faces appear in this heart-rending Swiss television documentary about citizens taking the fight against cancer into their own hands. Citizen scientist and cancer survivor, Sandra Steingraber of “Living Downstream” fame appears as does Erin Brokovich made famous by a cinema film, in which she is played by Julia Roberts, capturing her fight against industry water polluters in California. In Switzerland, it is the alarming figures on cancer rates that are prompting ordinary people to push their governments to do move to protect them from this epidemic. An estimated four Swiss national in every 10 will develop cancer during their lifetime. The film follows Christine who developed breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy at the age of 41 years. She says that four out of 12 girls in her class at school have the same condition. She wants to know whether the cancers might have been caused by the pesticide spraying or industrial emissions in the area where they all grew up. The film highlights some new and exciting citizens’ tactics. For example, Denis Camus (part of the Phyto-victimes network facilitated by HEAL member organisation, Generations Futures) is interviewed at this farm in France. He won recognition that his cancer was caused by exposure to pesticides by bringing the scientific evidence that the case should be given “the benefit of the doubt”. Another exciting approach to raising awareness is revealed in the touching story of a mother whose four-year-old daughter had died of brain cancer. She and other young women have had their heads shaved in solidarity with children with cancer. Her fundraising goes towards efforts to push the US government into doing more research into the environmental causes of cancer. Watch: "Les citoyens contre le cancer" (50-minute film in French but with several dialogues in English). It was screened in Switzerland on 6 October 2011 on prime time Swiss TV, and had a worldwide airing on TV5 subsequently. A copy of the DVD is also available at the HEAL office. |
| 10/11/2011 | 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. HEAL will be participating and giving three presentations. HEAL will participate, and give 3 presentations in the sessions on HBM experiences in Europe; the workshop on HBM and Air Quality (Indoor & Outdoor); and the workshop on BPA, triclosan and parabens. For more information, please see the COPHES website, or contact Lisette@env-health.org. |
| 10/11/2011 | Submit Case Studies in Good Practice for Environmental Health of Children & Youth Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF ) toegether 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 the The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in cooperation with international organisations involved in the Health & Environment policy process. WECF and HEAL wish to hear from you on: How are Children & Youth working on environment and health issues in their schools, communities, sports associations and in policy processes? This follows up with the 5th Ministerial Health & Environment Conference in Parma, Italy, where Ministers of Health and Environment met and committed to increase engagement of children & youth in improving environmental health. Submit your case study to: karin.vohla@wecf.eu before Wednesday, 15th December 2011. Download submission information and concept form below. |
| 09/11/2011 | 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). 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. Containers aimed at children under three will have to be BPA-free by the beginning of 2013 and all products should be labelled to warn sensitive populations of the potential dangers of exposure to the substance. The ANSES report on the health effects of BPA was published 27 September 2011. Crucially, the Agency had studied a wide range of research papers instead of limiting its review to those produced under the so-called Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). The report highlights health effects that have been proven in animals and suspected in humans, even at low levels of exposure. These effects may also depend greatly on individuals being exposed during different phases of their development, which means that it may be possible to identify categories of people who are particularly vulnerable to bisphenol A. The Agency considers that it now has enough scientific evidence to prioritise the prevention of exposure of the most susceptible populations, such as infants, young children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. This objective entails reducing exposure to bisphenol A, mainly by replacing it in the food contact materials that are the main source of exposure of these populations. In this context, the Agency is submitting the findings of its work for consultation and has called for contributions to be submitted by the end of November 2011 on any relevant scientific data concerning, in particular the available substitutes and their safety and effectiveness. HEAL member organisation in France, Reseau Environnement Sante was widely congratulated for the huge contribution it has made to awareness raising on this issue, and in ensuring the attention of policy makers was given to important non-GLP studies. Read the press release from RES (in French). HEAL welcomed the decision of the French Assembly as an important step for health protection. Since no national ban can be kept in the long term without agreement at EU level, if the vote is upheld in the French Senate, the issue of BPA in food contact materials must now be dealt with at the European level. A spokesman for the European Commission said the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was currently studying ANSES’ report and that EFSA was expected to respond before the end of the year or by the beginning of 2012. |
| 09/11/2011 | 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. For the designated EU Year of Air 2013, HEAL and its members hope to see renewed political commitment at all levels to improve air quality for the benefit of European citizens, especially for the protection of those who are already suffering from bad air like asthma and allergy patients. HEAL and some of our members outlined priorities for the review process in a recent consultation, and there will be many more opportunities for the health community and citizens to give input in the coming months. We also continue to highlight the health benefits of cleaner air from an increased EU commitment to reducing GHG emissions, as part of our work on climate change and health (Read the Act NOW report for full details). We think this increased attention is also a key opportunity to tackle indoor air pollution. As Europeans spend most of their time indoors, their health and well-being is affected by many pollution sources in the indoor environment. EU legislation plays a major role for ensuring good indoor air, and there is an urgent need for an EU strategy on indoor air quality. HEAL therefore renews its call for an EU Green Paper on Indoor air quality, in order to comprehensively analyse the issues at stake and policy measures to take. Watch the HEAL interview for the European policy TV (EUX) on air quality following a recent stakeholder meeting. |
| 07/11/2011 | First-ever opportunity to comment on proposed ban of combined phthalates in products - by 12 December 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. Denmark proposed the ban due to their concern about the human exposure to these chemicals and their toxicity for reproduction (endocrine disruption; affect on testicular functions; disruption of sexual differentiation pre-birth). The proposed ban is for four phthalates, when one or more are present in articles intended for use indoors and articles that may come into direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes. Interested parties can see the documents and contribute comments (by scrolling to bottom of page) at: http://echa.europa.eu/reach/restriction/restrictions_under_consideration_en.asp We strongly encourage people to give comments, which can range from general (e.g. support of this proposed ban, and its combination scope); to comments on specific sections of the report (such as on the human and environmental hazards and risks), to giving data and assessments on exposure and impacts to health and the environment, such as human biomonitoring data, migration from articles, concentration in food, environment, indoor air, etc. HEAL will be submitting comments, and is interested to receive your input also. Please contact Lisette@env-health.org. Note: the public consultation finishes on 16 March 2012, but the Agency requests interested parties to comment by 12 December 2011, so that the committees can take up the comments in their first discussion in January 2012. |
| 07/11/2011 | 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. First, we are both signatory and promoting sign-up to the “Security and health statement”, which sets out the drastic consequences for health of climate change. On 17 October, leading doctors, security experts and non-governmental organizations including HEAL met in London at a conference on the health and security implications of climate change. As well as outlining the health impact, the meeting statement calls upon governments around the world to prioritise efforts to address the causes and impacts of climate change. It urges the European Union to unconditionally agree a target to cut emissions domestically by 30% by 2020, and to prepare further targets towards 2050 which would create incentives for a low-carbon transformation of the economy. Second, HEAL is organising a delegation for the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP17 meetings in Durban later this year. The event will be historic for health because it will include the first Global Climate and Health Summit, in which HEAL is a partner. This summit meeting aims to bring together key health sector actors to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and to find solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equity between and within nations. Find out more. This summit meeting aims to bring together key health sector actors to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and to find solutions that promote greater health, as well as economic equity between and within nations. Register for the event here. Thirdly, the Global Campaign for Climate Action, which continues to provide very powerful promotion of the work of non-governmental partners in the climate change process, has featured HEAL’s climate and health work in an interview with Genon Jensen, Executive director in the latest issue of tcktcktck newsletter. Read it here. |
| 07/11/2011 | 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. The EEHTF brings together representatives from Environment and Health ministries of the 53 WHO European region countries as well as stakeholders. Participants discussed ways to create a bigger place for environmental health in three current United Nations and other international processes, namely the UN Non-communicable diseases initiative, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations in Durban, and sustainable development in the run up to the Rio+20 conference and a list of priorities for the coming years. The evidence and policy options from different countries on addressing some of the persisting environment and health issues, such as ensuring access to safe water and sanitation and eliminating asbestos-related diseases were discussed. Countries also agreed to work closely on developing a set of progress indicators to see how well they are reaching the Parma time bound goals for a number of important children’s environmental health targets. These indicators will also support the new WHO European policy for health, Health 2020. HEAL, which is a full member of the EEHTF representing public interest and professional groups from the health community, provided interventions on a number of topics. We highlighted ways to better leverage the newly created European Environment and Health Ministerial Board and ensure that the yearly summits of the board are effectively linked to timely environmental health issues and policy issues, as well as increasing communication and tools for the EEHTF to promote environment and health issues in their spheres. Other HEAL interventions focused on: Making reduction of environmental exposures part of the chronic disease agenda Energy and health evidence, fracking and climate change opportunities Making health central to RIO+20 process Youth participation in the environment and health process The meeting also discussed the roles of the two bodies responsible for driving and implementing the WHO Environment and Health process in Europe (EEHP): the EHMB and the EEHTF. The European Environment and Health Ministerial Board (EHMB) is the political face and driving force of international policies for implementing Parma commitments and is currently composed of four health ministers and four environment ministers as well as intergovernmental organisations. The European Environment and Health Task Force (EEHTF) is the leading international body for implementing and monitoring EEHP and is comprised of officials from national environment and health structures in the 53 countries, as well as NGOs, IGOs and industry. |
| 19/10/2011 | 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. In the spirit of Wangari Maathai Ironically, Teresa Treacy, a 65 year-old woman sits a prison in an Irish jail as Wangari Maathai is laid to rest in her native country in Africa. She is considered a national and international hero. Wangari was the courageous woman who made international fame over 20 years ago through her peaceful but “illegal” attempts to halt the destruction of trees, forests and natural heritage for the sake of development in Kenya. Why did her subsequent imprisonments and abuse move so many people across the world and win her the Nobel Peace Prize? Because she stood up for what every one of us knows in our hearts is right. She was willing to sacrifice her life to protect one of Earth’s major living systems from the growing assault launched by a misguided perception of “development” and “economic growth”. She began the Green Belt Movement that spread worldwide to protect the environment and promote good governance and cultures of peace. The hope was that, among other things, women & men would no longer be threatened with imprisonment for protecting the Earth’s natural heritage. Now decades after her initial imprisonment, we have a courageous Irish woman languishing in Mountjoy Prison for protecting her own trees on her property, from assault. Teresa, who shares a farm with her sister in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, has spent many years planting and managing native Irish trees in order to maintain and improve the natural habitats that her land provides. But the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) intend to erect high voltage power lines over and across her land and she refuses to allow it. She did not agree to the large monetary compensation offered. Despite Wangari’s worldwide recognition, business remains as usual. This ever-increasing systematic attack on our planet’s natural resources and biodiversity is fundamentally disrupting the Earth’s capacity to maintain the dynamic and finely tuned balance that sustains life, as we know it. Around the world there are increasing numbers of international meetings trying to deal with the current global crises and the pending disasters they will cause. Taxpayers are paying for them to try to protect us from the fallout. Yet, the source of most of these crises is precisely to be found in the business as usual – unsustainable development that compromises future life, as we know it, on the planet. Our current global economic model is incapacitating Nature’s life supporting systems. This is not a question of evolution this is a question of a misguided perception which breeds greed, fear and conflict. Natural resources are dwindling. Drinking water is being abused at such a rate that it is becoming the next commodity for privatisation. The loss of species has become so extreme now that keystone species (species that play a critical role in sustaining an ecosystem, eg. bees) are under threat. Toxic chemicals and technologies that pollute water, air and soil are affecting human health on an unprecedented scale, (including cancers, chronic diseases/conditions and allergies). GM food crops now threaten Ireland’s ecosystems, our health, and food sovereignty. And recently, in Lough Allen and Clare Basin regions, there have been exploration licences granted for hydraulic fracturing or Fracking, one of the most destructive and polluting technologies developed to extract natural resources. Many people, including world leaders, now publicly say that the survival of the human race is at stake. The alarm bells are already ringing. What will it take for us to wake up and realize what we are doing? - Juliet Duff, Irish Doctors Environmental Association, IDEA |
| 19/10/2011 | 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). All eyes should now turn to the European scene where the EC institutions can not be distinguished by their proactive efforts on the issues of endocrine disruptors. For André Cicolella, spokesman for the RES, it is firstly the credibility of the European Food Safety Agency, EFSA, which is challenged: "EFSA can not continue to deny the reality of scientific knowledge and maintain a Acceptable Daily Intake, which does not consider hundreds of studies showing effects at low doses. If, this attitude should continue, the European institutions will have to seriously investigate the conduct and ethics of the expertise within the EFSA." "After the ban on BPA baby bottles and the pending adoption of a law banning three groups of endocrine disrupting chemicals (alkylphenols, phthalates and parabens), today's vote puts the French government in position and duty to change the position of the European Commission " comments RES campaigner Yannick Vicaire. "France should inspire the dynamic that is lacking at the European level by bringing together other member states to work towards an urgent global response to the issues of endocrine disruptors." Contrary to the claims of manufacturers, alternatives to BPA are already marketed. The RES has published a note on this issue [3]. In particular, a U.S. Eden Foods (http://www.edenfoods.com/) uses a BPA-free process since April 1999. In addition, the State of Connecticut has decided to ban BPA in food containers reusable in June 2010 and this measure came into force on 1 October 2011. This shows that the implementation can be done very quickly. The law adopted today by the Parliament is the first step in reducing exposure to BPA. It is urgent that the French agency, ANSES, identifies other sources, including food, likely to be priorities in terms of exposure for the general population or for specific professional sectors: medical equipment, musical instruments, thermal papers, coatings of water pipes or wine tanks, etc.. The ANSES also needs to better characterize the indirect environmental exposure, especially through food (fish and shellfish) or indoor air pollution. NOTES: [1] 2 votes against 348 votes cast on [2] The study of the Breast Cancer Fund has shown that a diet which eliminates "intentional" sources of BPA led within days to a reduction of more than half the level of BPA detected in urine. http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1003170 [3] Overview of the available alternatives to Bisphenol A in food contact materials http://reseau-environnement-sante.fr/?p=3019 Read official Press Statement (in French) at: http://reseau-environnement-sante.fr/ |
| 19/10/2011 | 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. The aim of the symposium was for considering the epidemiologic evidence required to support environmental and occupational cancer prevention policies. The role of scientists in governmental and non-governmental organizations was discussed, with particular emphasis on the REACH program in the EU and the recommendations of the President’s Cancer Panel in the US. Presentations also examined past approaches and future research needs to support protective public health policies. More details at: http://www.isee2011.org/files/Scientific%20Inference%20and%20public___.pdf |
| 19/10/2011 | 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. Specifically we voiced our concerns on the foreseen exemptions to the exclusion of hazardous biocides from authorisation, we demanded an alignment of rules for endocrine disruptors with those of the pesticides regulation, the inclusion of developmental neurotox and immunotox biocides in the candidates for substitution and that the new proposal adequately addresses emerging health challenges of biocides mixtures and nano biocides. A key point for the discussion will also be the rights of EU member states to decide on biocidal products approval on their territory, as well as to ensure that harmonised EU measures for the sustainable use of biocides are brought on their way. HEAL thinks the ENVI recommendations are a good basis for the upcoming negotiations and will continue to voice the environmental health concerns with both the European Parliament and Council. The adoption of the new law is foreseen for January 2012. View the full recommendations here |
| 19/10/2011 | 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. The sample collected in Belgium had high levels of nonylphenol compared to the other samples collected. Nonylphenol is a substance which is considered to be an endocrine disruptor because of its ability to mimic estrogen and in turn disrupt the natural balance of hormones in affected organisms. Nonylphenol has already been restricted in the EU but it is clearly still contaminating indoor environments. "This illustrates that REACH is not doing enough to ensure that chemicals which have already been restricted in the EU are kept out of our homes," Ms van Vliet added. Read full Press Statement here. |
| 19/10/2011 | 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. The HEAL team met with representatives of the Polish ministry of economy and the ministry of health. Representatives there welcomed the HEAL/HCWH report and underlined that the figures provided by the report are important as they are very helpful in communicating the health climate change issue. In the same week Pendo also gave a presentation on “Moving beyond 20%: Benefits and possibilities in the European Union”, at a conference held in Poznan on “Effectively and ecologically. Implementation of energy efficiency projects in healthcare.” More details on the conference at http://www.szpitalrawicz.pl/lcb-healthcare/conference. HEAL would like to thank the Secretariat of the Climate Coalition for the Polish Ecological Club Mazovian Branch, together with WWF Poland, CEE Bankwatch and others who also assisted in these meetings. Download Polish version of HEAL´s “Acting NOW for better health" Download joint Press Release on call for fewer carbon emissions |
| 19/10/2011 | 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. HEAL and its members are calling better health and environmental impact assessment and greater public consultation on fracking. The seminar also included a presentation by Francios Veillerete, President of Generation Futures (formerly MDRGF) who discussed the work in his latest book with Marine Jobet entitled La vraie scandale de gaz de schiste (The real scandal of shale gas). His concerns can be summed up as "the use of dangerous chemical substances, contamination of groundwater, consumption of a large amount of water, and destruction of the landscape.” View the press release about the seminar |
| 19/10/2011 | 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. The film also highlights the need for a new paradigm in the assessment of chemical risks that takes into account both low-dose and cocktail effects. It was shown in San Francisco on 18 October 2011. View invitation to HEAL screening with links to further information about the film here. |
| 19/10/2011 | 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. Genon Jensen, HEAL’s Executive director, described the basis for HEAL's position in an article published in a special issue of the European Parliament magazine (see page 58), which was distributed at the EU Health Forum, a major stakeholder conference which takes place in Gastein, Austria each year. The EP adopted a resolution on chronic diseases also urging the inclusion of environmental factors. HEAL's next step is to take this issue to the WHO European Environment and Health Task Force meeting end October 2011. Read HEAL's open letter to Commissioner Dalli Read HEAL's press release about bringing "environment" to UN chronic disease summit Read HEAL's fact sheet - Chronic disease and environment Read Open letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the World Health Organization Director General Dr Margaret Chan |
| 19/10/2011 | 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. On the evening of 6 Oct, we screened the first-ever English language version of the highly-acclaimed film Notre Poison quotidien” (Our Daily Poison) by leading investigative journalist and film maker Marie-Monique Robin, who afterwards answered questions from the floor. She told the meeting that one of the calls made by the film on chemical risk assessment had been taken up by the French agency, ANSES, which has recently taken into account studies other than those conforming with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), which are mainly industry studies. The next morning, a HEAL seminar on the health and environmental implications of shale gas fracturing included presentations by the European Commission; a case study from France and from HEAL and was followed by a discussion with members and other interested NGOs. The outcome was a call by HEAL for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in EU member states and urgent revisions to EU laws to protect public health. |
| 14/10/2011 | First Global 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 equity between and within nations. HEAL is one of the partners for the conference. For more information and to register click here. Venue: Tropicana Hotel (85 OR Tambo Parade, 4001 Durban) |
| 13/07/2011 | 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. In early July, the EP voted on the own-initiative report by Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout on “Moving beyond the 20% GHG emission reduction target”. While the vote in the EP’s Environment, Public Health and Food safety (ENVI) committee given some weeks earlier had supported the call for a 30% reductions target, this demand did not get the support from all MEPs in the plenary and the report was ultimately rejected. Meanwhile, a decision on the EU low-carbon 2050 roadmap by EU environment ministers showed there is still no majority for a move to -30% by 2020, even though many EU member states have expressed they are in support for it. 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. |
| 13/07/2011 | 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. Enter comments and learn more details here. |
| 13/07/2011 | 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. Some national mutual groups and societies that are members of AIM are already working on environment and health matters. For example, in France, the Mutuelle Familiale and the National Federation (Fédération Nationale de la Mutualité Française) have signed a partnership agreement with Réseau Santé Environnement (RES), a HEAL member organisation, to collaborate on environmental health projects. Additionally, a group of Belgian mutual societies have founded a working group on environmental health and produced a brochure on the subject for their members (in French, Dutch and English coming soon). View more details in HEAL’s Information Release. |
| 13/07/2011 | 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. The Belgian EU presidency in 2010 held several meetings on EU policy and indoor air quality, and the June indoor air quality expert group meeting has shown that indoor air pollution continues to be of great concern for the health community, EU member states and the European Commission DG SANCO. 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. The first EU Action Plan on Environment and Health (EHAP) has provided for a wealth of information on sources of indoor air pollution and health impacts through dedicated EU research funding; and projects are still ongoing. These and other results (for example the WHO indoor air quality guidelines) show that it is high time to establish an EU framework on indoor air quality and as a first step publish a Green Paper. |
| 13/07/2011 | 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. The comprehensive presentations and discussions confirmed that there is an urgent need for policy actions to make sure nanoparticles do not harm our health and environment. Many uncertainties on nanotechnology exist. To date, there is not even an international agreement on how “nano” is defined. Uncertainty also exists over the role of chronic, low-dose exposure of nanoparticles over a lifetime may be playing in certain diseases, or in impacting human reproduction. Experts agreed that research funding on health risk and safety aspects of nanotechnology should be increased significantly. HEAL believes that products with nanoparticles should only be allowed on the market when their safety for health+environment is proven, and products should be subject to comprehensive labelling. A DVD with all conference presentations and the discussions can be ordered through EUROPAEM: http://europaem.eu/1_about_academy.html |
| 13/07/2011 | 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. The debate focused on the the importance of the role of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) in tackling chronic diseases and inequalities in health. Given that the main drivers of inequalities in health lie outside the control of traditional health sector, full and meaningful participation from the non-health sectors such as agriculture, environment, employment, and social policy is needed. The debate aimed to raise constructive discussions and ideas for policies and instruments that create synergies between agriculture and public health for cross-sectorally beneficial trade-offs. For more information contact Dorota Sienkiewicz at dorota(at)epha.org or visit www.epha.org/a/4601. |
| 13/07/2011 | 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. View the video of presentation here: http://videos.senat.fr/video/videos/2011/video9100.html |
| 13/07/2011 | Stop + go: Phase out nuclear, promote renewables 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. The campaign also calls for urgently agreeing a long-term vision on replacing nuclear, and moving towards the goal of 100% renewables in 2015. Further information at www.nucleaire-stop.be |
| 13/07/2011 | 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. In the statement they say: “The daily intake level this additive is based on non published studies that are no longer accessible… ». Read more at www.lequotidiendumedecin.fr. |
| 13/07/2011 | 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 |
| 12/07/2011 | 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”". Nearly 100 groups from 22 European countries signed on to an Open Letter on Public Research should benefit Society, not Big Business to the European Commission, European Parliament and national governments. Many of HEAL’s members and partners supported this letter as well as the related Press Release. |
| 12/07/2011 | 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. 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. HEAL will be highlighting the health concerns surrounding shale gas at the meeting on 13th July on “Shale Gas Drilling and Underground Water - A Discussion” chaired by MEP Cristina Gutierrez-Cortines, President of the European Water Forum at the European Parliament in Brussels. The Industry, Research and Energy Committee of the European Parliament (ITRE) will also be holding a hearing on shale gas currently set for 5 October 2011 entitled "Prospects for shale gas in the EU" at the European Parliament in Brussels. Programme in development, visit the ITRE website for more details. |
| 12/07/2011 | 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, in Hugh’s blog he wrote: “It is absolutely clear that many delegates have somehow forgotten the urgency they profess to feel. We must find a way of communicating with them once again- hoping that passion may once again fuel politics.” View UNFCC Climate Change conference presentations and webcasts here. Looking ahead, an upcoming conference on "The Health and Security Perspectives of Climate Change - How to secure our future wellbeing is taking place on 17 October 2011 at the BMA House in London, UK. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is one of the partners for this conference which 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. As detailed on this conference’s website: “Climate change is the greatest current threat to public health. This is the view shared by Dr Margaret Chan, director general of WHO, and a growing number of the world’s health professionals. Less well known is the view of leading military experts - those working to prevent and manage conflicts around the world: that climate change is also the greatest future threat to security.” View programme and register for The Health and Security Perspectives of Climate Change conference at http://climatechange.bmj.com. |
| 30/06/2011 | 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 recommended that the use of wireless networks in the workplace or at home should be avoided, if possible. In order to reduce personal radiation exposure, it is better to remain with conventional cable-connected networks. Also in 2007, Sir William Stewart, chairman of the British Health Protection Agency expressed his concern about the increasing use of wireless internet. The BBC’s investigative programme Panorama found that wi-fi networks can give off three times as much signal radiation as phone masts. More information: German Federal Government warns against WLAN-use (French, German) Danger on the airwaves: Is the Wi-Fi revolution a health time bomb? (The Independent, 22/04/2007) Analysis of Health and Environmental Effects of Wi-Fi Networks, by Professor Magda Havas Panorama documentary: WiFi - a warning signal (YouTube) |
| 07/05/2011 | 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. During the 2010 Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health representatives of the 53 countries in the WHO European Region pledged to reduce environmental threats to health. To keep the process on track and ensure that pledges are met, the EHMB was established, and a work plan and working methods were discussed. Details of this information are not yet public. The new board consists of: • 4 Health ministers: France, Malta, Serbia, Slovenia • 4 Environment ministers: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Romania, Turkey • WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab • Executive Secretary of UNECE • Director UNEP Regional Office for Europe • Representative from the EU Commission. There is also a new European Environment and Health Task Force EHTF, of which HEAL, EcoForum and others are members. The EHTF will be the leading body for implementation and monitoring of the European environment and health process. The first meeting will be held in September, and we’ll keep you updated when we have more news. WHO Environment and health Steering the process Ministers push environment and health commitments forward |
| 07/05/2011 | Calling for safe regulation of hormone disrupting chemicals HEAL, alongside a coalition of 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… The groups’ call was announced at the same time as the leading US non-profit health group, The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), released a revised list of Potential Endocrine Disruptors. The list details some 800 chemicals, each one has verified citations to published, accessible, primary scientific research demonstrating effects on the endocrine system. The new list will continue to be updated as new studies are published and prior research is uncovered for endocrine disruptors not yet on the list. Position Paper TEDX List |
| 07/05/2011 | 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. The 22 chemicals are linked to cancer, diabetes, behavioural and attention deficit disorders, as well as impaired fertility. Many of these chemicals are commonly found in toys, food packaging, and cosmetics. This short list of chemicals is just a drop in the bucket and only focuses on an initial set which would fall under the REACH regulation. A much more extensive list of EDCs, some 800 substances, was released in May by the TEDx. - HEAL’s position on how EDCs or hormone disrupters should be regulated can be found in the joint position paper requirements for the proper regulation of hormone disruptors. Read the HEAL press release |
| 07/05/2011 | Experts gather to debate the future of EU noise policies On Wednesday 25th May, European and national policy makers, scientists, environment and 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 noise & health, road traffic noise and the future of EU noise policy. Anne Stauffer, Deputy Director of HEAL, closed the conference by emphasising that there is a continuous need for awareness raising of the health impacts of environmental noise and for further research, especially on combined effects of air pollution and noise. HEAL hopes that the new health evidence presented at the conference will be taken into account by policy makers in the upcoming decisions on EU vehicle noise and in the review of the EU Environmental Noise Directive. During the conference, Philippe Jean announced of the European Commission plan to tighten vehicle noise limits for cars, lorries and buses with a proposal expected before September 2011. HEAL and T&E welcomed the announcement but called for more ambitious standards, to reduce the impacts on health from traffic noise pollution. Philippe Jean, acting director of the European Commission’s Enterprise Department, told the conference that the Commission plans to cut noise emissions from cars by 4 decibels and from lorries by 3 decibels. The new limits would come into force within four years of a new Vehicle Noise Directive being agreed, he said. The conference’s second panel had three experts present the latest findings on the health impacts of environmental noise. Dr. Rokho Kim from the World Health Organisation WHO, Prof. Stephen Stansfeld from ENNAH, and Dr. Mette Sorensen from the Danish Institute for Cancer Epidemiology showed the numerous ways noise from transport and industry sources can impact adult’s and children’s health. The presentations made clear that environmental noise is a critical public health problem. On 6 July 2011, experts, researchers and policy makers will gather in Brussels to discuss specifically future research needs as part of the European Network on Noise and Health ENNAH final conference. View agenda and presentations here New publication - Quiet Please: Better health through strong EU regulation of road and rail traffic noise. |
| 07/05/2011 | Quiet please: The future of EU noise policies Organised by T&E, EEB and HEAL Wednesday 25th May, 13:00 - 18:00 European Economic and Social Committee Rue van Maerlant 2, Brussels Registration now closed - Available Presentations included below AGENDA 13:00 - Lunch 14:00 - Welcome T&E/EEB/HEAL and Luca Jahier, President, Civil Society Group, European Economic and Social Committee 14:00 - 15:00 - Panel 1: Policies for cost-effective road noise reduction Chair: Kathleen Van Brempt, MEP The forthcoming proposal for stricter vehicle noise standards: Philippe Jean, Director (acting), Internal market, DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission The Danish traffic noise reduction strategy: Brian Kristensen, Danish Environmental Protection Agency View from the regions: Piotr Gaudibert, External relations manager, BruitParif, Ile de France, Noise Observatory 15:00 - 16:00 - Panel 2: Health impacts from environmental noise Chair: Dr Miroslav Mikolášik, MEP Burden of disease from environmental noise: Dr Rok Ho Kim, WHO European Centre for Environment and Health View Presentation here Research needs for noise and health – the European Network for Noise and Health: Prof. Stephen Stansfeld, European Network on Noise and Health ENNAH View Presentation here Road traffic noise and cardiovascular health: Dr Mette Sørensen, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology View Presentation here 16:00 - 16:30 - Coffee break 16:30 - 17:30 - Panel 3: Managing environmental noise Chair: Michael Cramer, MEP The review of the environmental noise directive: Soledad Blanco, Director Sustainable Resources, DG Environment, European Commission Managing noise in the EU: current and upcoming challenges: Colin Nugent, European Environment Agency Managing noise at city level: Laura Zapata, Barcelona City Council View Presentation here 17:30 - Final discussion and concluding remarks Registration now closed |
| 19/04/2011 | HEAL produces 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. HEAL position paper – Preventing cancer through environmental policy change. Reducing exposure to environmental pollutants before birth and in childhood is particularly important because children’s bodies are more sensitive to damage. HEAL policy demands – Children’s health and the environment. Outlining the environmental health challenges for today’s children and listing required policy measures, including a global ban on mercury, changes in transport policy and deadlines and action plans to reduce chemicals exposure. Recent HEAL activity on environment and health: 3rd Paris Appeal International Congress; Children’s environment and health Health community puts environment first in cancer prevention – WHO Asturias Pledge Cancer and Environment Week 2010 Chemical Cocktails; harmful mixtures upset our hormones Chemicals Health Monitor "Sick of pesticides" campaign raises awareness of the health impacts of pesticides. |
| 19/04/2011 | 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. Paris Appeal congresses bring together the biggest group of international experts on how the environment affects health in Europe. The conclusions from these meetings are based on the very latest science. Such statements provide a solid foundation for advocates to push for better laws and pilot projects that show what needs to be done. Strong representation from the medical community at the congresses shows recognition of the need to see policy change. This year, about two thirds of participants were paediatricians and health professionals, including general practitioners, midwives and nurses. Participants also included scientists, politicians, and representatives of international and governmental organisations and non-governmental organisations. Thirteen members of HEAL took part (see photos here), and many were featured as speakers throughout the programme. Speakers from around the world addressed the links between exposure to environmental pollutants in children and in utero with worrying trends in the rise of cancer, developmental problems and congenital abnormalities, declining fertility in young men, high rates of asthma and allergy; exposures covered included carcinogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals, electromagnetic fields, GMOs, and mercury, heaving metals and solvents. Génon Jensen, Executive Director of the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) gave a presentation that highlighted HEAL's work in analysing, promoting and disseminating latest findings of health and environment research to policy makers and other important groups, and the policy successes. She provided pointers on how participants at the Congress could become involved in the work of HEAL. Genon also took part in a press conference on the first day of the Congress, which resulted in the article pasted below by Agence France Presse, France's biggest news agency. Accompanying documents: HEAL press release: Protect children by cutting exposure to harmful chemicals HEAL Briefing: Children’s health and the environment HEAL position paper: Preventing cancer through environmental policy change Paris Appeal Programme HEAL campaigns, projects and materials: Cancer and Environment Week 2010 Chemical Cocktails; harmful mixtures upset our hormones Chemicals Health Monitor "Sick of pesticides" campaign raises awareness of the health impacts of pesticides. |
| 19/03/2011 | 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 heard 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 report Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy. The hearing focused on greenhouse gas emissions reduction, with one panel dedicated to scientific assessment and carbon market analysis and another dedicated to climate policies from a business perspective and the benefits, including health. Genon Jensen, HEAL Executive Director, presented on the health co-benefits in the presence of the Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, MEP Jo Leinen (Socialists, Germany) and Chair of the Environment committee, a representative from WWF and others. The opportunities and challenges of moving beyond 20% greenhouse gas emission reductions, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Rapporteur: Bas Eickhout MEP. Agenda for the meeting. |
| 19/03/2011 | 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 with the launch of the Asturias Pledge. "Decreasing, and eventually eliminating the exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens is the most effective way to prevent a number of cancers," according to the World Health Organization in a press release following a meeting in Asturias, Spain, 17-18 March 2011. The Asturias 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. It also highlights the policy opportunities for reducing exposure. The pledge’s recognition of the importance of environmental and occupational exposures by medical and scientific experts and the WHO makes HEAL's call for specific EU and national targets - to reduce people’s exposure to cancer-related chemicals by half by 2020 - even more pertinent and urgent. HEAL is currently running a campaign to raise awareness of the links between cancer and the environment. We also aim to ensure that these links are fully recognised within the European Union’s chemicals laws and policies, such as REACH, pesticide and biocide legislation. |
| 19/02/2011 | 3rd Paris Appeal International Congress, 12 - 13 April 2011 Children’s health and the environment 12 - 13 April 2011 at UNESCO, 125 avenue de Suffren, 75015 Paris Organised by ARTAC, in partnership with HEAL and the International Society of Doctors for the Environment, under the technical support of WHO. Reducing rates of childhood cancer, congenital malformations, developmental problems, and asthma and allergies cannot be achieved without reducing exposure to certain chemicals. 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. HEAL believes that the 2011 congress focus on children’s health and environment will bring home the message to both policy-makers and the public about the urgency to act now. Paris Appeal congresses bring together the biggest group of international experts on how the environment affects health in Europe. The conclusions from these meetings are based on the very latest science. Such statements provide a solid foundation for advocates to push for better laws and pilot projects that show what needs to be done. Strong representation from the medical community at the congresses shows recognition of the need to see policy change. More than 250 scientists and medical professionals took part in the congress. Speakers from around the world addressed the links between exposure to environmental pollutants in children and in utero with worrying trends in cancer, developmental problems and congenital abnormalities, declining fertility in young men, and high rates of asthma and allergy. HEAL message: Protect children by cutting exposure to harmful chemicals HEAL's mission includes bringing latest science to EU and national politicians and raising awareness of the links between environmental factors and health among the medical and health community and the public. HEAL wants to see certain synthetic chemicals removed from the market and replaced with less harmful substitutes. Read the HEAL policy demands - Children's health and the environment Reducing exposure to environmental pollutants before birth and in childhood is particularly important because children's bodies are more sensitive to damage because they are growing. Read the HEAL position paper - Preventing cancer through environmental policy change |
| 07/01/2011 | 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. During a meeting of the environment council, EU environment ministers adopted a resolution that proposed some issues of focus for a second EHAP. These included translating science into policies, maintenance of a network and activities developed within the framework of the EU Environment and Health Strategy and its first EHAP, or taking up the priorities identified in the WHO Environment and Health Parma Declaration from March 2010 as well as nanomaterials, endocrine disruptors and chemicals mixtures. The resolution from environment ministers on the initiative of the Belgian Presidency of the EU, received wide-spread support from environment and health groups. In the past few months, the health and environment community, including researchers, has been advocating tirelessly with the European Commission and national environment and health ministries for a second EHAP, initially in the absence of any concrete steps from the European Commission to revive EHAP. In July 2010, representatives of the EU Open Health Forum, a large stakeholder and decision-maker gathering, supported the setting up of a 2nd EHAP. And in October, HEAL hosted a policy event during which the Belgian EU presidency re-iterated the call for a second EHAP in order to ensure environment and health concerns continue to receive EU policy priority. HEAL hopes that the Council resolution was the much needed push for all actors in the European Commission to start preparing a draft. HEAL's commitment to the call for a second EHAP reflects the concern of many NGOs, scientific networks and health groups, who see the EHAP as an opportunity for the EU to enhance its role in protecting health through environmental policy. HEAL will be working with representatives of the current Hungarian presidency ion their follow-up of a second EHAP. We shall also continue to call on the EU Commission for a proposal that can move the Council resolution and reflect the health and environment community’s concerns . |
| 07/12/2010 | 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”. During the launch Lisette van Vliet, HEAL’s Toxic Policy Advisor, asked the EU Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potocnik , if this new focus in the SOE reflected a potential re-newed push for creating a second EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP). Commissioner Potocnik’s answered that whilst he did not resist the creation of a second EHAP, limited resources in DG Environment necessitated focus on the Common Agriculture Policy and financial systems ahead of environment and health. However, he did go on to say that he would discuss that matter with the Commissioner for Health, John Dalli, to establish a way forward. The current EHAP, which runs out at the end of this year, provided powerful evidence of the significance of environmental impacts on human health. HEAL and our members continue to call for a second EHAP. I, in October we hosted a policy event to discuss the future of the EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP). We have worked closely with the Belgian Presidency of the EU to establish different methods for continuing the EHAP, we look forward to working with the incoming Hungarian Presidency to help further this work. |
| 07/12/2010 | HEAL at CANCUN: Putting health at the centre of global climate talks EU health delegation at UNFCCC COP 16, CANCUN, MEXICO (29 November - 5 December 2010) 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. The HEAL delegation at Cancun brought together high level medical professionals to bring the voice of the health community into the negotiations. Our delegation sought to highlight that reducing greenhouse gasses is good for the climate, national economies and peoples’ health. Findings from our report, Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy were presented at a key World Health Organization meeting in Cancun and used extensively in health policy discussions during the talks. Two European Commissioners are now known to support the report. When our delegation met with Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, she said she knew and liked it very much and, during a meeting with MEP Jo Leinen in Cancun, we learnt that Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnikc made reference to the report in one of their meetings! After two weeks of negotiations in Cancun, it seems that global leaders finally formed an agreement which takes significant steps towards a safer climate. Whilst there is no deal yet and much work still to do, hopefully these discussions will form the foundations of an agreement to be at the next Conference of parties held in Durban next year. Our climate and health partners in Cancun included Health Care Without Harm, the Climate and Health Council, Standing Committee Of European Doctors, International Society of Doctors for the Environment and the International Federation of Medical Students, as well as a very strong presence from the World Health Organization. HEAL’s health delegation activities in Cancun: FRIDAY, 10TH DECEMBER Climate Change TV: Hugh Montgomery of University College London gives his thoughts on the COP16 Climate Talks and the relationship between climate and health. THURSDAY, 9TH DECEMBER Climate Change TV Michael Wilks, former President of the Standing Committee of European Doctors and Pendo Maro, Senior Climate and Energy Advisor at HEAL and Health Care Without Harm talk about how investment in reducing greenhouse gases produces immediate and lasting benefits to health. WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER Health delegation letter to UNFCCC National focal points and the EU MEP delegation. Signed by HEAL, HCWH and Climate and Health Council, the letter highlighted the numerous benefits to health (and healthcare costs) which mitigation polices will bring. Read the letter here: What’s good for climate change is good for health AND the economy Michael Wilks: BMJ blog – Climate change and health – time for a new narrative. Dr. Michael Wilks, an integral part of HEAL’s health delegation at Cancun writes an article for the British Medical Journal’s blog. “What those of us at Cancún are trying to do is to emphasise a benefit of action to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) – a “co-benefit” that improves health and reduces healthcare costs...” TUESDAY 7TH DECEMBER HEAL launched new country figures showing massive health benefits from higher climate change targets. On the back of our ground-breaking report, Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy, which includes figures on health benefits for Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, HEAL released new figures for Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary , Portugal, Romania and Slovakia. Health and Fiscal Co-benefits of Emissions Reductions: Summary for Negotiators. HEAL, the Climate and Health Council and Health Care Without Harm Europe, presented a one page briefing for negotiators on climate in Cancun which outlines the health and fiscal co-benefits of carbon emissions reductions. Lyn Wilson (SeaTrust International) and Pastor Peters Omoragbon (Nurses Across Borders) discuss the Health Coalition coming out of Copenhagen. Their mandate is to reach out to all professionals working in the industry to look at how climate change in impacting health. Watch the interview... CPME Press release: The medical profession urges to focus on sustainable prophylactic policies to secure global health. MONDAY 6TH DECEMBER Health Day at Cancun – Time to Act is Now. HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe released the Climate and Health Statement at a World Health Organization side-event meeting. Dr. Michael Wilks, part of HEAL’s EU delegation, presented the Statement to delegates. Cancun Health Statement: Climate Change and Health, The Time to Act is Now Signed by Leaders from international medical and health organisations, the Statement asks negotiators to take into account the significant health concerns and to recognise that reducing greenhouse gasses is not only good for the climate but also for peoples' health and national economies. - Message to Negotiators at Cancun: Health Day at COP16 - Doctors say: Don’t Forget the Health Dividend - Message to EU delegation: Don’t forget the health dividend Article in the ECO NGO Newsletter at Cancun - "...climate checkup from medical community tells us about the benefits of addressing our emissions addictions". MEDIA COVERAGE Health day at Cancun gave us an excellent opportunity for further media promotion. The new country findings that accompany our September report Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy were picked up in many EU member states including Hungary (thanks to HEAL member, the Clean Air Action Group) where it featured in four national news sites and widely on NGO websites, Bulgaria with a article in the leading weekly paper Capital covering our report, and a German medical publication. Other media coverage included: The Lancet – Could health finance climate change mitigation? Live Science: Climate Change Talks Should Include Health Effects WHO – World Health Organization, Jumo OTHER NEWS FROM THE HEALTH COMMUNITY: International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA) Blog: ifmsa.wordpress.com UNFCCC Youth Delegation – The health perspective – courtesy of Sudhvir Singh ABC live: WHO Proposes COP16 to Make Adoption Funds with Public Health Package New Report: the Climate Vulnerability Monitor indicates that there could be 5 million climate deaths by 2020, which increased the pressure on the delegates. The Climate Vulnerability Monitor is the first definitive study on the impacts of climate change on human health. It was produced by DARA a leading humanitarian research organisation in conjunction with the Climate Vulnerability Forum (CVF). New report: Acting NOW for better health: A 30% reduction target for EU climate policy. The HEAL and HCWH report, released in September 2010, quantifies the health benefits for Europeans of stronger EU action on climate change for both the EU and different Member States. It reframes the current discussions from climate costs to climate benefits, particularly for people’s health and healthcare systems. HEAL has been working on climate and health issues since 2007 – visit our climate and health resources section. Campaign Postcard: What's good for climate is good for health. |
| 07/11/2010 | HEAL Annual General Assembly; five new members and a new Executive Committee! HEAL Annual General Assembly: 5 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. HEAL Members voted a new Executive Committee for a two-year mandate (20010-2012). We welcome two new members to the Committee, Valerie Xhonneux from Inter Environnement Wallonie (Belgium) and André Cicolella, Réseau Environnement Santé (France). The Annual General Assembly also thanked Henriette Christiansen from the Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN EU) and Tamara Steger, Association for Environmental Health (Hungary), who were not running again for Executive Committee, for their hard work and commitment over the past two years. The new committee is a truly international body of Health and Environment experts. The new HEAL Executive Committee is as follows: Name Organisation Marie Christine Dewolf (HEAL President) Hygiène Publique en Hainaut (Belgium) Peter van den Hazel (Vice-President) International Network for Children's Health, Environment and Safety (the Netherlands) Dave Stone (Treasurer) Natural England (UK) Dr. Peter Ohnsorge European Academy of Environmental Medicine (Germany) André Cicolella Réseau Environnement Santé (France) Monika Kosinska European Public Health Alliance (Belgium) Valérie Xhonneux Inter-Environnement Wallonie (Belgium) Members’ Corner The Members’ corner, a HEAL interactive session, aimed to enable members to highlight their upcoming work, campaigns, to discover what others are doing and to find synergies for future work. HEAL membership includes a diverse network of European, International, and National organisations as well as academic institutions - each focusing on a diversity of policy areas, ranging for environment & health, air quality, sustainable development , children’s health, pesticides, chemicals, etc. We thank members for the lively session, it was the best yet!. Approval of new Members Application HEAL is excited to welcome five new members from Hungary, France, Armenia and the Netherlands. Find out more about these groups and their issues here: Clean Air Action Group (Hungary) Women for Green Way for Generations (Armenia) Committee for Sustainable Development in Health (France) Own Cross roads Foundation Vereniging Stedelijk Leefmilieu Groen – en Milieubeheer (Netherlands) |
| 07/11/2010 | 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 & 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. 2010 marks the end of the first Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP 2004-2010). The current EHAP has added immense value in ensuring more targeted research on environmental impacts and health outcomes. There are many reasons why a 2nd Action Plan is needed, one being that such a plan would ensure the translation of this research for new or revised environmental policies. The EU's sixth research framework programme, guided by the first EHAP, provided approximately 200 million Euros for environment and health projects (2002-2006). Investment continues in the current seventh programme with important results expected to guide policy change over the next years. For example, the ESCAPE project on air pollution will provide answers in 2012 on how poor air quality affects respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer. The findings could be used to improve air quality controls. The session started with Catherine Bouland from the Institut Bruxellois pour la Gestion de l’Environnement (IBGE) speaking on behalf of the Belgian Presidency of the EU, giving an overview of the Belgian EU Presidency Initiative on the preparation and development for a 2nd EHAP. During the Belgian Presidency several high-level events are being organized on environment and health. The foundations and results of these events will be used as a foundation to support European Council decisions regarding a second EHAP. Genon Jensen and Catherine Bouland host the first session In June, the Belgian Federal Minister for Environment published a study on The EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP) – Assessment and Outlook for Future Action, which was written by HEAL. The document sets out the policy and research background for many environment and health themes, which will be discussed during the Presidency events. Developing a coordinated EU approach to Human Biomonitoring is one of the goals of the current EHAP. Ludwine Casteleyn from the University of Leuven presented the activitities of the EU COPHES project on human biomonitoring. A 2nd EHAP would ensure the continuation of this initiative and also could be the framework for linking biomonitoring to policy files such as REACH. Participants also discussed recent developments within the insurers fields. Chronic diseases are rising in Europe, and at least part of this epidemic is linked to environmental factors. Insurers are getting increasingly concerned about these environmental health links. In June, the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) issued a declaration on the need for action. Andre Cilocella from the French Reseau Environnement Sante presented his collaboration with the French mutualities. The first EHAP provided powerful evidence of the significance of environmental impacts on human health. A second EHAP is necessary to maintain momentum and ensure that progressive policies are created – which can also help the materialisation of the Europe 2020 strategy. |
| 07/11/2010 | 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. HEAL and PAN Europe are calling on EU Health Commissioner John Dalli to take a more pro-active role in protecting citizens from pesticide exposure. ”Health impacts from pesticides are a major public health issue: both the cocktail effect of pesticides to which we are exposed and possible long-term effects. But we can reduce exposure now," says Anne Stauffer, Policy Manager, Health and Environment Alliance. |
| 07/11/2010 | 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. "It is a step in the right direction," says Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Policy Advisor at HEAL. "But this only relates to baby bottles. The ban should be for ALL food packaging for infants under three years old - and it should quickly be extended to all food packaging because, if babies during pregnancy are to be protected, consumption by women of child-bearing age should be avoided." With growing evidence that BPA may play a role in major chronic diseases, such as breast cancer and diabetes, reducing levels of human exposure is a necessary and important step. The exposure of the developing foetus in the womb warrants particular attention because BPA can cross the placenta. Press releases: 26/11/2010 Health and Environment NGOs comment on Bisphenol A ban 26/11/2010 Addressing the "missing link" in cancer prevention 22/11/2010 Commission confirms intentions on BPA 30/09/2010 European food panel fails to protect EU citizen’s health from plastic component, BPA |
| 07/11/2010 | "Toxic menu" launches cancer and environment campaign in France Générations Futures (formerly MDRGF) and HEAL revealed results of tests on typical children’s 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 children’s daily diet, and the chemical cocktail to which they are exposed from food alone. The findings showed 128 trace elements representing 81 different chemical substances. These substances included 36 different pesticides and 47 suspected carcinogens. Given that one in every two men and one in every three women in France will develop cancer during their lifetime, the first step in this new campaign was an effort to establish exposure, via food intake, to substances suspected to be cancer-causing. The campaign's aim is to raise citizen and public authority awareness of the important role played by environmental risk factors among the causes of cancer. It is also intended to encourage action leading to necessary policy changes. The release of the findings at a press conference prompted huge media coverage, including a one-page article in France's leading newspaper Le Monde as well as coverage in the major dailies, television and trade press. Articles also appeared in medical publications with large readership among doctors and health professionals. Générations Futures say that since starting to work on food and chemical contamination, notably pesticides, they have received a stream of questions about "real" levels of exposure via food: "How many different substances are we exposed to each day?", "Which types of chemicals?", "Are the minimum levels set by the authorities respected?", and "How many suspected carcinogens and EDCs are we exposed to on a daily basis?" Surveys show that: • 80% of people in France are worried about pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables and cereals • 80% are anxious about pollutants in fish and meat • Almost half of all French people believe that public authorities of the European Union do not take sufficient action to protect consumers from this risk. Even though for each substance taken on its own the acceptable levels were respected, the food products contained a large number of different molecules which are suspected to have cancer-causing properties and/or could disturb the endocrine (hormone) system. In view of the results, the message is that we should ask those responsible to find a way to substantially reduce our exposure, notably through food intake, to suspected carcinogens and to EDCs. This objective is attainable. For a number of the substances, substitutes already exist. Pesticides and additives can be eliminated through organic agriculture and food production. A joint Générations Futures and HEAL Cyberaction was also launched. Within two weeks, more than 5,000 supporters have sent letters to the French government asking for 1. A real environmental risk factor section to be included in the 2nd Cancer Plan in France 2. The precautionary principles to be put into practice, especially in relation to possible carcinogens (CMR3) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) 3. Firm action to be put in place for the immediate substitution of substances known to be carcinogenic and not simply a reduction in their emissions. Take part in this Cyberaction at www.environnement-et-cancer.com and www.cyberacteurs.org |
| 07/11/2010 | 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. • 29th NOVEMBER MEPs to be urged to address "missing link" in fight against cancer Cancer survivors and health groups want European leaders to improve environmental policy that could hold down rising incidence rates. At a debate in the European Parliament organised by HEAL on Monday 29th November, Sandra Steingraber - a scientist, cancer survivor and author of Living Downstream talked about the ways in which environmental policy can tackle the links between exposure to environmental pollutants and cancer, and lessons were exchanged on regulatory responses. Sandra Steingraber says that although scientists are well aware of the role environmental factors are playing in cancer, the public and politicians are not yet sufficiently aware. "The disconnect between what we in the scientific community know and what patients are told is huge," she told MEPs, health, environment and patient groups, and scientists in a debate illustrated with excerpts from her new film, Living Downstream. She sees her role as helping to close that gap. The session was introduced by Sirpa Pietikainen MEP who spoke about the need to bringing environmental factors into the cancer debate. The panel also heard from Viorica Cursaru, Myeloma Euronet, European Cancer Patients’ Coalition (ECPC) who discussed the situation in Romania, as an example of an EU country where the government is not yet ensuring that minimum EU standards for health and environment are being met. She linked this observation to cancer rates. At the end of her presentation, Sandra Steingraber called on participants to join a worldwide health and environment movement made up of "carcinogen abolitionists". Genon Jensen, HEAL’s Executive Director, added that the movement in Europe aims to phase out not only the chemicals that are "carcinogens" but also the endocrine disrupting chemicals that act as a contributory factor in triggering cancer, and other health disorders. HEAL joined forces with the European Cancer Patients Coalition and Forum Against Cancer Europe to organise this event. The aim is to raise awareness and highlight prevention opportunities in EU environmental policies. The partnership helped to bring the message and advocacy opportunity to over three-hundred national cancer groups within the EU. In preparation, cancer groups compiled ‘Environment and Cancer testimonies’, which provide a snapshot of various patients’ groups’ concerns and priorities for action on environmental prevention by member states and the EU. The testimonies show that cancer patients are increasingly concerned about chemicals in our environment, and want the environment cleaned up to help them avoid a recurrence. For example, a Belgium patient notes that many farmers in his neighbourhood are still using forbidden pesticides. These concerns reflect public opinion surveys findings in the EU. A recent Eurobarometer shows that pesticide residues in food are a number one worry for 72% of EU consumers, a higher percentage than in 2005. • 30th NOVEMBER Workshop: 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 plans for pesticide reduction. The meeting particularly focused on the core campaign countries of the UK, France, Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands. European 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. The well-attended screening was hosted in Mundo B, Brussels in collaboration with Friends of the Earth Europe and CEE Bankwatch. The film is available to order on Sandra’s website. If you are interested in hosting a screening please do get in touch, the film is available to public interest organisations to use in education and awareness-raising. There will also be a community guide, which HEAL is contributing to, to help non-profit organisations, labour unions, medical professionals, community groups, and grassroots activists to use the film in a variety of ways in their work. Watch the Living Downstream trailer . • 1st DECEMBER "Toxic menu" press conference launches 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. Read more... Film screening to European Commission’s cancer support group HEAL also organised a screening of the Living Downstream film for the European Commission’s cancer support group. The Cancer Support group is for people working in the European Commission whose lives have been touched by cancer. Sandra Steingraber joined us again to introduce the film, and discuss questions with participants after the screening. The discussion explored particularly chemicals in water and safe drinking sources. Accompanying documentation: European Parliament event: Agenda European Parliament event: Biographies of speakers Questions on cancer and the environment Levels of cancer incidence growth in the EU Food-related risks, Special Eurobarometer 354, November 2010 Press coverage: 01 December 2010 - The Ecologist, CAMPAIGN PROFILE: Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) 01 December 2010 - The Ecologist, Sandra Steingraber: There's a taboo about telling industry and agriculture that practices must change to prevent cancer 30 November 2010 - The European Parliament magazine, EU urged to protect citizens from 'cancer-causing pollutants' |
| 07/10/2010 | 5th October Policy Event: EU Action on Environment and Health As a part of HEAL's 2010 Annual General Assembly, we will host a Policy Event to dicuss EU Action on Environment and Health and perspectives for a 2nd Environment and Health Action Plan. The goal of the discussion is to reflect on the political context for current and future environment and health work and highlight policy opportunities for taking the environment and health agenda forward. The event will be held in the HEAL offices - Boulevard Charlemagne 28, 1000 Brussels - on 5 October 2010, 14:30 – 17:00. Please note, this event is by invitation only The programme is as follows: Policy Event: EU Action on Environment and Health: Perspectives for a 2nd Environment and Health Action Plan 14:30 Welcome, Marie Christine Dewolf, HEAL President 14:30 Introductory Speeches by the EU Institutions. Chair: Genon Jensen, HEAL Executive Director Catherine Bouland, Institut Bruxellois pour la Gestion de L’Environnement IBGE, Belgian EU Presidency Frédérique Ries, Member of the European Parliament, EP rapporteur for the 1st EHAP (tbc) 15:15 Making the case for added-value of environment and health action at EU level. Chair: David Stone, Natural England Environment and Health: Perspectives for the 7th EAP, John Hontelez, Director, European Environmental Bureau EEB EHAP and COPHES: on the way to EU human biomonitoring, Ludwine Casteleyn, University of Leuven Environment and Health and prevention opportunities: the view from health insurers, Elodie Hemery, Association Internationale de la Mutualite 16:00 Questions and Discussion 16:30 Conclusions and Way forward |
| 07/10/2010 | HEAL Team run for Clean air on Global Climate Action Day in EU capital! Ahead of a crucial air quality debate due to take 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. The ‘Run for Clean Air! Everywhere’ organised by EEB and part of the wider event of the Brussels Marathon involved citizens from all over Europe. By running in the European capital participants called on decision makers to take action now and ensure they can live, and run, in clean cities. EU Commissioners will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the fate of the National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive – which could contribute to better air quality in Europe. The much-needed revision of the Directive has been postponed since 2007, which is particularly bad news for the health of children and those suffering from respiratory diseases. Air pollution is known to increase respiratory problems and diseases, such as asthma. In order to reduce the burden of disease and death caused by air pollution, action is needed now. (See HEAL and EEB press release sent out in July). The reasons for the delay of the revision are unclear. Air pollutants are estimated to cause close to half a million premature deaths each year as well as severe damage to the environment through its climate impacts, acidification of water and soils, and ozone layer damage. Studies available on the Commission’s own website show that the benefits of a revised NEC Directive to health, environment and the economy will significantly outweigh the costs involved. Air quality would also benefit as a side-effect of more ambitious EU policy to mitigate climate change. For example, our recent report, Acting now for better health: A 30% target for EU climate policy, demonstrates that cleaner energy and cleaner air, associated with an immediate move to 30% domestic cuts in greenhouse gases by 2020, would go a long way to paying for itself in better health through Europe. |
| 07/10/2010 | HEAL hosts European film premiere: Living Downstream 29th & 30th November HEAL will host a series of screenings of the groundbreaking film, Living Downstream followed by policy discussions on cancer and environment. HEAL is really pleased to be able to bring this film to Europe, we hope you can join us. Monday, 29th November. A screening of excerpts from the film and science-to-policy discussion 19.30 - 21.30. Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels Sponsored by Sirpa Pietikainen & Petru Luhan, MEPs Living Downstream presentation: Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. discusses her work to break the silence about cancer and its environmental links, and presents the new documentary film ‘Living Downstream’, based on her acclaimed book of her struggles with cancer and her environmental research. Panel Discussion: How can the EU better address the latest science with policies for the ‘environmental prevention’ of cancer? • Dr Andrew Watterson, Head, Occupational & Environmental Health Research Group, University of Stirling, Scotland, U.K. • Viorica Cursaru, Myeloma Euronet, European Cancer Patients’ Coalition. (ECPC) • Genon Jensen, Director, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) This will take place in collaboration with the European Cancer Patient Coalition and Forum against Cancer Europe and is by invitation only. Tuesday 30 November – 18.00 - 20.30, Mundo-B, Rue d'Edinbourg 26, Brussels Premiere Screening, followed by a discussion session with Sandra Steingraber. After the film, please join us for a discussion, food & drink. This event is open to the public- to reserve a place, please contact joelle. Download the poster here Here's a sneak preview of what's in store: “Once there was a village overlooking a beautiful river. The people who lived there were very kind. These residents, according to the parable, began noticing increasing numbers of drowning people caught in the river’s swift current. And so they went to work devising ever more elaborate technologies to resuscitate them. So preoccupied were these heroic villagers with rescue and treatment that they never thought to look upstream to see why the victims were falling in. Living Downstream is a walk up that river. The river of human cancer.” Read more about Living Downstream |
| 07/09/2010 | 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 . The report provides the first-ever estimates of the health savings for different Member States should the European Union move from the current 20% target to a 30% target on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For the EU as a whole, the anticipated health benefits could be as high as 30.5 billion Euros annually by 2020. We hope that EU decision-makers in the Council and the European Parliament will take this health message on board in their preparations for the next UN Climate Summit in Cancun. Our new report blew up quite a storm among political and medical leaders. There is interest from the European Parliament to raise the issue in the Environment Committee and the Climate Advisor to the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), Dr Michael Wilks was quoted supporting the report in a front-page article in the EU Observer. Several experts at the World Health Organization sent messages of interest, and Dr Hugh Montgomery, a UK professor and expert in health and climate change, sent a copy of the report to the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron. Media coverage was equally encouraging. As EU policy makers arrived at Schumann they were handed a copy of Metro newspaper containing an article about the report, and leading national news agencies in five of our target countries wrote stories. An article in the influential New York Times Green Blog sparked interest from bloggers around the world. You can see the full media coverage here |
| 07/09/2010 | Following up from Parma: the next steps in 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. At the Parma Ministerial conference, member states of the WHO European Region agreed on a new institutional framework for the Environment and Health process. This includes the the creation of a new European Environment and Health Ministerial Board with eight members, which takes the E&H work to a new level. The four representatives from the health side - France, Malta, Serbia and Slovenia - were elected in Moscow. The election of the four environment representatives will be followed in the next weeks. HEAL welcomes the creation of the Board that will meet annually, as it has the potential to bring more political weight to pressing environment and health issues. However, we urge WHO European region countries to give civil society a clear voice through granting observer status in this new decision-making body. The exclusion of the concerns of the public, and in particular vulnerable groups, could jeopardise the validity of this valuable new body. Read the statement from HEAL, ECO Forum |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 oxides (NOx). Only 16 expect to achieve their respective NOx ceilings, with road transport bearing most of the blame. The NEC Directive sets pollutant-specific and legally binding emission limits for four main air pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and ammonia (NH3). These pollutants are known to damage both human health and the environment. They add to the formation of ozone and particulate matter and lead to acidification and increase in the concentration of chemical nutrients in an ecosystem. The health and environment community have long warned of dangers to health from airborne particles emitted mainly by industry, traffic and domestic heating as many are linked to asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. Member States have to step up their efforts to meet the NEC Directive’s ceilings by this year in order to deliver the agreed health and environmental benefits. Several Member States, including Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom, expect to exceed their respective NOx ceilings by less than 5 %. In contrast, France and Spain expect to exceed their ceilings by 261 kilotonnes and 236 kilotonnes respectively — equivalent to surpluses of 32 % and 28 %. Other countries, expecting lower surpluses in absolute terms, would exceed their limits by even larger margins, notably Austria (42 %), Belgium (43 %) and Ireland (47 %). This report could hardly have been more timely, as only last month (May) the European Commission sent a final warning to Italy over levels of fine particle pollution. Italy have failed to comply with EU air quality standards for PM10, this breach has lead the European Commission is pursuing legal action. A second and final written warning has been sent to Italy for exceeding the limit values for PM10 in many zones or agglomerations across the country. EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "Air pollution continues to cause more than 350,000 premature deaths in Europe each year. There are still too many places in in Italy where, for every 10,000 inhabitants, more than 15 people die prematurely due to particulate matter alone. Member States must continue to take the matter of EU air quality standards seriously and take the action needed to reduce emissions". Read the full press release from the Commission here. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 populations affected by poor air quality. Papers will address vulnerable groups, such as children and pregnant mothers; asthma and respiratory disease, high blood pressure and cardio-vascular disease; mortality and cancer amongst other conditions. The overall strategy is to take advantage of health data from European cohort studies. HEAL took part in the meeting to provide an introduction to its potential support for the promotion and dissemination of the ESCAPE project findings to policy makers, patients' groups, health and environment organisations and others. Dr Michal Krzyzanowski, Regional Adviser, Air Quality, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe told the meeting that he considered dissemination to policy makers to be a significant and important task. "The timing of these findings will be good for policy developments on air quality, which makes the dissemination work very worthwhile," he said. The ESCAPE newsletter is available on the website at www.escapeproject.eu |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 Italy a final written warning. If Italy fails to take the necessary compliance measures, the Commission could refer the case to the European Court of Justice. HEAL’s ACTION ON AIR QUALITY This year HEAL and partner organisation the European Federation of Asthma and Allergy Association (EFA) have expanded the KnowYourAirForHealth website, from English and Finnish to Czech, French and Italian. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Write to EU Environment Commissioner Potocnik to express your concern about the delay of EU action on Air quality. For more details contact anne@env-health.org. Visit the KnowYourAirForHealth site and find out latest information on national and local air pollution. www.KnowYourAirForHealth.org. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 higher than that of a 20% reduction, the Communication highlights that the cross-sector benefits would be substantial. These "co-benefits" are mainly presented in economic terms, but there is some acknowledgment of the wider socio-environmental gains – such as protection of ecosytems and public health. The environment and health community has welcomed the Commission’s analysis, as it clearly demonstrates that the reduction of carbon emissions will lead to stronger reductions of other hazardous air pollutants. HEAL, alongside other health and environment professionals, have long advocated that as a significant reduction in CO2 emissions would dramatically limit the impacts on health, and could save between an estimated 3.5 and 7 billion. Prior to the release of the Communication, the Climate Action Network held a press conference to emphasise the advantages of a 30% emissions reduction. Dr. Pendo Maro, HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Climate and Energy Policy Office was present to answer specific questions on health benefits of emission reductions and how industry puts profits above health. Pendo’s statement is attached below. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 its October 2010 meeting. It also welcomed the Commission’s intention to conduct more detailed analysis on the policy options and cost benefit specifically at Member States level. On 17th -8th June Heads of States and government discussed, among other issues, climate change and the 30% Communication. No formal adoption of the Communication was expected, but like the Environment Council, the Heads of States took note of the Communication and postponed further discussion on climate change to the autumn, before Cancun. HEAL and HCWHE had sent letters to Heads of State prior to the Council meeting with a similar message to the letter to Environment Ministers. July 1 start of Belgian Presidency of the EU. The Belgian Presidency will lead EU’s discussion on climate change in the autumn and also leading up to Cancun. We will follow the Presidency agenda on this and keep you informed. HEAL ACTION ON CLIMATE & HEALTH Prior to the Environment Council meeting,HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe sent a letter to EU Environment Ministers urging them to acknowledge the Communication findings on benefits to health and employment. We highlighted the health benefits of an EU move to 30% emission reduction from the HEAL CAN WWF 2008 report. HEAL and HCWHE had sent letters to Heads of State prior to the Council meeting with a similar message to the letter to Environment Ministers. On 20th May civil society held a Press Briefing to present their perspective on the European Commission’s 30% Communication; with the aim to debunk industry claims. HEAL’s Climate and Energy Policy Office, Pendo Maro, contributed. Read more… 15th June The Green 10 wrote a letter to Mr Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council prior to the meeting of Heads and State and Government. Stepping up the EU’s climate ambition could be a green way out of Europe’s economic blues WHAT CAN YOU DO? Are you working in climate and health? As our work on the health impacts of climate change expands, we would be interested in hearing from you if you are working in this field. We would be particularly interested in hearing from members or other public interest groups in the our key target countries: France, Germany, UK, Poland and Italy. Please do get in touch, pendo@env-health.org. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 MEPs to urge them to strengthen the Commission’s proposal on biocides for better health and environment protection. • 05/2010 To: IMCO committee. NGO recommendations in view of the considerations in the ENVI-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocide regulation (COM 267) • 04/2010 To: ENVI committee. NGO recommendations in view of the considerations in the ENVI-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocide regulation (COM 267) HEAL, PAN Germany and EEB issued a press release after the ENVI vote. HEAL welcomed the improvements brought by the Environment Committee, particularly in recognising the need to better protect vulnerable groups, and better assessment of the cumulative effects of biocides. However, concerns about remaining loopholes and questions in the proposal were also flagged up. HEAL contributed to the consultation on the UK’s National Pesticide Action Plan, and advocated its support for pesticide-free areas - such as schools, nurseries and residential areas. The Sick of Pesticides Campaign is also featured in PAN Europe’s new publication on National Action Plans. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Contact your MEP HEAL in collaboration with other NGOs will carry out a thorough assessment of the ENVI vote. We will then provide information about our concerns that you bring to your MEP prior to the EP plenary vote (in September). What’s happening in your country with National pesticide action plans? As HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides campaigns gathers momentum across the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary, we’re keen to hear about the preparations and discussions in your country on the National pesticide action plans. Please keep us posted and find out how HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides campaign can support your activities – you can email anne@env-health.org. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 proposal. "Combination effects" of exposure to biocides must be included in their risk assessment. Requirements on specific safety assessment methods, and consumer information through mandatory labelling of nanomaterials. Continuing concerns NGOs were concerned before the vote that the ENVI committee would not go far enough to ensure that all hazardous products be removed from the market. Concerns remain about the following: Too many hazardous biocides could be left on the market as a result of loopholes in the exclusion criteria. Uncertainty over the EU centralised authorisation system and data requirements for health toxicity and eco-toxicity. The time needed for an accurate product assessment and expert exchange seem in danger of being seriously impaired. Next moves The report from the ENVI committee will then be voted on by the whole parliament in September 2010. Health and environment NGOs urge MEPs to address these questions and loopholes. Read the press release sent out after the recent ENVI vote |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 calls for more research into the prevention of cancer from exposure to chemicals in our everyday environment. All EU Member States are urged to set up integrated cancer plans, to help achieve the Partnership’s long-term aim of reducing cancer by 15% by 2020. The Parliament vote has underlined 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. Before the adoption in the European Parliament, HEAL worked alongside 21 European and national cancer prevention and environment and health groups to provide expertise. We welcome this resolution which indicates that the reduction of cancer incidence rates will continued to be slowed by poor implementation of existing EU and national laws on water quality, chemicals and pesticides management, and worker protection as well as lack of research and development in ‘environmental prevention’. For more information about HEAL’s action on chemicals and health please visit Chemicals Health Monitor. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 early July 2010. The opinion from EFSA has been delayed to take into account "hundreds of studies" and the "most recent scientific literature", according to the EFSA website. The Open Letter from scientists and NGOs says that "Only a tiny minority of studies have articulated that BPA exposure is safe… but it is these few flawed studies that EFSA previously relied on to declare BPA safe." Read the full article... |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 public consultation starting in July. • Deadline for the next nominations for the Candidate List is August 2010. ROHS: On June 2nd, the Environment and Public Health Committee voted on the report revising the ROHS Directive (hazardous substances in electric/electronic goods). The final vote from the whole Parliament, will take place in early October. Bisphenol A: Scientific panel on food contact materials (CEF) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) due to issue a scientific report on BPA by early July. The report is in response to a request from the European Commission International examples of concern over chemical’s endocrine disrupting effects - Danish government introduced a national ban on BPA in food contact materials destined for children aged 0-3, starting in July 2010; French government publishing a law banning BPA-containing baby bottles; and Swedish government signaled intention to take national measures if EFSA does not propose a stronger regulation. HEAL’s ACTION ON CHEMICALS • Submitted comments to the European Commission on the study about the cocktail effect (toxicity of mixtures), and participated in their June workshop. • Submitted comments to the Chemicals Agency on the proposed REACH Candidate chemicals, and attended the 12th Member State Committee meeting. • Participated in a joint letter to Members of the European Parliament on ROHS], calling for a ban on all halogenated organic chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants, and polyvinylchloride (PVC). • HEAL and many members signed a joint letter calling on EFSA to include all relevant studies in its review of BPA, and concluded that a thorough analysis of the science indicates that action to reduce exposure is warranted. The letter was signed by 21 scientists and 41 NGOs. WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Voice your concern about BPA: Cover the recent joint letter and upcoming opinion of EFSA in your news (website, newsletter, etc). •Join us in improving the REACH Consumer right to know about hazardous chemicals in products. Send a letter to a retailer or manufacturer about particular products – HEAL can provide a model letter - Please contact Lisette@env-health.org. •Ask your government to nominate harmful chemicals. Ask your government to nominate harmful chemicals to the Candidate List via the ‘fast track’ system. Use our model letter to contact the relevant ministry – let us know your response. For more details on any of the above, please contact Lisette@env-health.org. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 interest in the ‘phasing down’ of the use of mercury in dental amalgam. HEAL’s ACTION ON MERCURY HEAL provided the organizations conducting the hair sampling with background materials and mercury fact sheets from the joint HEAL- Health Care Without Harm Stay Healthy Stop Mercury campaign. Visit our Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury website. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Disseminate news about the global mercury treaty negotiations, and the positions and views of NGOs; 1. IPEN’s mercury-free campaign“Mercury-Free: You, Me and Babies”). 2. Zero Mercury Working Group. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 procedure, the selection of officers and a Bureau. The delegates commented on issues outlined in the 2009 UNEP Governing Council Decision 25/5, which establishes the mandate of the INC and outlines the goals and elements of the treaty, such as supply; storage; use in products and processes; artisanal small scale gold mining; trade; atmospheric emissions; waste and contaminated sites; and compliance . NGOs conducted two awareness raising actions at the Stockholm Mercury INC. Member groups of the International Persistent Organic Pollutant Elimination Network (IPEN) and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation did a sampling of mercury in the hair of 45 government delegates and some other representatives. The survey found mercury in all of the 58 hair test participants, and more than one third of samples exceeded the US National Research Council reference dose to avoid adverse effects on fetal brain development in pregnant women. Average mercury levels in people from developing and transition countries, where many people rely on fish for food, were twice the levels measured in delegates from developed countries. IPEN member groups also distributed over 200 perch-pike snacks to delegates, along with a postcard noting that Swedish perch-pike is so contaminated with mercury that the Swedish National Food Administration recommends eating it only two - three times per year for women who are trying to conceive a baby, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. The press release and report on the hair sampling. |
| 08/06/2010 | HEAL Secretariat News - May & June 2010 Staff Changes 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 of both Ecology and Law gives Antonin a holistic view on EU environmental issues. In addition, he was active on biodiversity conservation issues at the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), as a volunteer for the French Red Cross and spend a year with an student exchange programme in Montreal. Press releases 23/06/2010 European health group supports call for reducing exposure to BPA 06/05/2010 Cancer: MEPs urge prevention related to environmental causes. Open letters 06/2010 To: Mr Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council. Re EU’s ambitions with regard to climate change (Green 10 letter) 06/2010 To: Mr. Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment Cc.: Mr. Karl Falkenberg, Director-General, DG Environment, European Commission Re: NGO call for a prioritisation of air quality action (revision of the National Emission Ceilings and the Sulphur Content of Marine Fuels Directives) 05/2010 To: IMCO committee. NGO recommendations in view of the considerations in the ENVI-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocide regulation (COM 267). 04/2010 To: ENVI committee. NGO recommendations in view of the considerations in the ENVI-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocide regulation (COM 267). 04/2010 To: Members of the European Parliament Concerning: Plenary vote on the European Parliament Report on the European Commission White Paper: “Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action’ (COM (2009)0147 - 2009/2152 (INI)).” 04/2010 NGO vote recommendations in view of the vote in the ITRE-Committee on the amendments to the Commission’s proposal for a biocidal regulation (COM 267) Publications Pesticides and Health E-news – April 2010 Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin - April/ May 2010 Conference and meetings 29th – 30th June EU Health Forum - "Together for Health – a Strategy for the EU 2020". Read more about HEAL’s involvement 21st- 22nd June – Lisette attended a two day DG Environment workshop on the cocktail effect entitled "the State of the Art Report on Mixture Toxicity", at the Commission meeting building in Brussels. The workshop discussed the DG Environment contracted study by Professor Andreas Kortenkamp, which informs potential next steps by DG Environment on how to address effects from combination exposures across the range of EU legislation on products, chemicals and environmental compartments. 18th June - Lisette participated in a Conference call to prepare the Joint NGO representative to the Chemicals Agency Management Board for the upcoming Board meeting. 15th – 17th June Lisette attended 5th Meeting of the Competent (Member State) Authorities for REACH and Classification, Labelling & Packaging of Hazardous Substances (acronym CARACAL). The meeting discussed ongoing REACH issues related to Authorisation, PBT criteria; nanomaterials; and many others. 15th 16th June: Diana attended conference of ESCAPE research project. 9th – 10th June Lisette participated in the 12th meeting of the Chemicals Agency Member State Committee, which dealt with new candidate list chemicals and priorities for authorization. 4th June: Lisette gave a presentation at conference on Health and environment: time to act, of the Association Internationale de la Mutualite. 28th May: Lisette, Genon, Diana organised and participated in a 1 day NGO meeting on the Environmental Health Movement in Europe. 5th May – Genon Jensen, Lisette van Vliet and Anne Stauffer attended a discussion in the European Parliament with Lester Brown of the Earth Policy Institute. 17th May – Anne Stauffer and Antonin Acquarone attended a reception for inclusion of Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU in EMAS register of Bruxelles capital region. 20th May - Pendo Maro, Diana Smith and Antonin Acquarone attended a press briefing on the Commission’s Communication for a 30% reduction of CO2 emissions. The briefing was hosted by the Climate Action Network. 28th April – Lisette attended a meeting with the European Environment Agency on the upcoming 5th yearly State of the Environment Report. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 support the further uptake of preventive legislation in European countries. This project will provide a much needed series of European based impact statements which can be shared with key stakeholders and policy makers in order to make convincing arguments when advocating for adoption, implementation and enforcement of child injury prevention strategies. Joanne Vincenten and Morag MacKay, both of the European Child Safety Alliance, EuroSafe collect the BNFL scholarship award from RoSPA European Child Safety Alliance is a programme of the European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (EuroSafe). Direction for the programme is provided by a Steering Group (committee), composed of representatives of the 30 Member States of the European Union (observers also participate from EU applicant countries) and affiliated child injury prevention organisations. FInd out more about ECSA on the website. |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 improvement of health through effective management of obsolete pesticides and other chemicals. Both resolutions were adopted after delegations underscored the role the health sector plays in addressing chemicals of concern, and strengthening intersectoral action and partnerships. In addition, the delegations expressed the need to tackle problems such as electronic waste, hazardous pesticides and lead in paint. The resolutions call on countries to undertake a range of actions, including adopting policies, legislation and comprehensive national implementation plans; enhancing social responsibility through awareness-raising; regulating chemicals throughout their life-cycle to prevent accumulation of obsolete chemicals; and cooperating regionally and internationally to address problems. WHO Member States also reviewed progress achieved during the first year of implementing the Action Plan on Climate Change and Health. More than 2800 delegates attended the World Health Assembly this year. Source: WHO Public Health and Environment e-news |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 Diseases Patients Association (EFA) organised a workshop on Healthy Environments, entitled “Integrating Environment and Health policy towards better health”. Through this interactive session we aimed to: • Provide concrete policy examples and enable discussions with EU stakeholders on how and where public health objectives as integral part in EU environment policies can influence health of all EU citizens. • Engage the health community into a wider EU environment policy debate • Create recommendations to the Plenary session, particularly in relation to the prioritisation of issues within the next EU Action Plan on Environment and Health. The session was chaired by Marie Christine Dewolf, President, Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Marianella Salapatas, President, EFA, and moderated by David Stone, Principal Specialist Environment and Human Health, Natural England. The Rapporteur was Brian Ward, Policy Adviser, European Respiratory Society (ERS). Workshop speakers and participants expressed their support for a second EU Action Plan on Environment and Health as an overarching framework for environment and health work on EU, national and local level. They also highlighted the need for greater synergies with the WHO Environment and Health process, to increase health community and youth participation, and to translate research into ambitious action. Policy Recommendations from the workshop Integrating Environment and Health policy towards better health outcomes For a full overview of the workshop content please click here, or for the programme click here The presentations from the workshop are available here . |
| 08/06/2010 | 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 concerned to find that the true burden of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated. More information. At their meeting on 11 June, EU Heads of State and Government adopted the Europe 2020 strategy, the 10 year strategy which is the follow up to the EU Lisbon strategy. Read more.... According to a new Eurobarometer, 46% of Europeans are very concerned about the potential health risks of Electromagnetic fields, and almost 60% believe that national public authorities do not do enough to protect them from the potential health risks of EMF. Read more HEAL’s ACTION ON ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH Prior to the European Parliament’s plenary vote on cancer, HEAL and other NGOs sent a letter to all MEPs reiterating our call to consider environmental factors in cancer prevention. Your can read the letter here. |
| 08/06/2010 | Mixed message on environmental protection of human health In June, members of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee had a significant chance in this new Parliament to show their position on environmental health. They were voting on two files that have strong scope for reducing chemical pollution of humans and the environment. First, the revision of the EU law authorising biocides (chemicals for destroying or otherwise controlling harmful organisms in non-agricultural applications such as pest control products, disinfectants or preservatives). (Press release, June 2010) Second, the revision of the Directive on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS), which bans certain hazardous chemicals in electrical and electronic equipment. (Position paper on RoHS revision, Feb 2010) The results were quite mixed. In both votes members of the ENVI Committee introduced some important requirements for better health protection, for example on nanotechnology, but they chose not to take big strides forward overall. On biocides, the European Parliament Committee has strengthened some health and environment protection aspects of the Commission’s proposal. For example, they emphasised the special vulnerability of children, pregnant women and other groups and voted requirements that the “combination effects” of biocides must be considered in the risk assessment of biocides (Study charts path for better protection from harmful "chemical mixtures") . On nanomaterials, the Committee introduced requirements on safety assessment methods and asked for better consumer information through mandatory labelling. MEPs also called for a new Directive on biocides use. Increasingly widespread use of biocidal products is a major concern because it may contribute to antibiotic resistance. The new directive would also be important as it could address biocide use in "sensitive areas", such as schools and kindergartens. But concerns about the draft law remain: exemptions to bans on certain hazardous chemicals, such as CMRs, EDCs or POPs, are planned which could create major loopholes. Questions also remain about the centralised EU authorisation system and the data requirements for toxicity tests. On the RoHS revision, a coalition of public interest groups, including HEAL, has been advocating that RoHS move beyond the chemical by chemical approach and ban groups of chemicals which create persistent organic pollutants or have other toxic properties. For example, the coalition has asked for a ban on all halogenated organic chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants, and polyvinylchloride (PVC) by 2015. Unfortunately, the ENVI vote did not immediately ban any new substances but rather prioritised certain chemicals for future evaluation. New is the requirement to include most medical devices in the existing RoHS six chemicals ban by 2014. On nanomaterials, the Committee voted to ban nanosilver and carbon nanotubes and require labelling for all uses that can lead to consumer exposure. HEAL and others are disappointed that the opportunity to advance ROHS by immediately banning brominated flame retardants and PVC plastics as a significant source of global dioxin pollution was not seized. |
| 15/03/2010 | HEAL action at Parma - DAILY UPDATES (March 2010) Ministers of health and the environment, experts and non-governmental organisations from the 53 WHO European countries gather this week in Parma to discuss progress on the Environment and Health process in Europe. The presence of experts and NGOs is of crucial importance to drive Europe’s agenda on emerging environmental health challenges for the years to come. Each day HEAL updated this page with the lastest news from the Parma conference. HEAL is leading a delegation of NGOs to the 5th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health of the WHO European Region, takeing place in Parma, Italy, this week. The health and environment NGO delegation was among 600 participants brought together to review progress on agreements by European ministers of health and environment, and make new pledges to improve people’s health and the environment. HEAL urged ministers to take action against emerging health and environment threats such as climate change, pesticides, hazardous chemicals and nano materials; highlighting areas where progress is slow; awarding winners of a nongovernmental good practice in children's environment and health competition; and highlighting why youth participation is so important in environmental health. Read more 10th March - 1st Day The conference opened today with a 1000 delegates – including ministers from over 27 countries throughout the European region. The opening plenary address was conducted jointly by the Italian minister for the Environment and the Italian minister for health. It’s encouraging to see such a huge and diverse NGO turnout – we estimate there are well over 100 individual organisations being represented here. Today, HEAL have been contributing to the process and shaping the discussion through two well attended side-events and continuing to highlight the work of the NGOs at national and international level through our exhibition stand. The latter has allowed for some very interesting debates during to coffee breaks. Thank you so much to all our members who have been helping staff the stand, if you haven’t visited us yet you can find us beside the standing coffee area. Side events 9 - 10.15 - Human Bio-monitoring and E and H policy Lisette (HEAL’s toxics policy officer) attended the symposium on how human-biomonitoring (HBM) supports environment and health policy. The session presented a forthcoming European feasibility study of mothers and children (funded by the EU). The work looked specifically at how HBM is being supported by the WHO Parma declaration and commitment to act. Really interesting discussion about how HBO can help us achieve environment and health goals in the EU and the wider European Region. 10.45-12.15 - Environmental influences on children's respiratory health Anne Stauffer (HEAL’s policy manager) was part of the panel discussion for the European Respiratory Society side event promoting the Year of the Lung campaign. Leading respiratory specialists talked about the increasing threat of climate change and air quality on lung health. Emerging messages- 1.Research shows us that preventative policies (inc. implementation of the WHO air quality guidelines) are needed now. 2. The health community needs to make their expertise know, medical professionals can influence policy in ways that others cannot. It seems that there is enough evidence to take action now! Lung health under threat from climate change and deteriorating air quality. Read the press release here. 10.45 - 12.15. - Youth Participation in the CEHAPE process Genon Jensen (HEAL’s executive director) was part of the panel for the symposium on youth participation. 5 youth representatives spoke of projects currently happening in their areas to actively improve environment and health – all really inspiring stories, illustrating just how much is possible to achieve community level. There were some brilliant films too – all of which are available here. The session was packed out, it was a brilliant opportunity to really gain a better understanding of the capacity of young people and how important their work is to their community and the wider decision-making processes – keep up the great work! Thursday 11th - 2nd Day 8.30 – 10 CEHAPE Awards for good practice in environment and health. The winners have been announced – spirits are high! Awards were presented by ministers European ministers in a fantastically upbeat session - all to the theme tune from Star trek! Such inspiring projects from all corners of the European region. You can read the PR here. We also now have copies of the Awards booklet. You can watch the video of the CEHAPE awards ceremony here Many congratulations again to all the winning projects. Information about all of them will be available on the CEHAPE website shortly. 18.00 - 19.30 BPA raised at EFSA symposium: At a side event in Parma on Thursday evening organised by the European Food Safety Authority and World Health Organization (WHO), the results of a cost-benefit analysis of eating fish were discussed. This gave HEAL member, Andre Cicolella, RES, an opportunity to ask why the adverse health effects of Bisphenol A, an endocrine disrupting chemical, had not been considered in this analysis. Anyone eating canned fish would be exposed to BPA, which is found in the synthetic lining of tins. He called on the EFSA to address the human data showing that fetal contamination takes place through maternal exposure to BPA. We are currently compiling a full update from Parma for the Editorial of the March edition of HEAL news. Watch this space! Photos from Parma WHO Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health WHO Publications: "The Journey to Parma: a tale of 20 years of environment and health action in Europe," WHO Europe, March 2010, with contributions from Genon Jensen, HEAL and Sascha Gabizon, Women in Europe for a Common Future. The Future of the European Environment and Health Process, from Frankfurt to Parman and beyond – Roadmap for the future for the European Environment and Health Process. European framework for action on health and climate change. WHO advocates for policy makers to protect people's health from the health hazards associated with climate change. Background on NGO involvement in CEHAPE |
| 08/03/2010 | 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. This Ministerial will discuss progress towards the achievement of the Children's Environment and Health Action Plan (CEHAPE). Since the 2004 Ministerial, young people have been officially part of the WHO CEHAPE process. The two and half day seminar in Brussels was organised by the CEHAPE youth representatives, and facilitated by the European Youth Forum. Bringing together this diverse mix of young people enabled them to discuss the draft text of the Declaration that focused on children’s environmental health and to brainstorm on the questions they could be ask Ministers during the CEHAPE Good Practice Award and panel discussion on March 11 in Parma.. The event was organised with financial support of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO). This workshop resulted in increased capacity of this core CEHAPE youth group, who will be coming to Parma to help organise and foster the youth involvement in the Ministerial Conference. About CEHAPE CEHAPE was adopted by European Ministers in 2004 at the Fourth Conference on Environment and Health. Currently, CEHAPE addresses the environmental risk factors that most affect the health of European children, the main commitments focus on four regional priority goals (RPGs) for Europe (to ensure; safe water and adequate sanitation; protection from injuries and adequate physical activity; clean outdoor and indoor air and to aim at chemical-free environments). This coming Ministerial in Parma will discuss progress towards the achievement of these goals, in the context of recent developments such as financial constraints, broader socioeconomic and gender inequalities and more frequent extreme climate events. By addressing environmental risk factors, the CEHAPE covers two of the seven priorities within the comprehensive WHO European strategy on child and adolescent health and development. |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 project (Air Pollution and Health – A European Information System) started in 1999 to track the effects of air pollution on health in 26 European cities. It also tracked how results are communicated to policy makers to better understand how research findings are converted into action. The project used indicators, such as premature death and life expectancy, for a health impact assessment (HIA) of PM10 and PM2.5. It identified 26 urban centres that could implement these HIAs. To analyse the path of communication between research findings and policy, the researchers interviewed 32 individuals involved in air pollution and health policy in the UK and Spain. The research on the communication to policy makers indicated that policy advisors and makers are generally unlikely to use standard scientific reports. A long complex chain of many players leads from the scientists to the policy makers. On the basis of this a strategy was developed to communicate Apheis’s findings along the whole chain. It suggested that research findings should be shaped to the different needs of scientific and policy users. For example, policy users tend to require distilled information with clear messages and implications for policy. This could be done with a range of communications tools beyond scientific reports, such as summary reports, interviews, brochures, presentations and Q&As. By ensuring a firm link to policy, important research findings on air pollution may have a greater impact. Source: Science for Environment Policy HEAL member, Dr.Hanns Moshammer (Internation Society of Doctors for the Environment, ISDE Austria) is a partner of Aphekom, a project designed specifically to improve knowledge and communication for decision making on air pollution and health in Europe. The Aphekom project develops and delivers new, reliable and actionable information and tools so decision makers can set more effective local and European policies; health professionals can better advise vulnerable groups; and individuals can make better-informed decisions. During the project’s two and a half years the tasks of Aphekom's more than 60 scientists and specialists working in 25 cities across Europe include: - Developing new health-impact indicators with a special focus on traffic given the latest findings on the dangers of living near roads. - Reporting on health impacts and related costs. Evaluating strategies designed to reduce air pollution. - Stimulating dialogue between stakeholders. - Providing guidance to health professionals on helping patients reduce their exposure to air pollution. In all these ways the project hopes to contribute to the development and evolution of local and European policies aimed at reducing both air pollution and its impact on respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality across Europe. Read more about Aphekom |
| 08/03/2010 | 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. During the Parma WHO 5th ministerial conference on environment and health HEAL coordinated a symposium on behalf of the European Respiratory Society, ERS - 10 March, 10.45-12.15. The title of the symposium was Environmental influences on children's respiratory health. The purpose of this workshop was to focus on the key environmental factors that influence children’s respiratory health (environmental factors in outdoor and indoor air: traffic, industrial installations, pollen and other allergens, environmental tobacco smoke etc) and highlight linkages to policy such as the Parma Ministerial Declaration, CEHAPE and the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health. The medical and scientific evidence was presented and also the necessary policy recommendations and responses required to ensure an adequate protection of children’s health. The workshop aimed to focus on the particular situation of children’s lung health in Europe, where morbidity from respiratory conditions is expected to increase if adequate policy responses are not taken. The meeting was attended by 50 participants, including WHO representatives and decision-makers from national environment or health ministries. It was very successful in giving visibility to the ERS work and activities on air quality. During the meeting, WHO and other stakeholders underlined the importance of ERS bringing its expertise and voice to the political discussions on air quality, and the need to increase this input into policy discussions. The symposium was part of the wider campaign – The European Launch of the Year of the Lung 2010 launched in Marseille on February 1st by ERS. Hundreds of millions of people suffer every day from lung diseases, and they cause almost 20% of all deaths in the world. Increased awareness about lung diseases is vital, because they are killing more and more people every year and account for a socioeconomic burden of €102 billion due to health care costs and lost working days in Europe alone. The ‘Big Five’ lung disorders are lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB) and asthma. Read the press release here. Join the Year of the Lung initiative. Know You Air For Health website translated into French and Czech. The website, coordinated by HEAL and member organisation, European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Association (EFA). The website provides citizens with information on national and local air pollution in Europe. It also offers useful links and references on how to find information about action aimed at improving air quality at the national level and in your local area. The text is particularly intended to meet the needs of those considered susceptible to air pollution. The new translations will be live on Friday 26th . |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 (compared to 1990) and their conditional offer to move to a 30% reduction if other countries commit themselves comparably or adequately. On 16 March, the EP’s Environment Committee in its vote on the EU White Paper on Adapting to Climate Change acknowledged the threats of climate change to health, and strengthened health protection and the role of the health sector in adaptation. The ENVI report will be voted in plenary in the week of 19th April. HEAL and our member organisation, Health Care Without Harm Europe, welcome this move to strengthen health protection and include the health co-benefits in adaptation policy. Read the joint NGO letter sent to the ENVI committee prior to the vote - Strengthen health protection and include health co-benefits in adaptation policy WHO Fifth Ministerial on Environment and Health, Parma, Italy, 2010. Ministers and Representatives of 53 Member States in the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) responsible for health and the environment, called on agencies to create a platform for the sharing of best practices, research, data, information, technology and tools focused on health and climate change. Ministers also welcomed the new regional framework for action entitled Protecting health in an environment challenged by climate change and recommend that the approaches described in it are used to support action in this area. HEAL Action on climate change and health Intervention on climate change and health during the Parma conference. HEAL told the plenary on climate change at Parma ministerial meeting about the "good news" on climate change. To the Assembly of about 500 people, we welcomed the increased political commitment on climate change and health, and the WHO European Regional Framework for Action on climate change, known as the "Road Map", and highlighted the increasing mobilisation of the health community through the campaign Prescription for a Healthy Planet. You can read our full intervention here Your Action Sign the Prescription For a Healthy Planet as an individual or organisation - and encourage others in your network to do so too. Sign up here.... Already, over 100 health organisations and 120 individuals have signed up to the campaign, this number continues to rise daily – see the list of endorsers on the new website Ask your MEP to support health in their plenary vote on the EU White Paper on Adapting to Climate Change. For more information please contact Pendo@env-health.org. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 anticipated. The transmission patterns of communicable diseases are influenced by many factors, including climatic and ecological elements. It is widely anticipated that climate change will impact the spread of communicable diseases in Europe. In some instances these impacts will be favourable, but in many cases they will pose new threats to public health. The handbook has been developed as a resource to encourage planning activities that anticipate and address the possible impact of climate change on communicable disease spread. Informed by current climate change science, the handbook suggests various processes and important points for consideration when conducting vulnerability assessments and developing adaptation strategies for climate change. Many countries have already developed climate change vulnerability assessments and/or adaptation strategies. The handbook is based on best practices and experiences from not only in Europe, but also from assessments undertaken in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. Although the content and context of vulnerability and adaptation assessments will necessarily vary from country to country and region to region, the process is fundamentally similar. This handbook stresses a methodology that involves as many different stakeholders as is feasible, is iterative in nature, and is carefully managed throughout all phases. Identifying potential vulnerabilities first requires describing the current situation, including demographic and socio-economic factors, health systems, epidemiologic factors, and information from non-health sectors. With careful analysis, priority diseases and vulnerable groups can be identified. These findings can then inform public health adaptation programs that strategically leverage existing strengths and mitigate the future weaknesses of health systems. Download the handbook here Know more about infectious diseases and climate change Other reports of interest: Climate Change: Threats to health A World Vision Report Over recent years climate change has emerged as a new driver of malnutrition. In the wake of the 2008 food crisis, the number of children with this life-threatening condition escalated, increasing mortality rates by 5-20 times. The climate emergency is poised to exacerbate children's risk to physical injury, malnutrition and infection. For decades World Vision has worked with developing communities to help them carry an already heavy health burden from malnutrition, diarrhoea and vector-borne diseases. With climate change threatening to unravel decades of development, efforts to curb existing vulnerabilities and mainstream child-focused adaptation into development programming must be urgently stepped up. Ultimately the success of humanity adapting to a continually changing environment will be intrinsically tied to protecting the life of children. Download the report here Climate Change and Children A Unicef report The report examines the effects of climate change on children – and examines how climate change has evolved from an ‘environmental’ issue into one that requires collective expertise in sustainable development, energy security, and the health and well-being of children. Young people speak directly through comments and letters collected by UNICEF’s Voices of Youth, child delegates to the 2007 UNEP African Regional Children’s Conference for the Environment and the 2007 World Scout Jamboree, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme. Download the report here |
| 08/03/2010 | 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, including Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania and Togo to highlight the numerous alternatives to pesticide use. Below is some more information about the French and Belgian campaigns. If you have news of actions in your country please let us know (send Gill an email gill@env-health.org) . The French campaign The French week is coordinated by Action Citizen for Alternatives to Pesticides (ACAP), a network of 170 organisations coordinated by HEAL members, MDRGF. Over 600 events are planned over the ten days, and this year for the first time all regions of France will take part - with over 70 actions in Brittany, and 50 in PACA and Alsace. The French campaign will focus on pesticide use in gardens, there will be workshops and visits to organic gardens. All the actions organised during the Week will be available on www.semaine-sans-pesticides.fr. The Belgian Campaign HEAL member, Pesticide Action Network Europe is organising a series of events in the Brussels, the Belgian Capital. There will be a week-long exhibition during the European Economic and Social Committee showcasing alternative to pesticide use and good practice examples. HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides Campaign will also be exhibiting too. On Thursday 25th March, there will be a seminar on the future for integrated production, featuring speakers from the European Commission, industry and NGOs. This will be followed by a drinks reception, with cheese and honey tasting, an exhibition on integrated production, and the launch of a bee-friendly competition for Europe’s farmers. For more information on the week in Brussels click here The Wallonian region of Belgium are also running many events. They started the Week Without Pasticides back in 2008 and it has grown year on year. The 2010 week looks to jam-packed with events, seminars for schools and families. For more information about the Wallonie week click here. |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 countries* in collaboration with local partner organizations. The results revealed that 66% of pesticide active ingredients used on vegetables, cotton, paddy rice, and other crops are highly hazardous according to PAN International classification criteria. “Exposure to these pesticides puts communities at high risk of developing severe permanent health problems such as endocrine disruption, which can be caused at low doses of exposure to certain pesticides,” said Bella Whittle, coordinator of the project and author of the report. “It is especially distressing that the most vulnerable populations, such as women and children, the sick and malnourished, and the elderly are disproportionately affected and cannot escape the sources of exposure.” Several pesticides found in the Asian countries have been banned in other areas of the world, even the countries that house the agrochemical companies’ headquarters. For instance, Paraquat is banned in Europe. The report observes that people are exposed to the harmful chemicals for a variety of reasons: partial, inadequate or complete lack of personal protective equipment; spills during mixing, spraying, and/or loading of the pesticides; poor storage and disposal practices; and spraying against the wind, which facilitates spray drift. It is also common to find empty containers in the agricultural fields. Water is contaminated by chemical runo-ff and by washing equipment in local water bodies. The report concludes that huge efforts are needed to implement international codes and conventions on pesticides and to meet the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation goal for 2020, whereby chemicals are produced in ways that lead to the minimisation of significant effects to human health and the environment. The report offers recommendations to alleviate the worst pesticides problems in developing countries, particularly in Asia, including the reduction and elimination of highly hazardous pesticides and putting a stop to government registration of pesticides that require personal protective equipment (PPE) because of its inadequacy and cost, making proper use unfeasible. “Governments should phase out highly hazardous pesticides and progressively phase-in non-chemical pest management approaches,” said PAN AP Executive Director Sarojeni Rengam. “Support needs to focus on the investigation, education, and promotion of agro-ecological practices, Biodiversity Based Ecological Agriculture and Integrated Pest Management.” More details on the recommendations and alternatives to chemical based agriculture are given in the report. *Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Download the report in low resolution PDF (2MB) Read more about PAN AP HEAL Sick of Pesticides campaign Pesticide "victims" fight for justice In defense of citizens’ voices; French courts rule in favour of environment group’s legal suit on pesticides in wine |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 to better protect health and the environment. On 10th February the UK government launched a public consultation on the implementation of the EU Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. HEAL welcomes this consultation as it could help to create a new approach to pesticide management in the UK, especially when it comes to establishing pesticide-free areas and supporting substitution. The deadline for comments is 4 May. HEAL’s action on pesticides and health HEAL together with Pesticide Action Network and other partners sent a letter to MEPs before the Biocides discussion, urging them to introduce changes to ensure the comprehensive phasing-out of hazardous substances, a low-risk approach without loopholes, the better protection of vulnerable groups, and other crucial issues. The ENVI Committee is scheduled to vote on the draft report at the end of April. Read the joint NGO letter here. Your Action Have your say: The public consultation on the implementation of the EU Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides has the potential to lay down the ground work for an overhaul and re-evaluation of the way in which the use of pesticides is controlled in the UK. The Consultation will run from 9th February until the 4th May 2010 and is open to anyone to make comments and suggestions. The details of the consultation can be found here. The Directive gives a number of options for the UK Government that could lead to greater protection for people and the environment if adopted, Proposed measures include: implementing a system of prior notification to inform residents before pesticide spraying begins; a ban on pesticide use in areas frequented by vulnerable groups such as schools, hospitals and playgrounds; and the promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). |
| 08/03/2010 | Eight more chemicals proposed for REACH ‘most harmful’ list The European chemicals agency has published proposals for eight chemicals to be placed on the EU chemicals legislation REACH’s most harmful list. The proposals are open for public comment until 22 April 2010. Denmark, France and Germany have proposed eight more chemicals, including tricholoroethylene and boric acid, due to their cancer-causing, gene mutating or reproduction damaging effects, for REACH’s most harmful list. Some of the eight chemicals are used in industrial processes, but also in some cases in consumer products. For instance, boric acid is used in biocides, and Anhydrous Disodium Tetraborate is used in detergents, cleaners, personal care products, biocides and as a flame retardant. After the public consultation on each of the proposed chemicals, they are subsequently considered and agreed or rejected in the European Chemical Agency’s Member State Committee. If adopted, they are placed on the REACH ‘most harmful’ or so-called Candidate List. The Candidate List currently contains 29 chemicals. Once a chemical has been officially placed on the candidate list, the European public has a right to know about the presence of these chemicals in products they buy, when they ask. Companies are obliged to respond to consumer right-to-know queries within 45 days of receiving the request, at no charge. Any member of the European public can ask whether a candidate substance is in a product they are buying or considering buying, by submitting a letter such as the model one in the Your Right to Know brochure. Nearly three years after the REACH system has started, the number of chemicals being proposed for the twice yearly deadline has declined. |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 dealt with in EU regulations, is open to public comment until the 30th April 2010 (see Your Action below for details.) More REACH ‘high concern’ chemicals. The European Chemicals Agency has opened the public comment phase on the proposed addition of 8 new chemicals to Europe’s ‘most harmful’ list: the ‘Candidate List’ of substances of very high concern. Two of the chemicals are trichloroethylene and boric acid. Details can be found here Governance of REACH implementation. The European Commission convened the 4th Meeting of the Competent Authorities (Representatives from Member State ministries responsible for chemicals) for REACH and CLP (classification, labeling & packaging of hazardous substances). Topics of interest at this meeting for HEAL were developments on the identification criteria for PBTs (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals) to be used under REACH; the regulatory treatment of Deca BDE; phthalates; mercury in measuring instruments, numerous other chemicals, and the combination effects of chemicals. Public Access to Information about chemicals registered under REACH. The 3rd meeting of the European Chemicals Agency Management Board’s Advisory Group on Data Dissemination (of public information on chemical substances from REACH registration dossiers) in Helsinki was attended by the joint NGOs Representative. This Advisory Group looks at how ECHA deals with the dissemination of information submitted for chemicals registered under REACH, particularly how that data will be made easily available to the public on the ECHA website, and under what criterion a registering company’s request for confidentiality of some of the data will be accepted. Chemicals in food contact materials. The European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety had a brief exchange on chemicals in food contact materials. Green MEP Staes posed questions which were answered by officials from the European Commission. More information can be found here The Commission is preparing a draft regulation that will combine several existing laws, and will pass it onto the European Parliament in due course. HEAL’s action on chemicals and health HEAL submitted a response to the European Commission’s public consultation on its Nanotechnology Action Plan 2010-2015 via the internet. HEAL put out an information release on the DG Environment study on the mixtures of chemicals and the opportunity for public input, which was covered in various media. Read the info release. HEAL continues to circulate the information to various networks. HEAL, alongside WECF and EEB, have issued a joint position paper on hazardous chemicals in electric and electronic goods (ROHS), which has been given to European Parliamentarians in the Environment Committee, to inform their amendments to the draft Parliament report, and the exchange of views on April 7th. Read the position paper here Your action Submit comments to DG Environment on the cocktail effect / mixtures toxicity study. Aside from scientific comments on the study, you can also submit comments of support for further investigation into regulatory action in this area. For details, see the “In Focus” Section of the Chemicals Health Monitor homepage. Write to your Members of Parliament concerning the hazardous chemicals in electric and electronic goods (ROHS), prior to Committee discussion on 7th April. For more details and names of key MEPs, and a copy of the joint NGO position paper, please contact Lisette@env-health.org Your Right to Know Ask companies: The candidate list now includes 29 chemicals in total. You can contact companies and ask retailers, using our ‘right to know’ model letter (8 languages), to find out which of these most harmful chemicals are in products you buy or have bought. For more information, please click here. Ask your Government. The list of most harmful chemicals is growing far too slowly, hampering your full right to know about toxics in consumer products. You can help get more chemicals regulated under REACH, and strengthen the Right to Know by urging your government to nominate harmful chemicals. Use our model letter here to contact the relevant ministry in your country (our list has details for all 27 Member States). The ministries are deciding now for the next deadline in early August, so now is a good time to contact them. or more information, please click here. |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 labeled indicating methylmercury content, and warning vulnerable groups. HEAL and the Zero Mercury Working Group sent a joint letter to Members of the ENVI committee urging them to support the amendment. HEAL is disappointed that the ENVI rejected this change, and thus the opportunity to inform consumers, particularly pregnant or breastfeeding women, future mothers, and those feeding children, when one of the most toxic substances known to humankind is present in fish or seafood. Your Action Find out more about mercury levels in fish and how you can protect yourself by downloading the factsheet Mercury and fist consumption in several EU languages, published as part of our Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury campaign. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/03/2010 | HEAL Secretariat News March 2010 Staff changes 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 Campaign and Communications Officer. Gill will be the first point of contact for HEAL members and will be coordinating HEAL's communication services - such as the newsletters, the websites and publications. Gill will also provide support to our campaigns and projects. HEAL is recruiting! HEAL has two openings for internships this summer. 1. Research and Policy Intern - Chemicals The successful candidate will work closely with the HEAL Toxics Policy Advisor, on EU chemicals policy. For the full job description click here 2. HEAL is recruiting a Research and Policy Intern – Climate Change The successful candidate will work closely with the joint HEAL/Health Care Without Harm Senior Policy Advisor on EU Climate change and health policy. For the full job description click here Press releases 11/03/2010 Competition rewards environmental projects that save children’s lives Also available in French , Russian, Dutch. 10/03/2010 Lung health under threat from climate change and deteriorating air quality 08/03/2010 HEAL takes part in ministerial talks on children’s health in Parma 12/02/2010 Study charts path for better protection from harmful "chemical mixtures" Open Letters and position papers To: Members of the European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI Committee) Concerning: Proposals to amend the European Parliament draft report on the “Commission White Paper: ‘Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action’ (2009/2152 (INI)).” Joint NGO Position on Draft report of European Parliament – Rapporteur Christa Klaß (EPP) in view of the Commission proposal for a regulation concerning the placing on the market and use of biocidal products. To: ENVI Committee: Environment and Health NGOs’ comments on labelling of foodstuffs: Environment Committee’s report on the proposed regulation on food information to consumers. To: The President of the European Commission Concerning: Europe’s emissions reduction target to the UNFCCC Secretariat.. To: Spanish Presidency of the EU Concerning: Europe’s emissions reduction target to the UNFCCC Secretariat. Response by the EU Civil Society Contact Group to the EC Consultation on the Green Paper on a European Citizens' Initiative Publications HEAL brochure: Better health through a healthy environment. Also available in Russian, Italian, German and French. CEHAPE Awards 2010 Pesticides and Health E-News - February 2010 Chemicals Health Monitor Bulletin Conference and meetings 2 – 3rd February Lisette van Vliet participated in the Competent Authorities for REACH and Classification, Labelling & Packaging of Hazardous Substances. This group meets around 3 times per year to discuss REACH implementation issues. In this meeting, HEAL attended to receive information about developments on the criteria for PBT chemicals which will be used under REACH to identify chemicals of very high concern; developments on the regulatory treatment of Deca BDE; phthalates; Cadmium and the combination effects of chemicals. 10th February – NGO Management Board Representative, Dr. Martin Fuehr, attended the meeting of ECHA Management Board Working Group on Data Dissemination, in Helsinki. This Working Group is looking at how ECHA deals with the dissemination of information submitted to ECHA for chemicals registered under REACH, particularly how that data will be made easily available to the public on the ECHA website, and under what criterion a registering company’s request for confidentiality of some of the data will be accepted. 23rd February – Anne Stauffer attended a dinner in the European Parliament “Health and Environment – Preparing for Parma” organized by the Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea of Italy, in collaboration with the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe. 25th February - Genon Jensen gave a presentation on NGO involvement in children’s environment and health during the seminar, “Parme un enjeu pour les jeunes” organised by the Appel de Jeunesse in the French National Assembly. Diana Smith also attended the press conference. 26th February Gill Erskine and Pendo Maro attended as lunch time session hoseted by the European Climate Foundation entitled, ‘Using social surveys and behavioural economics to address climate change: Uncovering trends in public opinions’. 4th March Lisette attended the Health Questioning expertise - conflicts of interest and deficient evaluation conference at the European Parliament. She gave a presentation entitled: Bisphenol A: a perspective from a European environmental health NGO. 10th – 12th March The HEAL secretariat participated in the WHO 5th Ministerial conference on environment and health in Parma, Italy. HEAL lead a delegation of NGO representatives, participated in side-events and had a exhibition stand displaying all HEAL and members projects. |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 la Jeunesse collective include an association for osteopath students (Regards Croises) who recently organised a conference on the causes of cancer following the death of one of their fellow students. They discovered that the causes of the illness were inked to an industrialised food chain, intensive agriculture, pollution, different types of ionising radiation and so on. The collectif aims to bring together student organisations and young people interested in health and environment and encourage lifestyles and consumerism that is respectful of health, societies and ecosystems. Martin Rieussec, President of the Collectif Appel de la Jeunesse and founder of Regards Croises told the meeting: "We do not think that our generation et those to come can be in good health on a sick planet." Addressing the launch event, Genon Jensen, Executive Director of HEAL welcomed the new group as an important contributor to raising awareness on environment and health for future generations. Members of the scientific advisory group for Collectif Appel de la Jeuness include Andre Cicolella, Reseau Environnnement Sante and Dominique Belpomme, ARTAC, both organisations are HEAL members. In preparation for Parma, Appel de la Jeunesse made this short video to highlight young people role in the decision making process. Contact: Martin Rieussec, President, martinrieussec@gmail.com, www.appeldelajeunesse.org |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 people. Individuals can view air and bathing water quality for the majority of Europe as well as provide your feedback. You can even receive updates via your mobile phone and share this data with friends and family using a number of social networking sites. Check out Eye On Earth |
| 08/03/2010 | 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 by 20 million, and increasing number and levels of young people completing education. The Commission has requested the European Council to adopt themes and targets during its Spring Council. The WHO European Region Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health attracted over 1000 participants from across 53 countries, and adopted a Ministerial Declaration and Commitment to Act, as well as a proposed new structure to bring increased political support for the Environment and Health process. The European Commission presented its Declaration, and Health Commissioner Dalli gave a speech on the closing day, highlighting that a significant portion of Europeans suffer from health problems linked to the environment. A series of side events highlighted EU initiatives on children’s environment and health research, biomonitoring, EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade gave one of the closing speeches showcasing the new platform. The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety discussed the Parliament’s Report on Action Against Cancer (the European Partnership) on February 23rd. The Committee will vote on the draft Report and amendments on 6 April. HEAL’s action on environment and health Health took part in the Parma ministerial. Over 80 NGOs took part in WHO Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health. It provided a very important opportunity to contribute to the discussions, share expertise and highlight where action is needed. HEAL coordinated a delegation of 20 health non-governmental, professional and patient organisations at the conference. For a full update of HEAL activities in Parma please read this month’s editorial. HEAL discussed with Members of the European Parliament possible improvements to the Report on Action Against Cancer to ensure better recognition of environmental factors in cancer, and opportunities for primary prevention of such environmental risk factors. Recent media coverage on HEAL and environment and health. HEAL in the media Your Action Write to your Members of Parliament concerning the Report on Action against Cancer, urging them to take environmental factors better into account, to use a definition of environmental factors that includes hazardous chemicals indoors and outdoors to which people are unwittingly and involuntarily exposed, including endocrine disruptors. For more details and names of key MEPs, please contact Lisette. Spread the word: the outcomes of the Parma ministerial. We encourage you to widely disseminate the outcomes from Parma to your networks and national partners, Please contact Anne Stauffer for more information. |
| 08/03/2010 | Parma ministerial: positive discussions but little sense of urgency The Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, which took place in Parma, Italy, 10-12 March 2010 created a major opportunity for policy makers from the 53 Member States of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to discuss how environmental factors are affecting health. Zsuzsanna Jakab, the new Regional Director for WHO Europe told the meeting that environment and health would be one of her priorities, and that bringing environmental factors to the public health agenda could help re-invigorate it. She stressed that it was now time to stop talking and to move to action. The Pan European process on Environment and Health began in 1989, and is credited with putting environment and health on the national agendas of many WHO member states as well as spearheading international discussions and agreements in other regions, such as the Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan CEHAPE. The Fifth Ministerial meeting agreed a new institutional framework for the process, from 2010 until the Sixth Ministerial in 2016, including a mid-term review and a new ministerial board which will meet annually. This has the potential to bring more political weight to pressing environment and health issues. In addition, some targets and timelines for achievements have been set on the regional priority goals for children’s environmental health, and the health impact of climate change and environmental inequalities are also now firmly on the agenda. But what was missing in Parma was any strong sense of urgency about deteriorating public health in Europe as a result of environmental conditions. Children's health is under serious threat: child cancer rates are increasing by more than one per cent each year, and climate change will push up rates of the traditional child killers - respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases (see press release for the CEHAPE good practice awards). Yet few ministers spoke with real recognition that we are facing a crisis in public health. The winners of the CEHAPE Awards for good practice in Environment and Health. Find out more about the winning projects here Chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and long-term respiratory diseases, are rising in both children and adults in Europe; environmental factors contribute significantly to all these conditions. Chronic illness now represents more than 80% of the overall health burden in Europe and is a huge factor in national health spending. Yet serious attention is still not being given to the known opportunities for reducing chronic conditions through policies addressing air and chemical pollution as a minimum. (See the intervention by André Cicolella) HEAL and other health and medical organisations recognise their own need to strengthen advocacy and communication work to further support the Environment and Health process. We, as the health community, especially want to promote our capacity to monitor how environmental laws, such as air quality or pesticides, are made and implemented – at EU, national and local levels. The necessary political will to tackle the environmental causes of chronic diseases and to promote sustainable development can only be achieved by building voices, especially among medical professionals, youth and other non-governmental groups, who can share their messages with politicians and policy makers. It is also vital that the public become fully awareness about failures in meeting targets on reducing harmful environmental exposures and how this is linked to their own health so that the resulting public concerns are brought to governments. For example, politicians need to act on concerns over Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor. The youth delegation in Parma have asked governments to remove BPA from baby bottles. The crisis in children's health on the one hand and the positive health benefits to be reaped by reducing environmental pollution on the other is such that the Parma meeting should have attracted as much attention as the Copenhagen talks on climate change in December last year. In reality, most people outside Italy did not even hear about it. Although media coverage of the meeting was strong in Parma and nationally, it was patchy in other European countries. Nevertheless, the ministerial did provide an excellent opportunity for policy makers to discuss how environmental change could improve health - and it did spotlight the new WHO Europe Regional Director Zsuzsanna Jakab as a committed and determined champion. In the final press release, Dr Jakab said she felt that Parma had "opened an exciting new chapter" on environment and health. The closing message quoted EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli recognising both the problem and identifying those likely to be most harmed. "A significant proportion of Europeans suffers from health problems linked to environmental conditions. Vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women and socially disadvantaged people are particularly affected," he said. Follow up documents from Parma Parma Declaration on Environment and Health WHO Press release 12 March 2010 European governments adopt comprehensive plan to reduce environmental risks to health by 2020. Governments from across Europe signed a declaration today at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, pledging to reduce the adverse health impact of environmental threats in the next decade. “Protecting health in an environment challenged by climate change: European Regional Framework for Action” which was developed by the Climate change and health task force of the WHO European Region in which HEAL participated, with input from national experts. Speeches: Closing address: Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General European Commissioner Dalli’s speech. The Health Commissioner’s review post Parma Developing healthy environments for all our citizens - a major challenge Speech by Jacqueline McGlade Executive Director, European Environment Agency (EEA) Photographs from Parma Video Clips from all speakers. • Youth Participation Youth Declaration 2010 Youth participation in the environment and health process • CEHAPE Awards Video of the awards ceremony Press release • HEAL and other NGOs HEAL daily updates page from Parma Media coverage from Parma NGO Interventions Interventions from the floor Year of the Lung Symposium – children’s respiratory health and the environment Photos from Parma WHO Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health |
| 08/03/2010 | 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; engage and enable the public to promote mercury-free policies at local and national level; and promote a strong global mercury treaty to be adopted in 2013. IPEN's Mercury-Free Campaign reflects the alarming international level of human and environmental health threats posed by mercury and aims to build a highly effective and robust base of civil society and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across the globe to support the development of a strong global mercury treaty. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 reduce health threats for millions of Americans. For the first time ever, we are working to prevent short-term exposures in high risk NO2 zones like urban communities and areas near roadways,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Improving air quality is a top priority for this EPA. We’re moving into the clean, sustainable economy of the 21st century, defined by expanded innovation, stronger pollution standards and healthier communities.” The agency set the new one-hour standard for NO2 at a level of 100 parts per billion (ppb). EPA also is retaining the existing annual average standard of 53 ppb. NO2 is formed from vehicle, power plant and other industrial emissions, and contributes to the formation of fine particle pollution and smog. Earlier this month, EPA proposed to tighten the nation’s smog standards to protect the health of all Americans, especially children. EPA is establishing new monitoring requirements in urban areas that will measure NO2 levels around major roads and across the community. Monitors must be located near roadways in cities with at least 500,000 residents. Larger cities and areas with major roadways will have additional monitors. Community-wide monitoring will continue in cities with at least 1 million residents. Working with the states, EPA will site at least 40 monitors in locations to help protect communities that are susceptible and vulnerable to elevated levels of NO2. The new standard will help protect Americans from NO2 exposures linked to respiratory illnesses that lead to emergency room visits and hospital admissions, particularly in at-risk populations such as children, the elderly, and asthmatics. EPA expects to identify or designate areas not meeting the new standard, based on the existing community-wide monitoring network, by January 2012. New monitors must begin operating no later than January 1, 2013. When three years of air quality data are available from the new monitoring network, EPA intends to redesignate areas as appropriate. Read more about Strengthened US Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 and Health Action Plan (EHAP) – a strategy which is designed to give the EU the scientific information to reduce the adverse health impacts of environmental factors and to endorse better cooperation between actors in the environment, health and research fields. The AIRMEX study monitored indoor, outdoor and individual exposure to selected chemical compounds across the EU. The researchers found that levels of many harmful air pollutants are greater indoors than outdoors, and even higher when measured on the individual themselves. The levels of the chemical compound benzene – a known carcinogen - were found to be worryingly high and indicate higher exposure than what is normally expected with the annual EU limit values for ambient air quality. The study examined the impact of mixtures of chemicals on human lung cells. Results indicate that chemical compounds interact and the effects on human health will alter depending on the other chemicals present. The findings suggest that the multiple affects of indoor air pollutants depends on other factors unique to the individual, such as gender, stress, and genetic background. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 (CLRTAP) and the EU National Emissions Ceiling (NEC) directive, whereas GHGs are regulated by the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). However, in addition to affecting human health and damaging crops, many pollutants also affect the climate. For example, sulphur dioxide and organic carbon have a cooling effect on the climate, whilst black carbon has a warming effect. Methane is included in the Kyoto Protocol, but is not directly considered in air quality regulations, even though it contributes to the formation of ozone. The researchers suggest it would be more cost-effective to link air pollution and climate change policies, since reducing air pollution would also bring about climate change benefits. In this study, the researchers estimated the monetary damage of air pollution on human health and crop production, and then estimated the value of damages caused by one ton of each of the pollutants on climate change. The economic benefits of reducing pollutant emissions on health and crops were compared with the value of reducing pollutant emissions when the impact on climate change was also considered. For this study, the efficiency gains depend on the price of carbon: it was assumed that this would average €60 per ton over a 100 year period. Optimal policies to reduce emissions from air pollution based on health and crop damage could result in avoided damages for the EU of around €34.4 billion. If the effects of pollutants on climate are also included, total savings of about €36.9 billion could be achieved. The integrated approach thus yields a substantial efficiency gain of €2.5 billion. The researchers suggest that by including climate change damage in air pollution strategies, greater amounts could be spent on abatement measures since the benefits would be enhanced. According to the study, the greatest gains from the integrated approach are distributed among emissions from several sectors. In particular, efforts to reduce methane in the residential and agricultural sectors would be doubled; while increased efforts in reducing emissions in the transport sector can avoid significant additional damage, especially from particulate matter such as black carbon. Including the climate change damage of pollutants can increase the benefits of abatement, thereby reducing overall costs. The study suggests near-term benefits for climate change can be achieved by reducing PM and ozone precursors in addition to targeting CO2 and other long-lived GHGs. Source: Tollefsen, P., Rypdal, K., Torvanger, A., Rive, N. (2009). Air pollution policies in Europe: efficiency gains from integrating climate effects with damage costs to health and crops. Environmental Science and Policy. 12: 870-881. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to the UNECE Convention on Long-range transboundary Air Pollution. The Protocol on POPs was signed in 1998 and entered into force in 2003 to curtail and eliminate POPs. Three of the substances which now fall under the Protocol are to be phased out in the 29 countries which have signed the Protocol. However, 20 countries need to ratify the changes for them to enter into force. The US Environmental Protection Agency EPA has introduced a new national one-hour Air Quality Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). The new standard is designed to prevent short-term exposures in high risk NO2 zones like urban communities and areas near roadways, to protect from NO2 exposures which are linked to respiratory illnesses. Compared to the EU, the new one-hour standard is stricter. The deadline for monitoring the new standard is 2013. HEAL and HEAL members' action on air quality and health HEAL featured in the Parliament Magazine A breath of fresh air? Strong progress in the treatment and management of allergic conditions should not cause us to overlook possibilities for prevention. Read the full article European Launch of the Year of the Lung 2010 held in Marseille on February 1st by HEAL member, the European Respiratory Society. Hundreds of millions of people suffer every day from lung diseases, and they cause almost 20% of all deaths in the world. Increased awareness about lung diseases is vital, because they are killing more and more people every year and account for a socioeconomic burden of €102 billion due to health care costs and lost working days in Europe alone. The ‘Big Five’ lung disorders are lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB) and asthma. Read the press release here. Join the Year of the Lung initiative |
| 08/02/2010 | WHO: Moving on from Copenhagen As part of HEAL’s ongoing partnership with the Public Health and Environment (PHE) e-News from the World Health Organisation, each issue of HEAL news will feature an article from PHE. This month, Dr Maria Neira, Director of Public Health and Environment at the WHO explains the next steps from Copenhagen towards a healthy planet. 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 move from talking about "inconvenient" to "convenient" truths. Former US Vice-President Al Gore has done a tremendous service by describing the inconvenient truth that our current energy choices are threatening the planet. Over the past 20 years, WHO has also assembled and reported on the evidence that climate change endangers health. Indeed, the 1992 UNFCCC itself is based on such warnings, aiming to avoid "adverse effects"; on human health and wellbeing, on the natural environment, and on economies. But we believe that the time has come for more positive messages. The transition that we must make to address climate change should not be seen as a painful economic cost, but as a valuable investment in a more sustainable, fairer and healthier future. From the health perspective, we see a range of good news stories. The first is that policies to mitigate climate change can be implemented through existing mechanisms to protect health and wellbeing. Last month, the US Environmental Protection Agency finalized its ruling that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health, and can therefore be regulated in the same way as conventional pollutants. The link between climate change and health, and existing health protection laws, have therefore become the cornerstone for regulation of greenhouse gases in the world's largest economy. The second is that, in the short to medium term, we can protect people from climate change, and bring immediate health improvements. Proven, cost-effective interventions, from heatwave warning systems, to expanding access to water and sanitation, to vector control, could save millions of lives immediately, and improve resilience to future climate change. The strength of the global health community is now aligning itself behind this agenda, through a 2008 World Health Assembly Resolution adopted by 193 nations. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, many of the changes that we need to make to address climate change could bring very large public health benefits. A series of studies, supported by WHO and published in the Lancet at the end of 2009, has now quantified some of the direct health benefits that would come from more sustainable energy, transport, and agricultural systems. These estimated, for example, that a 10 year programme to provide 150 million clean-burning cookstoves in India would not only reduce greenhouse forcing from black carbon, but would also save approximately 2 million lives - roughly equivalent to halving the national burden of disease from cancer. Shifting to more sustainable urban transport, with greater use of public and active modes, would be expected to reduce cardiovascular disease by between 10-25% in both developed and developing cities, and bring similar cuts in diseases from dementia to breast cancer. Such benefits are not only immediate and local, making them attractive to policy makers and public, but their economic value would partly or completely offset the costs of mitigation. These positive messages all have practical implications. The success of the EPA ruling suggests that other countries should look closely at using existing health protection regulations to address greenhouse gases. The strong overlap between adaptation and public health prevention calls for greater engagement and strengthening of existing health services as a key resource in responding to climate change. And the potential for valuable health cobenefits calls for prioritization of those mitigation actions that would bring the largest health gains. As we find our way forward after Copenhagen, we need to make clear that we aim to support the most effective polices, informed by the best possible science, but, most importantly, guided by our values. In WHO's view, the values that should guide our response to climate change are the same as those that guide our work in public health; the drive to improve lives, protect the weakest, and enhance fairness. The health community is a willing partner in addressing this challenge. More on climate change and human health. Read the latest edition of the PHE news |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 reduction pledges to the UNFCCC Secretariat by 31 January 2010. The target agreed for the EU is the 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, with a conditional move to 30% if other countries move forth. 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 Dalli heard by the European Parliament. Environment, Janez Potočnik. Article: New EU Commissioner for Environment,Potočnik, to prioritise green growth and biodiversity. Commission White Paper: Adapting to Climate Change: towards a European framework for action. Rapporteur: MEP Prodi Vittorio The Draft report was discussed in the European Parliament's ENVI Committee on 25 January. Next steps will a be deadline for report amendments on 12 February 12 followed by a vote in the ENVI Committee on 16 March and in European Parliament Plenary in April. HEAL and HCWHE welcome the inclusion of a chapter on health and social policies in the report, but call for a strengthening of the section to highlight the important role of the health sector, the need to address respiratory impacts and health co-benefits. HEAL’s action on climate change and health HEAL and HCWHE wrote letters to Spanish Presidency, Commissioner President Barroso and EU Environment Ministers asking them to ensure Mexico delivers a FAB (fair, ambitious, binding) deal, one with ambitious EU targets (-40% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels) and adequate financing to developing country mitigation and adaptation efforts. We called on the EU to pledge a 40% target on 31 January, as this would be more in line with keeping global temperatures to below 2°C and avert dangerous climate change. Read the press release here. 11 January - Anne Stauffer attended a Workshop on “Policy Options for climate change and Health”, organised by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. 12 January - Anne attended the Meeting of the WHO Europe Task Force which discussed the draft for the WHO Europe Document: Protecting health in environment challenged by climate change: A European Regional Framework for Action. HEAL and HCWHE have started discussions with MEPs on the EP Report on Adapting to Climate Change. We believe MEPs can make the report stronger by including a range of health impacts, the effects on vulnerable groups such as respiratory patients, children and the elderly, as well as highlighting the importance of the health sector in adaptation. Your Action You can still sign the Prescription For a Healthy Planet as an individual or organisation - and encourage others in your network to do so too. Sign up here... Already, over 100 health organisations and 120 individuals have signed up to the campaign, this number continues to rise daily – see the list of endorsers on the new website Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 December 2009 urging the EU to take a stronger leadership role. Now we are concerned that the EU and its 27 Member States will miss another opportunity to lead the fight against climate change and to protect health. Our new request comes prior to the informal EU Council meeting on 11 February, where climate change is expected to be on the agenda. By pledging a 40% emissions reduction target, the EU could re-claim its leadership role and help foster a breakthrough for a fair, ambitious and binding climate change agreement at the COP 16 in Mexico later this year (i) Under the Copenhagen Accord, industrialised countries were asked to register their formal emissions reduction pledges for 2020 with the UNFCCC Secretariat by 31 January 2010. The EU and its Member States have committed to an independent quantified economy-wide emissions reduction target of 20% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels, with a conditional increase to 30% “under the conditions set out by the European Council of December 2009(ii)”. HEAL and HCWHE consider this position to be inadequate. “Climate change is already causing hundreds of additional deaths each day around the world, and higher temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events are exacerbating some of the major causes of diseases. A 40% domestic target, would significantly improve people’s health in Europe, reduce rising healthcare costs and protect our fragile ecosystems,” explained Dr Pendo Maro, Senior Climate and Policy Advisor, Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWHE) and Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL). The health sector is committed to a fair, ambitious and binding international climate change treaty that provides for public health, drastically reduces greenhouse gas emissions, promotes alternative, renewable energy and provides significant funding for developing countries to adapt and mitigate. (i) The meeting is expected to take place November-December 2010. (ii) 5794/10, Letter by the (Spanish) Presidency and the Commission to the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, 27 January 2010. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 2004. But South Africa and other signatories - where malaria is endemic - can continue to use DDT to control the mosquitoes that spread malaria, which the World Health Organization estimates kills more than 700,000 African children every year. Countries that continue to use DDT claim it remains the most effective and inexpensive prevention against mosquito-borne malaria. However, it is known the insects can develop resistance to this and other chemical control methods, such as pyrethroid pesticides, thus Stockholm signatories that still use DDT are urged to find replacements. In South Africa, DDT has been sprayed annually since 1945 in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, where the researchers focused their study. The province has the country’s highest incidence of malaria, and the district the highest prevalence. The team, led by andrologist Riana Bornman of the University of South Africa, Pretoria, used government records from 1995 to 2003 that document the villages (though not the individual homes) where DDT was sprayed indoors. Province records were lacking for the years 1980 and 1994. Team members examined more than 7,000 male and female babies born between 2004 to 2006 to local women who agreed to answer questionnaires in hospital. Report findings The researchers found that 11% of 3,310 baby boys born in their study cohort had at least one of several urinary and genital (urogenital) malformations. According to the team’s analyses, mothers exposed to household DDT spraying in the five to nine years before the study began had a 33% greater chance than unexposed mothers of having a son with such defects. The researchers also saw greater risk in women who were homemakers than in mothers employed outside the home. The rate of urogenital malformations in local baby boys is incredibly high, says Jordi Sunyer, co-director of the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona—the global average is estimated at about 2%. This finding alone is important, Sunyer says. But mothers from unsprayed villages also gave birth to boys with nearly the same rate of urogenital malformations, at about 10%, points out Frank Sullivan, an independent consultant in toxicology at London consultancy Harrington House. That rate points to possible confounding circumstances, Sullivan suggests: for instance, the people living in the region could be genetically prone to such abnormalities, or they may be exposed to some other environmental factor that triggers such outcomes, for example pesticide residues in foods. In fact, the team attempted to control for such factors as eating patterns and alcohol consumption. Sullivan also points out that previous generations of women in some of the villages were exposed to DDT spraying for malaria control between 1945 and 1979, raising the possibility of intergenerational impacts. Sunyer says biological samples may be the only way to confirm a connection between exposure to DDT and birth outcomes. Measuring the impacts of DDT Concentrations of DDT and its metabolites in blood or milk collected throughout pregnancy or lactation could pinpoint exactly when mothers had the highest levels in their bodies and be compared against rates of malformations or other adverse health effects in offspring. Sunyer also wants to investigate whether mixtures of DDT and other chemical compounds might contribute to defects. The new study is a step toward an assessment of DDT’s impacts in an effort to judge the costs and benefits of spraying, according to scientists outside the work. Sullivan points out that thousands of children in such regions would die of malaria without such DDT spraying programs. Current strategies across Africa and elsewhere include not only indoor spraying but also development of new drugs and use of insecticide-treated bed nets. Moving forward A full assessment of the costs and benefits of spraying programs has yet to be conducted, says Sunyer. Researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences plan to lead a follow-up study on DDT and birth defects in South Africa. Meanwhile, a review of DDT’s health risks will be presented at the February 2010 meeting of the parties to the Stockholm convention, and later in the year the International Programme on Chemical Safety is expected to issue an updated Environmental Health Criteria monograph on the human and environmental health effects of the pesticide. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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. The ENVI Committee is scheduled to vote on its report on 26 April. HEAL’s action on pesticides and health In January HEAL published a report together with PAN UK on its findings from a school survey. The results are alarming: in schools, children may be exposed to at least four potentially cancer causing pesticides. The snapshot of English, Welsh and Scottish school authorities also revealed that 7 of the pesticides used in schools may have other serious negative health impacts. The report was picked up well in UK media - see more here. On 19th January, as part of the Sick of Pesticides campaign, HEAL and member organisation MDRGF launched a new campaign to help victims of pesticide poisoning. The launch of Victimes des pesticides held in Poiters, France brought together farmers from throughout France whose health has been affected by pesticides, some giving powerful testimonials about their illnesses. The UK Ecologist published an article about the "victimes de pesticides" network –Pesticides and cancer: victims fight for justice, 4 Feb 2010. HEAL will be extending the Sick of Pesticide Campaign to three new countries – the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary. Check out our campaign website for further information. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 promised to “replace products with the Classification 1 of the World Health Organisation with products of lower toxicity”. Further to this, the company acknowledges that “crop protection products may not always be used correctly under certain circumstances in some Third World countries”. CBG, amongst a host of other environment and health groups, believe that the safe use of class 1 pesticides is not possible- particularly in countries in the global south, due to poverty, illiteracy and other social conditions as well as tropical climatic conditions which do not permit the wearing of protective gear. The WHO estimates 25 million people a year are poisoned by pesticides, with at least 40,000 people are killed accidentally by pesticides every year - the estimated number of unreported cases is much higher. According to CBD, Bayer pesticides contribute enormously to the thousands of deaths and millions of pesticide poisonings each year. As yet, their promise to replace their products containing extremely hazardous active ingredients in WHO Class 1a and 1b (including Thiodicarb, Disulfoton, Triazophos, Fenamiphos and Methamidophos) remains unfulfilled. CBD is also demanding for an immediate ban on the herbicide glufosinate and a suspension of all approvals of glufosinate-resistant crops. A European Food Safety Authority evaluation states that glufosinate poses a high risk to mammals. The substance is classified as reprotoxic, with laboratory experiments causing premature birth, intra-uterine death and abortions in rats. The European Parliament voted last year to ban pesticides classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction. Previous campaigns have been sucessfull In recent years, under strong public pressure, Bayer have pulled several class 1 products from the market. These included methyl and ethyl parathion, monocrothophos, oxydemeton-methyl, azinphos-methyl, amitraz and trichlorphon. Only six months ago Bayer committed to end the distribution of the pesticide endosulfan by the end of 2010. The decision came after years of global campaigning against this persistent pesticide, which is linked to autism, birth defects and male reproductive harm, as well as deaths and acute injuries to farmers through direct contact. Fatalities could be reduced significantly by the cessation of the sale of all class I substances. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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. The recommendations are divided into five categories; • Prevent exposure at home - learn how to make informed choices in your home life that can positively affect your health and the health of the ones you love; • Prevent exposure at work - learn how many substances used in different jobs, present in office buildings or used in workplace renovation projects are toxic to reproductive health and about your right to a safe and healthy work environment; • Prevent exposure in your community - learn how to reduce pollution in your community and limit your exposure to pollution in outdoor air; • Become a smart consumer - find links to consumer guides that will help you find non-toxic products; • Make the government work for you - learn how you can influence public policy and support policies that stop chemical pollution in the first place. The online version and further resources are available on the website. Toxic Matters is the latest addition to advancing PRHE’s mission to create healthier environments for human reproduction and development by advancing scientific inquiry, clinical care and health policies that prevent exposures to harmful chemicals in our environment. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 be published as part of the work of the European Strategy on Endocrine Disruption, which is now in its 10th year. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), following discussions and a decision in its Member State Committee, has placed 14 more chemicals on Europe’s ‘most harmful’ list: the ‘Candidate List’ of substances of very high concern. One of the chemicals is Diisobutyl phthalate. In the next months, these chemicals will be examined to see which should be prioritized to go through the strict permission process called ‘Authorisation’, and the Agency will hold a public consultation on this topic. Details on the 14 chemicals can be found here ECHA has been tasked by the European Commission to evaluate the newest scientific evidence on phthalates. On the basis of the report, the Commission will decide whether to reexamine the existing bans of phthalates in toys and childcare articles, and whether other bans on phthalates in other articles used by children are necessary (clothing, school supplies, etc). The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) will discuss the proposed legislation governing the use of hazardous chemicals in electric and electronic goods (ROHS) on the 23rd February. The EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) will be developing its opinion on the ‘migration limits’ set for elements such as arsenic, lead and mercury in toys in the recently revised EU Toy Directive. Limit values were set for arsenic, cadmium, chromium VI, lead, mercury and organic tin among others. DG Enterprise has requested the committee to assess whether the migration limits are set on a ‘sound scientific basis’ and are safe, whether new scientific data on Tolerable Daily Intake (TDIs) levels requires an improvement of the Toys Safety Directive. The report is expected in May 2010. HEAL’s action on chemicals and health HEAL in partnership with other NGOs is preparing a joint position paper on hazardous chemicals in electric and electronic goods (ROHS), which will be presented to European Parliamentarians in the Environment Committee. Your action The candidate list includes another 14 chemicals, including two more plasticisers. You can contact companies and ask retailers, using our ‘right to know’ model letter (8 languages), to find out which of these most harmful chemicals are in products you buy or have bought. Mor info here. The list of most harmful chemicals is growing far too slowly, hampering your full right to know about toxics in consumer products. You can help get more chemicals regulated under REACH, and strengthen the Right to Know by urging your government to nominate harmful chemicals. Use our model letter here to contact the relevant ministry in your country (our list has details for all 27 Member States). The ministries are deciding now for the next deadline in early August, so now is a good time to contact them. Until 19 February 2010, The European Commission is conducting a Public consultation on its Nanotechnology Action Plan 2010-2015. The consultation is very suitable for the expression of non-specialist and non-expert views. It is via a multiple choice questionnaire on an internet form that takes about 15-20 minutes, and covers benefits, risks, concerns and opinions about current governance, etc. More information here. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 adoption in May 2010. The meeting will allow Member States to contribute any relevant national work in support of the finalisation of EFSA's opinion. Members of EFSA’s Advisory Forum have been asked to nominate national experts to take part in the meeting alongside members of the CEF Panel's working group on BPA. Read the RES press release in French here European Food Safety Authority invites experts to discuss Bisphenol A. The US Food and Drink Association reverses stance on BPA, saying it is now "taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply." Update on Bisphenol A (BPA) for Use in Food: January 2010. EFSA published scientific opinions on BPA in January 2007 and July 2008. In October 2009, EFSA received a further request from the European Commission to assess the relevance of a new study on possible neurodevelopmental effects of BPA and, if necessary, to update the existing Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) accordingly. • Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to 2,2-BIS(4-HYDROXYPHENYL)PROPANE • Toxicokinetics of Bisphenol A - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food additives, Flavourings, Processing aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) This news comes at a timely moment. The 5th Feburary saw the French food safety authority (Agence Francaise de Securite Sanitaire des Aliments, Afssa) recoginse the existence of health threats from Bisphenol A. In a report released last week, Afssa acknowledge new elements and alarming signals, particularly in behavior and reproduction following pre and post natal exposure to BPA, according to an article in Le Monde. However, whilst it is positive to see that Afssa’s new position on BPA is one that recognises the existence of alarming indications, French environment and health groups say that it falls short of the mark. HEAL member Le Réseau Environnement Santé (RES) states that Afssa have failed to draw on the necessary consequences and provide no evidence for harmful impacts on BPA on human health. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 Health and Food Safety, urging them to support a change (amendment) to proposed legislation on food information to consumers which would ensure that fish and fish products are labeled indicating methylmercury content, and warning vulnerable groups. Read the letter: Environment and Health NGOs’ comments on labelling of foodstuffs: Environment Committee’s report on the proposed regulation on food information to consumers Your action You can contact Members of the European Parliament in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee and ask them to support the amendment on food information to consumers which would ensure that fish and fish products are labeled indicating methylmercury content, and warning vulnerable groups (Amendment 541). For more information on contacting your MEPs before the scheduled vote in mid March, please ask Lisette. Note that MEPs usually vote according to their political groups, which decide their positions on amendments up to two weeks before the vote. Therefore it is best to contact your MEPs during February. Find out more about mercury levels in fish and how you can protect yourself by downloading the factsheet Mercury and fist consumption in several EU languages, published as part of our Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury campaign. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 6th - 8th January - Twenty young people, including Alina Bezhenar, from the CEHAPE Youth Network met in the HEAL offices 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. 11 January - Anne Staufferattended a Workshop on “Policy Options for climate change and Health”, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. 12 January - Anne attended the Meeting of the WHO Europe Task Force which discussed the draft for the WHO Europe Document: Protecting health in environment challenged by climate change: A European Regional Framework for Action. 12th – 14 January – Genon Jensen and Anne Stauffer attended the Third high-level preparatory meeting towards the 5th Ministerial Conference on Health and Environment, Italy. Alina, HEAL's Environment and health youth coordinator attended as an official CEHAPE youth delegate. More than 100 representatives of member states, IGOs, NGOs and other organisations came to the final round of negotiations of the draft ministerial declaration in Bonn, Germany. The final declaration text of this two-day meeting will be sent to all 53 environment and health ministers for adoption during the Parma Ministerial Conference. January 19th - HEAL and member organisation MDRGF organised a workshop as part of its campaign to help victims of pesticide poisoning. The launch of Victimes des pesticides held in Poiters, France brought together farmers from throughout France whose health has been affected by pesticides, some giving powerful testimonials about their illnesses. January 19th – Lisette Van Vliet participated in the CHE Science Cafe Call ‘A Conversation with Elizabeth Grossman, author of Chasing Molecules. January 21st – Lisette participated in the CHE Partnership Call ‘Upstream: Complex Chemical Contributors to Thyroid Function and the Potential Impacts on Policy’ January 28th – Lisette attended the 2nd meeting of the EU partnership of Action Against Cancer in Luxembourg. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 voice to persuade cancer charities and medical and governmental bodies that make the decisions on cancer policy in the UK to respond to the body of existing scientific evidence on environmental and occupational risks for cancer. Drawing on the work of Professors Rory O'Neill and Andrew Watterson of Stirling University, the Alliance considers that tens of thousands of people in the UK endure potentially fatal diseases that could have been prevented by simple, affordable changes to the substances and processes used by industry. At its first meeting in November 2009, the Alliance raised questions such as; how the UK Government plan to respond to the European Partnership Against Cancer. This document states that: "Cancer is caused by many factors and therefore its prevention shall address on equal footing the lifestyle, occupational and environmental causes". European Commission, European Partnership for Action Against Cancer The Alliance seeks to point to the progressive work undertaken in other countries, such as the report from the Endocrine Society. (Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals:An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. (Dec 2009)). It calls for the American Medical Association (AMA) to work with federal government to enact new federal policies to decrease the public's exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been accepted. In January 2010, the Alliance called on the Westminster Health Forum to organise a conference on primary prevention focused on the environment and occupational risk factors for cancer. For more info about the alliance, please contact Helen Lynn, Alliance Facilitator. Helen helenlynn@btinternet.com - Alliance members include: GMB, Hazards Campaign, Integrated Health Trust, National Alliance of Women's Organisations, No More Breast Cancer Campaign, Pesticides Action Network (PAN UK), Scottish Hazards Campaign, Prof. Andrew Watterson & Prof. Rory O'Neill, Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group. Stirling University, UNISON, UNITE, Breast Cancer UK, Women's Environmental Network Scotland. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 Dalli heard by the European Parliament. Environment, Janez Potočnik. Article: New EU Commissioner for Environment,Potočnik, to prioritise green growth and biodiversity. Official minutes from the EU Consultative Forum on Environment and Health in December 2009 now available which highlight policy priorities and countries commitment for a second Environment and Health Action Plan in 2011. The final third high-level preparatory meeting towards the 5th WHO Europe Ministerial Conference on Health and Environment took place 13-14 January in Bonn to negotiate the final text for the Ministerial Declaration and Commitment to Act, and finalise the conference agenda. The new designated WHO Regional Director for Europe, Zsuzsana Jakab, highlighted her commitment to the environment and health process as a priority in WHO’s work, as it formed an important part of a wider strategy on making progress in health in other policies. Cancer is one of the priority diseases in the current EU Action Plan on Environment and Health. The European Partnership on Action Against Cancer held its second meeting in late January. The meeting was to discuss and organise work that will be put in a combined action package, including work on cancer prevention and the package submitted for Commission funding under the EU Health Programme. HEAL’s action on environment and health HEAL sent out a joint NGO report with European Eco Forum and Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) on the Bonn third high level meeting, and gathered nominations for the official health NGO delegation to the Parma Ministerial Conference. HEAL’s Toxics Policy Advisor Lisette van Vliet participated in the second EU Partnership on Cancer meeting. More details can be obtained through our ‘Cancer and Environmental Prevention’ mailing list. - Recent media coverage on HEAL and environment and health. HEAL in the media Your Action Write to your national environment and health focal points to find out what steps your country has taken to implement the Regional Priority Goals for children’s environmental health, which were adopted at the last WHO Ministerial Conference in Budapest in 2004. Please contact Anne Stauffer for more information. Let us know if you would like to jointly launch the results of the Second CEHAPE Good Practice Awards on Children’s Environmental Health on March 11 in your country, and join our media efforts with WECF. Please contact Gill Erskine. Feedback: Are you involved as an NGO in national environment and health action plans? Or development of child specific ones? And how do you think these plans have made a difference to your work? Contact Anne Stauffer. Keep up to date with the latest health and environment news - follow HEAL on Twitter. |
| 08/02/2010 | 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 countries will gather to discuss progress on the Environment and Health process in Europe; children’s environmental health; inequalities in environment and health and the health effects of climate change; as well as other emerging issues such as nanotechnology and endocrine disrupters. Health delegation HEAL alongside member organisations, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) and the International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), and in conjunction with Eco Forum, have been closely involved in this process up to Parma and are coordinating the participation of representatives from the health and environment community from across the European region. Throughout three day conference there will be exhibitions, side events and an award ceremony celebrating good practice in environment and health (CEHAPE Awards). An NGO strategy meeting will be held on March 9, as well as daily briefings. Background to Parma The presence of experts and NGOs is of crucial importance to drive Europe’s agenda on emerging environmental health challenges for the years to come. At the beginning of January of this year, more than 100 representatives of member states, IGOs, NGOs and other organisations came to the final round of negotiations of the draft ministerial declaration and Commitment to Act in Bonn. The final declaration text is expected to be adopted by all 53 environment and health ministers during the Parma Ministerial Conference and is available in English, French, German and Russian. Countries will also discuss how to ensure that the environment and health process and structures are reformed to increase political support and impact as outlined in the document entitled The Future of the 'European Environment and Health Process'. Sascha Gabizon (WECF) representing Eco Forum on behalf of the environmental NGOs (sascha.gabizon@wecf.eu) and Genon Jensen, representing Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) on behalf of the health NGOs (genon@env-health.org) attended the EEHC meeting, and the Ministerial Declaration drafting group meeting in Bonn. Action at Parma 2nd CEHAPE Good Practice Awards On the morning of Thursday 11th March we will be announcing the winners of our 2nd Awards Competition on good projects for Children’s Environmental Health. Children’s health continues to be a leading concern; their health is at risk from a changing environment. The 2nd CEHAPE Awards will highlight inspiring and innovative projects, from around the European region, that promote children’s environment and health. The winning entries will be exhibited during the conference. The 2nd CEHAPE Awards have been developed jointly by WECF, HEAL, ISDE Austria and European Eco Forum, and are sponsored by the governments of Austria, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the Belgian joint-interministerial Conference on Environment and Health and supported by the European Commission. Side events HEAL and WECF will also host two side events on Wednesday Morning 10th of March. Young people’s role in environment and health HEAL together with the CEHAPE Youth Network will showcase good examples of youth participation. The Right to Safe Water and Sanitation in School WECF together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will address how best to implement and finance safe water and sanitation in particular for rural schools in the EECCA region following the Protocol on Water and Health. The programme includes panel debates and discussions with representatives of the Water & Health Protocol financial instrument (AHPFM), the United Nations Development Programme, the World Health Organisation Europe, Ministries of Environment and Health for the EU-EECCA region, science and civil society. Showcasing NGOs contributions to environment and health HEAL will host an interactive exhibition highlighting its advocacy work and that of its members and other health NGO statekeholders in Europe since the Budapest Ministerial conference. Toxic-free WECF will host a Nesting Exhibition, providing an overview of their Project Nesting - run by partners in eight European countries. More information here. Respiratory health The European Respiratory Society (ERS) will be highlighting current environmental influences and policy frameworks on children’s respiratory health as part of their wider initiative – 2010 Year of the Lung during a side event on March 10th. Child Injury WHO regional office of Europe will be hosting as side event on childhood injury, including presentations from the European Commission and HEAL member – European Child Safety Alliance. The event will highlight the magnitude and burden of childhood injury and proven evidence - based measures to reduce their impact. Beyond Parma The March HEAL newsletter will feature a full progress report from the ministerial conference as well as information and news from the 2nd CEHAPE Good Practice Awards and the various side events. |
| 08/02/2010 | Making waves on pesticides in France and UK A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe Making waves on pesticides in France and UK 2010 will be a decisive year for our Sick of Pesticides Campaign, which aims to highlight the adverse health effects of pesticides and provide educational, advocacy and legal tools for local groups, schools and farmers to become involved in policy change. The new EU pesticides package (for authorisation and use of pesticides) has great potential for better health protection, yet it really depends on how governments will develop and follow-through on national pesticide reduction action plans. First steps will be setting up plans by 2012, and making sure that they include quantitative objectives, targets, measures and timetables to reduce risks and impacts of pesticide use, and to ensure public participation. We are urging all Member States to report on how they are minimizing or completely banning pesticide use in areas used by the public or vulnerable groups. The UK is one of the countries soon to launch its public consultation on the National Action Plan. The results of our UK School Survey as part of HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides Campaign underline the need to phase out the use of pesticides in schools as a priority issue. Responses to the HEAL and PAN UK survey from local authorities are quite alarming: Children may be exposed to at least four potentially cancer causing pesticides in their schools (the final report is available here. We encourage individuals and organisations to use the survey to find out which pesticides are being used in their local schools (for more information please contact Anne Stauffer). The survey also highlights the use of hazardous biocides and the need for more control. The EU Biocides Law is now being revised with important discussions in the European Parliament (and the Council of Environment Ministers). HEAL is working together with partners PAN Europe, Women in Europe for a Common Future and others to ensure that there are strict exclusion criteria for hazardous biocides, that the specific needs of vulnerable groups are recognised and that biocidal products with nano-silver are subject to a health-check before being allowed onto the market (read more here). As part of our French Sick of Pesticides Activities, HEAL together with our member organisation “Mouvement pour le droit et le respect des generations futures“ (MDRGF) launched what is probably Europe’s first network for people with health problems related to pesticide exposure, Victimes des Pesticides. At a recent meeting, French pesticide victims joined forces for better legal recognition and compensation and to highlight the need for better protection against hazardous pesticides ( Read more here) This year, HEAL will be extending the Sick of Pesticides Campaign to three further countries – the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary – to bring health concerns and expertise to the National Action Plans, and to advocate for ambitious reduction targets and pesticide-free zones. We want to ensure that patient and health groups are included in all discussions and decisions on pesticide reduction measures. A variety of activities are planned through a coalition of our members and groups. Please let us know if you’re interested in working together with us. This year’s “Week without Pesticides” from 20 – 30 March offers the perfect opportunity to become involved in the call to reduce pesticide use for better health protection. |
| 08/01/2010 | 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 magnitude of the injury issue is evident to most governments, half of the EU member states still lack adequate injury data to guide their prevention actions. The new report, ‘Injuries in the European Union - Statistics Summary 2005 – 2007’, reveals that each year a staggering 7 million people are admitted to hospitals and 35 million people are treated as hospital outpatients as a result of an accident or violence related injury. The 2009 report “Injuries in the EU” presents data collected over the years 2005-2007. It also highlights injury data related to major risk groups and injury causes as identified in the EU Council recommendation on injury prevention and safety promotion: children, adolescents, senior citizens, pedestrians/ bicyclists, sporting activities, consumer products, interpersonal violence and self-harm. Read the full report... About EuroSafe EuroSafe, the European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, represents 45 institutions around the EU that have a mission in safety promotion. EuroSafe act as a catalyst in creating synergies between the distinct sectors, disciplines and stakeholders involved in injury prevention and safety promotion. EuroSafe is: A platform: a relaying point for policy makers and injury prevention professionals for exchanging experiences and initiating collaborative actions; An advocate: a professional organisation that organises a constructive dialogue among stakeholders and influences policy agenda’s at European level and in countries; A resource: a source of information and a pool of collective expertise relevant to injury prevention, generated with a view to empower members and partners. |
| 08/01/2010 | 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 report on the current EU Action plan in early 2010. HEAL’s action on environment and health Youth Workshop From 8 to 10 January, 20 youth representatives will gather in Brussels to discuss the youth input for the WHO 5th Environment and Health Ministerial in Parma, and the current state of children’s environmental health in Europe. The Parma pre-conference youth preparatory workshop is organized by the CEHAPE Youth representatives and co-sponsored by DGSANCO and HEAL. Parma Preparatory Meeting HEAL will be attending the final preparatory meetings for the WHO 5th Environment and Health Ministerial from 12- 14 January in Bonn where member states will continue negotiating the draft Ministerial declaration and the EEHC will finalise the Conference Programme and side events. Youth Blog HEAL launched a youth and health and environment blog - a live portal to bring together the voices of young people from around the world. http://env-health-youth.blogspot.com Recent media coverage on HEAL and environment and health. HEAL in the media Your Action Contribute to the draft progress report on EHAP: HEAL and HEAL members will be providing comments on the progress report. If you would like to provide input please contact Genon. Feedback: Can you provide expertise or participte in any Cancer Partnership workgroup? We can coordinate and exchange information. Please email Lisette van Vliet |
| 08/01/2010 | 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 the global health agenda. The monthly series aims to raise the profile of this important health topic, keep you updated on issues related to public health and environment, and mobilise people through an exchange of information. Each PHE e-News includes links to relevant topics, a listing of upcoming events, recent publications and links to WHO regional offices. Read the PHE e-news To subscribe simply send an email to listserv@who.int with the following text "subscribe HealthandEnvironmentNews" in the body of your email message. |
| 08/01/2010 | 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. The portal is a product of the EU funded HENVINET project. HENVINET is designed for use by key environment and health stakeholders from around the world, such as researchers/scientists, decision makers, representatives of GOs, IGOs, and community interest NGOs, industrial organisations, labour groups, professional and public health associations. HENVINET is a social networking tool that provides an open, transparent and inclusive opportunity of participation to enrich the science based decision making process. It provides Environment and Health professionals and stakeholders anywhere in world with the ability to: Network with peers: Engage with a community of scientists, policymakers and stakeholders to share expertise, views and information. Access the experts: Search for and pinpoint specific expertise, and efficiently communicate and discuss concerns and specific topics with renowned experts. Tackle global challenges: Effectively collaborate within self-forming communities and forums that bring together a relevant portfolio of experts and stakeholders to address the issues at hand. Set the agenda: Shape the agenda of the Environment and Health community by participating in communities and forums discussing hot-topics of today and tomorrow. Share opportunities: Advertise conferences, symposia, research calls, job opportunities and the like to a broad range of professionals HEAL have already signed up and find it extremely useful. You can sign up too. www.henvinet.eu |
| 08/12/2009 | 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 already found to be in compliance with the limit values. In 2009, some 17 decisions have already been adopted. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, using the health frame to justify their decision, says: "Air pollution has serious impacts on human health and compliance with the standards must be our utmost priority. The 2008 EU air quality Directive recognises the difficulties some Member States have experienced in meeting the standards for PM 10 by the initial deadline of 2005 and allows the possibility of a limited time extension. However, the Commission expects Member States to clearly demonstrate that they are doing their utmost to comply with EU standards in the shortest possible time." The Commission has decided that in five air quality zones in Poland the notified exemptions satisfy the conditions in the Directive. In the remaining zones in Poland, as well as all zones in Bulgaria and the United Kingdom, the Commission considered that the conditions have not been met. In many cases, this is because insufficient data has been provided or because the measures outlined in the air quality plans submitted to the Commission do not demonstrate that the standards will be met when the exemption period expires. Read the full press release… More on Air quality legislation EU air quality legislation sets binding limit values and/or indicative target values for the maximum permitted concentrations of certain pollutants in the air. Action to reduce pollution through an air quality plan is required where there is a risk of these standards being exceeded, or when member states apply for derogations. There are two binding air quality limit values for particulate matter (PM 10) based on daily and annual average concentrations. These entered into force on 1 January 2005. Two limit values for Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) based on hourly and annual average concentrations will enter into force on 1 January 2010. The 2008 air quality Directive (2008/50/EC) allows Member States, under strict conditions, time extensions for meeting the air quality standards for PM 10 (until 11 June 2011) and NO 2 and benzene (until 2015 at the latest). During the extension period, limit values continue to apply plus a margin of tolerance. Enforcement action is underway against 10 Member States that have not submitted notifications or to which the Commission has already addressed a decision objecting to a time extension and which continue to exceed the PM 10 limit values (see IP/09/174 ). Exemptions have been made on PM10 limit values in many countries by the Commission’s previous rulings, and further requests can always be put forward by countries. Careful monitoring by the NGO community remains of utmost impost. In reference to the UK decision, the UK campaign group ‘Clean Air in London’, says the decision is a damning and long overdue indictment of the UK’s attitude to air pollution, complying with environmental deadlines and protecting public health. Read more... |
| 08/12/2009 | 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 commitment be made at the UN climate change conferences in December? M Jay and M G Marmot BMJ 2009;339 b3669. 11 December. The BMJ news article about the European Parliament's recognition of health related issues. European parliament says health benefits of fighting climate change must be recognised 1 December CNN WHO wants health issues at heart of climate talks The World Health Organization (WHO) held a "side event" for public health officials in Copenhagen in an effort to put public health at the center of the climate-change debate. WHO wants health issues at heart of climate talks. The Times (UK) - Britain angers poor nations with plan to switch cash from health to climate Threat of funds in the UK being switched from health to climate change. Britain angers poor nations with plan to switch cash from health to climate. Times, London. 10 December Irish Times - Climate change doesn’t just affect the planet – it has human consequences as well Prescription for a Healthy Planet, which quotes HEAL, HCWH and our partners in Ireland, and provides tips on living a healthier life while reducing your carbon footprint Climate change doesn’t just affect the planet – it has human consequences as well. Irish Times, 8 December Voice of America - WHO Warns Climate Change Bad For Health World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan says she is disappointed a deal on climate change was not struck in Copenhagen. But she says important steps were taken that, she believes, will ultimately result in an agreement to stop or retard climate change. WHO Warns Climate Change Bad For Health. Voice of America, 29 December The Sydney Herald - Ruling gives Obama a way to bypass Congress on emissions US EPA announcement on health impact that opened new possibilities for Obama. Ruling gives Obama a way to bypass Congress on emissions. Various, 8 December Philippine Information Agency - Climate change to impact mental health. Philippine Information Agency Risk to mental health from climate change described by Health Care without Harm Executive Director in the Philippines, Maria Ferrer. Climate change to impact mental health. Philippine Information Agency. 12 December 2009 France 24 - Action on climate change 'also averts health crisis' Climate change action/averting a health crisis based on Lancet Series research. Action on climate change 'also averts health crisis'. AFP – Nov 24, 2009 |
| 08/12/2009 | 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 economic growth, promoting environmentally sustainable technologies, reducing energy consumption and securing new jobs in both industrialised and developing countries. The European Parliament sent a delegation of MEPs to COP 15 climate talks in Copenhagen to encourage the EU to taker a stronger lead in negotiations and push for a 30% emission reduction target and ambitious financing package. New EU Presidency: From January – June 2010, the Spanish Presidency of the EU, under Lisbon Treaty – with new EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy will chair EU leaders’ meetings. Their main environmental priorities include post-Copenhagen climate strategy, energy efficiency and biodiversity, among others. Read more here Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: political agreement On 17 November, a political agreement was reached by representatives of the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission’s recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (COD/2008/0223). Next steps: The text agreed has to be formally approved by the Council (possibly before the end of the year) before the full Parliament gives its final endorsement at the beginning of 2010. Once adopted and published in the EU Official Journal, Member States will have two years to bring their national laws into line with the new directive. US EPA announcement: On 7 December, the US Environment Protection Agency declared greenhouse gases a public health threat, meaning that the EPA was "now authorized and obligated to make reasonable efforts" to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Politically this is very significant as it enables President Obama to address climate change at home without waiting for the congress to approve the law and thus may even raise the stakes internationally. The Copenhagen Accord. During the UNFCCC meeting on 7 – 18 December 2009 in Copenhagen World leaders reached a weak agreement that fails to set the emissions targets needed to prevent catastrophic global warming. The agreement was stronger on funding, but it was not binding, and set no urgent deadline to sign a real climate treaty. According to the ‘Copenhagen Accord’, developed counties (Annex I) are supposed to submit to the secretariat, their (voluntary) emissions reduction targets for 2020 by January 31, 2010. Developing countries (Non-Annex I) are supposed to submit their mitigation actions to the secretariat by 31 January 2010. Least developed countries and Small Island developing States may undertake actions voluntarily and on the basis of support. Read the Copenhagen Accord HEAL’s action on climate change and health HEAL/HCWH Post-Copenhagen Position Statement World leaders failed climate and people’s health – HEAL calls for a fair, ambitious and binding agreement in 2010. Read more... Health delegation at Copenhagen: As part HEAL’s campaign to raise awareness of the health effects of climate change and the co-benefits to health of a strong climate change policy, HEAL and our member, Health Care Without Harm, lead a high level health delegation to the second week of the climate negotiations. Over twenty health and environment specialists made up the delegation. During the course of the week, we organised a series of informal health briefings to share intelligence and provide members of the delegation with updates on the key political headlines of the day and identify opportunities to influence the negotiations, and participated in the WHO briefings and side event on protecting health from climate change. The International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA) led a health delegation action in the Bella Center. A leading British doctor from the Climate and Health Council, impersonating a polar bear gave a lesson to the delegates on the health impacts of climate change—particularly its impacts on developing countries. The bear then presented the Prescription for a Healthy Planet to Dr. Maria Neira, Director of Public Health and the Environment for the World Health Organization. The delegation feed into the Prescription for a Healthy Planet campaign – which, over the past few months has gained momentum and international attention. Read all the updates from the health delegation. Recent media coverage on HEAL and climate change and health. HEAL in the media Your Action You can still sign the Prescription as an individual or organisation - and encourage others in your network to do so too. Sign up here.... Already, over 90 health organisations and 120 individuals have signed up to the campaign, this number continues to rise daily – see the list of endorsers on the new website. |
| 08/12/2009 | 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 produce containing known carcinogens and neurotoxins in doses which often vastly exceed even the more relaxed pesticide limits introduced by the EU last year. Customers should insist that their supermarket reveals what chemicals are being used on its food.” “Our tests have revealed endocrine disruptors, which affect human hormones”, said Hans Muilerman, also from PAN Europe. “This reinforces the need for the EU Environmental Council which meets next week to produce a system for assessing endocrines in food and consumer goods and regulate their combined effects.” Fifty-one lettuces and 47 mandarin oranges bought in supermarkets around Bulgaria, Hungary, the Netherlands and Slovakia were tested. The survey discovered that:- • One Bulgarian lettuce contained a gene-mutating compound at over sixty times the permitted level • Nearly all the mandarins analysed (96%) contained pesticide traces • Fruit bought in Dutch supermarkets was highly polluted, containing an average of three pesticides per sample • Procymidone and vinclozolin, illegal and dangerous toxins, were found • Lettuce bought in Slovakia contained seven different pesticide residues including biphenthrin, an agent which interferes with human hormones PAN Europe has campaigned against manipulation of maximum pesticide residue levels in food, where producers pick the highest available level in any EU country. The European Court of Justice is hearing a case brought by PAN against the European Commission challenging the increase in pesticide residues. The EU has begun responding to public concern. In November over 100 residue levels were reduced (some by up to 800 times) because they were unsafe. |
| 08/12/2009 | 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 side-effect of environmental fungicide use?’ finds that through agriculture the resistant fungi is exposed to human lungs through dust. These new findings help to re-inforce calls from the NGO community to bring about a ban of the use of the azoles-group in pesticides Summary Invasive aspergillosis due to multi-azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus has emerged in the Netherlands since 1999, with 6.0—12.8% of patients harbouring resistant isolates. The presence of a single resistance mechanism (denoted by TR/L98H), which consists of a substitution at codon 98 of cyp51A and a 34-bp tandem repeat in the gene-promoter region, was found in over 90% of clinical A fumigatus isolates. This is consistent with a route of resistance development through exposure to azole compounds in the environment. Indeed, TR/L98H A fumigatus isolates were cultured from soil and compost, were shown to be cross-resistant to azole fungicides, and genetically related to clinical resistant isolates. Azoles are abundantly used in the environment and the presence of A fumigatus resistant to medical triazoles is a major challenge because of the possibility of worldwide spread of resistant isolates. Reports of TR/L98H in other European countries indicate that resistance might already be spreading. |
| 08/12/2009 | 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 December 2011, including the setting up of National Action Plans. The EU Council of Environment Ministers held a political debate on the revision of the EU Biocides Directive on December 22 2009. They stressed that environmental criteria should be added to the foreseen cut-off criteria for Biocides. The European Parliament Environment Committee will present its draft report by Christa Klass end February, with the vote scheduled for April. HEAL believes the Commission’s proposal needs to be considerably strengthened to ensure the best protection of human health and include references to protection of vulnerable populations. HEAL’s action on pesticides and health On the 8th December, Lisette Van Vliet participated in the CHE Partnership call "To Ban or Not to Ban: A Review of Atrazine from Both Sides of the Atlantic". Lisette provided an overview of Europe’s decision to ban atrazine, as well as other updates on pesticides policy from Europe Results of HEAL's Sick of Pesticides School Survey are currently being analysed, they will be presented later in January. |
| 08/12/2009 | 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. These substances will be formally added to the Candidate List in January 2010, which will double the number of chemicals on the Candidate List to thirty substances in total. 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, which applies only to chemicals on the candidate list, more meaningful and effective. The fifteen newest chemicals to be added to the candidate list are five anthracene oil and related compounds, coal tar pitch, acrylamide, aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibres, zirconia aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibres, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, diisobutyl phthalate, three lead chromate and related pigments, and tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate. |
| 08/12/2009 | 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). The COPHES project objective is to perform actions designed to develop functional framework that contributes to definition, organization, and management of a coherent approach towards human biomonitoring (HBM) in Europe, including strategies for data interpretation and integration with environmental and health data. The Consortium would also: Investigate what is needed to advance and improve comparability of HBM data across the EU; Provide training and capacity building promoting knowledge and experience exchange and development in the field of human biomonitoring within Europe; and Communicate and disseminate information, results, and key messages to all stakeholders from the public to the policy makers. Also a potential role of HBM in supporting and evaluating current and future policy making and policies, such as REACH, and for environmental health awareness raising will be promoted within this project. COPHES will be funded by the EU under the 7th Framework Programme of the Directorate General Research. More information on this project you can find at www.cophes.eu (forthcoming). |
| 08/12/2009 | 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 - Bringing the results back to the consumers in Brussels. Read the full details of the conference here Lisette also took part in a conference ‘Greening Consumer Electronics - from Hazardous material to Sustainable Solutions’. The conference was held in the European Parliament hosted by the rapporteur on the Revision of RoHS, Jill Evans, and Chemsec, the international chemical secretariat, to discuss the revision of the RoHS and WEEE Directives. Read more here 19th Nov Alison attended the 11th Cefic Long-rang Research Initiative (LRI) Annual workshop. The workshop examined how LRI has put science at contribution towards chemical policies, looking at multi-angle perspectives, including from Policy, Industry, and Academia. You can read more about the conference here 20th Nov Lisette participated in an NGO meeting advising the Joint NGO Representative to the ECHA Management Board, who is now active in a Management Board Subgroup working on ECHA’s policy on public access to information about REACH-registered chemicals. 23rd Nov Gill Erskine participated in the European Environmental Bureau’s Noise Working Group in Brussels. The workshop brought together noise experts from all over Europe to share ideas and discuss strategies for the coming year. 25 Nov Diana Smith attended the launch and press conference of "The Lancet Series on Health and Climate Change: Public health benefits of strategies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions” in London. 26th Nov Monika Kosinska, secretary general of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), spoke on the behalf of HEAL at the 2nd Joint European Public Health Conference in Poland. Monika spoke about 20 years of NGO involvement in Environment and Health in Europe. 30th Nov Lisette, Genon, Sharyle Patton (Commonweal- HEAL partner in the US) and Alison Cohen attended the JRC Workshop human bio-monitoring (HBM) & the Consortium to perform Human bio-monitoring on a European Scale (COPHES). The workshop investigated what is needed to advance and improve comparability of HBM data across Europe. HEAL is an official partner of COPHES. 2nd – 4th Dec Lisette took part in the Meeting of Member State Committee of REACH European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki. The Member State Committee agreed unanimously on a testing proposal from ECHA which was submitted under the REACH regulation at its meeting in Helsinki on 3 December. Read more…. This meeting was followed by the third stakeholders' day of ECHA designed to inform about ECHA's activities and most recent developments and to share views and expectations with ECHA's experts. Read more… 3rd Dec Anne Stauffer participated in a panel discussion in the European Parliament on a European Agenda for Asthma and Allergies. She highlighted the impact of environmental pollution in the rise of asthma and allergies, namely air pollution, and called for future strong EU environmental and climate change policies to best protect people’s health. Also on the 3rd, Marie Christine DeWolf (HEAL President), Genon Jensen and Anne participated in the Consultative Forum on Environment and Health and discussed the Commission’s draft Progress report on the EU Environment and Health Action Plan. Diana Smith attended the press conference organised by HEAL member Reseau Environnement Sante (RES) in the National Assembly in Paris on Bisphenal A. 8th Dec Lisette participated in the CHE Partnership call "To Ban or Not to Ban: A Review of Atrazine from Both Sides of the Atlantic". Lisette provided an overview of Europe’s decision to ban atrazine, as well as other updates on pesticides policy from Europe 9th Dec Lisette participated in an informal roundtable for NGOs, Member State authorities, and Commission officials on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to discuss the way forward for the EU Strategy and better regulation of EDCs in the EU. 12th – 17th Dec HEAL and our member, Health Care Without Harm, lead a high level health delegation to the second week of the climate negotiations in Copenhagen. The health delegation ran a series of informal health briefings to share intelligence and provide members of the delegation with updates on the key political headlines of the day and identify opportunities to influence the negotiations. From the HEAL team, Genon, Anne and Pendo Maro. |
| 08/12/2009 | 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" The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) held the 10th meeting of its Member State Committee to examine the nominations for 15 more chemicals to REACH’s ‘most harmful’ or ‘candidate’ list. Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Policy Advisor, attended the meeting as an observer. HEAL is consistently calling for a swifter pace of nominations and approvals, and monitoring the process closely with respect to certain chemicals, for example phthalates which are toxic to reproduction and endocrine disruptors. For more details, contact Lisette The European Parliament is preparing its own report on the European Commission’s Communication on Cancer. The lead committee is ENVI, with opinions from the Gender and Industry/Research committees. HEAL is in contact with the relevant parliamentarians and closely following this file in order to ensure that the role of environmental factors, specifically chemical contamination is duly recognised, and taken up in actions on prevention of cancer incidence. HEAL’s action on environment and health At the EU Environment ministers meeting, Ministers expressed concerns that the environment and the health of European citizens may not be properly protected from the combined effects of hazardous chemicals, particularly those that can disrupt hormones. However, they decided to postpone any decisions on tackling this problem by reducing the combined exposure to such chemicals. HEAL alongside other environment, health, women’s and consumer organisations welcome the ministers’ recognition of the risks of the so-called ‘cocktail effects’, but warn that what is really needed are urgent measures to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals from various sources and their substitution with safer alternatives. Read the full press release. HEAL participated in the European week on Biomonitoring Nov 30th – Dec 3rd in Brussels, including the JRC workshop, and first meeting the EU funded research project, COPHES, in which HEAL is a partner. HEAL participated in the first meeting for the European Partnership on Action Against Cancer in Brussels on Dec 7th & 8th, and attended the workgroup on prevention issues. HEAL participated in an informal workshop on Endocrine Disruption held on December 9th in Brussels, looking at ways to advance the EU Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Strategy. HEAL participated in and presented updates to an NGO meeting on chemicals politics held by the European Environmental Bureau on December 10th & 11th. Recent media coverage on HEAL and chemicals and health. HEAL in the media Your action You can help get more chemicals regulated under REACH, and strengthen the Right to Know about harmful chemicals in consumer products. Use our model letter to contact your national environment ministry (or the relevant authority- see our list), and urge them to nominate more chemicals to REACH’s ‘most harmful’ list. The next deadline is early February, so now is the time to contact them. Please see here for a model letter, and the details about your ministry. Please join us in our consumer right to know initiative, as we collaborate with other groups this winter and into next year. We are organizing and coordinating specific actions and projects. Please contact Lisette for more details. |
| 08/12/2009 | 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 Union internationally. Amongst Spain’s environmental priorities, will be revising the EU's post-Copenhagen climate strategy, energy efficiency and biodiversity. The prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, is determined that the Spanish Presidency will give ‘decisive impetus to the construction of Europe’, which coincides with the ‘new beginning’ of the Treaty of Lisbon coming into effect. The political programme of the Spanish presidency includes: Consolidating Europe's social agenda, paying special attention to gender equality and the fight against domestic violence. Getting out of the economic crisis. The fundamental aims are restoring job creation and achieving a more competitive Europe, as stated in the Lisbon Strategy. Enabling Europe to speak with its own voice on the international scene and promoting its common values, peace and well-being. Consolidating a safer Union for its citizens, responding to the challenges of immigration and constructing a shared space with judicial and police cooperation. Van Rompuy and Zapatero. |
| 08/12/2009 | World leaders failed climate and people’s health The UN negotiations in December 2009 did not deliver the agreement so badly needed by the world. The Copenhagen Accord is a non-binding declaration without clear commitments from any government. While it recommends specific amounts for funding for developing countries, the voluntary Accord does not stipulate how the money will be spent nor are the amounts adequate. Governments must turn this into a more ambitious and binding agreement in 2010. Read our Post-Copenhagen Position Statement. European civil society groups were especially disappointed that the EU did not show more leadership. If Europe had put at least a 30% emissions reduction target on the table at the right moment, some real progress might have been achieved. From the European health and environment community's perspective, the aim pushing health considerations higher up the agenda was already starting to happen before Copenhagen began. In September, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso speaking in the US had said that climate change was no longer "the reserved province of the environmental community" but also an economic, development and "health issue". A few weeks later, the European Parliament voted in references to health as amendments to its Resolution on Climate Change. Read our press release. At the Copenhagen talks, the high-powered health delegation led by HEAL and HCWH met for regular organised briefings and helped make the Prescription for a Healthy Planet more widely known. Our giant "Prescription" was handed to World Health Organization's Dr Maria Neira during an original and lively event organised by medical students. Read the press release. Dr Robin Stott of Climate and Health Council created hilarity by conducting a "ward round" visit to an ailing patient, the planet, himself dressed as a polar bear. At the WHO "side event" event in Copenhagen, Professor Andrew Haines of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine described major new research published in the leading medical publication The Lancet on the global co-benefits that can accrue as a direct result of many mitigation activities for greenhouse-gas emissions. (Reference: Lancet Series report on Health and Climate Change, 25 November 2009). As a result of HEAL and HCWH taking a delegation to Copenhagen, the global health community has become a constituent part of the civil society movement on climate change. HEAL is now taking part in strategic discussions, and articles on the health perspective have been published in both the Copenhagen civil society publication and the newsletter of the European Climate Action Network (CAN E). Our activities are strongly within the medical sector in Europe. The President of the Standing Committee on European Doctors (CPME), Dr Michael Wilks took a leading role in Copenhagen as part of the HEAL delegation. On his return to Brussels, his editorial was published in the British Medical Journal and for the 27 European medical association membership on the CPME website. The European Respiratory Society, a HEAL member that represents respiratory experts in 100 countries, is publishing an advertisement about the Prescription for a Healthy Planet in its leading magazine "Breathe". ERS has produced a brochure on climate change and respiratory disease, which was shared widely in Copenhagen and is available here. Looking ahead, HEAL will be taking part in discussions with WHO Europe and countries in the European region this month on an action plan for health and climate change. Thanks to strong support from members and partners, we are in a very strong position to contribute effectively. |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 BUND, Naturschutzbund Deutschland NABU, Verkehrsclub Deutschland VCD and Deutsche Umwelthilfe DUH. The campaign aims is to bring the discussion of the health and climatic effects of black carbon into the political and social arena - and to establish tangible measures to reduce soot emissions. View a short film about the threats to health and environment from soot. Or view the German language version here Read more about Soot free for the Climate on their website. Most of the information is in German, but there is a background paper available in English. |
| 10/11/2009 | Climate change: European health strategy makes rapid progress The first few days of October have seen an explosion of activity aimed at making health more central to talks on climate change. HEAL and its coalition partner Health Care Without Harm Europe have backed targets of 40% reductions in carbon emissions and an EU contribution of 35 billion Euros per year to finance global action on climate change. Read our - briefing and recommendations concerning the Commission Communication - a European blueprint for the Copenhagen deal. We have also launched a "Prescription for a Healthy Planet" which outlines key strategy objectives and policy recommendations for climate talks. At a reception at HEAL on 6 October, the Prescription was welcomed by EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou who saw it as a reflection of the high level of concern within the European health and medical community. She told the meeting that climate change was "a major issue for all EU policy areas" and said that "its impact on human, animal and plant health would be of massive importance to citizens in years to come." Read Commissioner Vassiliou's speach here. The Climate and Health Council in the UK is a founding signatory to the Prescription. Other key health and medical groups which endorsed the Prescription include the European Respiratory Society; International Society of Doctors for the Environment, Europe; Chartered Institute for Environmental Health (CIEH), and several national medical associations. Speakers from the launch of the Prescription. From left - Anja Leetz (HCWH), Dr. Michael Gill, Climate and Health Council, Genon Jensen (HEAL), Androulla Vassiliou (EU Health Commissioner), Dr. Peter Liese (MEP), Dr. Michael Wilks (President, Standing Committee of European Doctors), Dr. Isabella Annesi-Maesano (European Respiratory Society). In a parallel development, amendments about health concerns have been tabled on the Resolution on climate change to be debated in the European Parliament in mid-October. The amendments are supported by MEP Frederique Ries. MEPs Jo Leinen, chair of the European parliament committee and Dr Peter Liese, a committee member have also shown commitment to this issue during the past few weeks. Both spoke at the launch of the Prescription at the HEAL offices. Next steps in our advocacy efforts include reaching policy makers prior to high level meetings later this month: EU Finance Ministers (20 October), Environment Ministers (21 October) and the EU Heads of States (29 – 30 October). Our aim is to work with our members to positively influence the final negotiating position adopted by the EU for the crucial UNFCCC climate talks in Copenhagen. Both the Prescription launch and HEAL targets on climate change have featured in the European policy press Next month, the leading worldwide medical journal, The Lancet, will release a report in London on the health impact of climate change. We hope that new evidence will help show how adaptation within the health sector can benefit health but also reduce greenhouse gases and energy consumption. In addition, the findings may also help define simple, health and equity-friendly policy interventions for many other EU policy sectors in the post Copenhagen era. Are you making the environment healthier for children and young people? If you are, we strongly urge you to apply to our good practice competition. Awards will be handed out (with a cheque for 1,000 Euros for the winner in each section) at the World Health Organization meeting in Parma, Italy in March 2010. |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 BUND, Naturschutzbund Deutschland NABU, Verkehrsclub Deutschland VCD and Deutsche Umwelthilfe DUH. The campaign aims is to bring the discussion of the health and climatic effects of black carbon into the political and social arena - and to establish tangible measures to reduce soot emissions. View a short film about the threats to health and environment from soot. Or view the German language version here Read more about Soot free for the Climate on their website. Most of the information is in German, but there is a background paper available in English. |
| 10/11/2009 | 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, "Prescription for a Healthy Planet" symbolically representing the interests of millions of health professionals in more than 120 countries was handed to Dr. Roberto Bertollini of the World Health Organisation. Dr Roberto Bertollini, World Health Organization said: "We want to bring the human face to the climate change talks by bringing in health. Choosing policies that reduce carbon emissions bring positive returns for health, also called co-benefits. For example, developing sustainable public transport policies, which encourage walking and cycling, and eating less red meat, can help mitigate climate change and also improve health." In receiving the Prescription for a Healthy Planet, he said the move represented "a signal of the growing concern about the impact of climate change on health." Josh Karliner, Health Care Without Harm, told the press conference: "’The Prescription for a Healthy Planet’ has been endorsed by dozens of major health organisations with millions of members. Doctors and nurses are waking up to climate change. They are going to be in Copenhagen - in the negotiating halls and on the streets." Genon Jensen, Health and Environment Alliance said: "We need to seal the deal for health in Copenhagen. Public health professionals are increasingly aware of how extreme weather events, such as heat waves and floods, affect their patients and their work whether they are living in a poorer or richer country. Recent research in 15 European cities shows that high temperatures kill and that the effects are six times higher among people with existing breathing problems are even worse affected." Whilst the Barcelona negoitiations did not deliver the substantial advances that we had hoped for in moving towards a global binding treaty, hopes are still high for a significant political deal in Copenhagen. The health community’s voice and participation is more important than ever before. What is the Prescription? Health is being forgotten in the climate change talks despite the fact that climate change is likely to eclipse the major known pandemics as the leading cause of death and disease in the 21st century. The Prescription diagnoses the global threats to public health that climate change poses while urging the world’s governments to negotiate a strong, binding agreement. The campaign calls for the Copenhagen treaty to protect public health, set strong targets on emission reductions, promote clean energy, and mandate major funding for developing countries to address the climate crisis. The Prescription allows health care leaders from around the world to speak with one voice, and insist that an agreement in Copenhagen must protect both the planet and public health. The Prescription will also act as a rallying point for action beyond the December talks. Read more about the Prescription for a healthy planet |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 strengthening the health dimension and ensuring that health co-benefits are included in the official UNFCCC text. We sent letters to all national UNFCCC negotiators with our recommendations on how to improve the text. HEAL’s action on climate change and health December health delegation in Copenhagen HEAL will have an official delegation at Copenhagen (14-17 Dec) in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm. It will include high level health leaders and allow us to continue our work in increasing focus on the effects of climate change on human health with the help of the Prescription for a Healthy Planet.’ To find out the most up-to-date news on this please visit the Campaign Timeline. During the Barcelona UNFCCC negotiations 2- 6 November 2009, we presented the Prescription for a Healthy Planet to global policy makers. Read more about the Global Launch. For an update on the campaign progress to date see the Campaign Timeline At Barcelona we also launched the Prescription's website - you can now sign up to the join the campaign to bring a focus on health into the climate negotiations - www.climateandhealthcare.org HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWHE) produced recommendations to UNFCCC negotiators on how to strengthen health dimension in UNFCCC text towards Copenhagen. Read these here Your action Become a signatory of Prescription. Add your name to the growing list of individuals and organisations calling for Global leaders to avert a global public health crisis now by abating climate change - this is a number one priority in Copenhagen and beyond. Sign up here |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 Global decision makers. Our next step to help protect public health from climate change is to bring a delegation of leading health and medical experts, as well as public health advocates and health NGOs to the UNFCCC Copenhagen Climate Summit. Each day we will hold briefings to provide input, highlight side events and actions during the day. The delegation will bring together 20 representatives of the health and medical community and will also support the side event of the World Health Organisation planned for 17th December. Alongside HEAL and HCWH, the international participants from the health community will include representatives from: • Climate and Health Council • World Medical Association, • Danish Medical Council, • European Respiratory Society (ERS) • Association for Research and Treatment against Cancer (ARTAC) • Medsin-UK • Harvard Medical School, Center for Health and the Global Environment • ETA Umweltmanagement GmbH • European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) • Women for Green Way for Generations (WGWG) • Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) • Institut fuer Nachhaltigkeit im Gesundheitswesen (INGES) • International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IMFSA) • • Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) The delegation will continue to highlight the need to put health at the centre for climate change negotiations. By bringing together key figures from the health community, we will ensure that our message on the health effects of climate change is heard in Copenhagen. Through this delegation we can then collectively build a strategy for post-Copenhagen efforts among the health community. |
| 10/11/2009 | 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. Discussion will continue in January, when the rapporteur Christa Klass (EPP, Germany) will present her draft report. HEAL’s action on Pesticides For the first discussion in the ENVI Committee, HEAL send a letter to all ENVI Members with key demands, and also issue a joint press release with PAN Germany/Europe. Read the press release here As part of the Sick of Pesticides UK Campaign UK initiative, in September we have launched two on-line questionnaires; one directed at the schools themselves, and another for citizens to survey their own schools. We will be collating the responses from these questionnaires next week - we'll keep you posted on the results! Your action Fill in our survey: Find out which pesticides are in your school? If you are not based in the UK, please disseminate to your UK contacts! Find the questionnaire here Let us know if you would like to translate and adapt the school survey in your country - please contact Genon |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 most vulnerable groups, such as children. At the request of the Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed the safety of these MRLs taking into account the latest available information. For several of them, EFSA concluded that there is a risk that acceptable intake levels may be exceeded for one or more consumer groups, such as children. Based these findings then, the Commission decided to lower the MRLs for all pesticide crop combinations for which a potential risk was established. The adopted MRL regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. More information can be found here |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 amounts possible and using safer alternatives. They state that risks and benefits of the non-cosmetic use of pesticides should be assessed depending on each situation. They have presented these situations as follows: Pesticide use in agriculture Encourage the use of farming practices that reduces the use of pesticides to minimise exposure. Pesticide residues on vegetables and fruit While there are known health benefits to eating vegetables and fruit, there is not enough evidence about possible harm from pesticide residues on food. The amount of pesticide residue allowed on vegetables and fruit should be as low as possible to reduce exposure. At this time, research has not shown a difference in the health benefits between organically grown vegetables and fruit and those grown using other farming methods that may include pesticides. The CCS is reviewing research on pesticide residues on food and with the intention to update their position in due course. Pressure-treated lumber CCS supports a ban on the use of chromium copper arsenate (CCA) – which contains known cancer-causing substances – to pressure-treat lumber. Pesticide use to control West Nile virus CCS believes that chemical spraying against mosquitoes should be used only as a last resort to control West Nile virus. The Canadian Cancer Society advises reducing, and even eliminating, exposure to pesticides where possible. They also have a position on Cosmetic use of pesticides (i.e. to make lawns, gardens and other green spaces look better by controlling unwanted weeds and plants), which acknowledges their danger to health and calls for an outright ban on usage. More information about CCS and pesticides: Community right to know CCs support a community’s right to know when pesticides are being used in their area so they can make informed decisions about protecting their health. Product labelling The CCS calls for manufacturers to identify all ingredients in consumer products, including pesticides. When there are cancer-causing ingredients in pesticides, they should be identified by a hazard symbol, as well as clear plain language information about the ingredient. Ingredients include active ingredients, non-active ingredients (formulants) and possible contaminants. This information should be easy for the buyer or user to see. Research Read more about CCS’s position on pesticides: English or French |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 on Pink Ribbon - 10th November 2009 Dear Pink Ribbon, The constant refutation by those in the cancer industry who stand to lose out if harmful chemicals are banned is to say the least tiresome. How much evidence is needed before the precautionary principle is applied to all known carcinogenic substances? The evidence that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are contributing to the increasing incidence of breast cancer is growing on a daily basis. The most comprehensive compilation of this evidence to date is /The State of the Evidence/ (Fifth Edition, 2008), published by the Breast Cancer Fund in the US. Bisphenol A, just one of many known EDCs, has already been listed as a toxic substance in Canada, which has been the first country in the world to ban the sale and import of all baby bottles/products containing BPA. Many states in the USA have also banned the use of this chemical in baby products. How long must we wait for the UK to follow suit? It is, to say the least, insulting to hear the continual onslaught on female diet and lifestyle when we know that less than half of breast cancer cases can be attributed to these causes. The impact of chemical toxins in the environment, including personal care products, begs investigation so that woman can be honestly informed to enable them to make choices which suit them. The persistent emphasis on alcohol consumption and weight in relation to breast cancer by the media and cancer charities has become insulting to the many women who work hard, eat well and try to enjoy life while staying within the recommended limits. Most breast cancer survivors are /not guilty as charged/ of high levels of alcohol consumption and/or poor diet. The image of an obese, drunken ladette is not what is witnessed in most breast clinics. Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 Environment Ministers Council (21st or 22nd Dec). The European Commission is considering putting forward a proposal to regulate limits of Cadmium in phosphate fertilizers. Cadmium is variously recognized as a potential, suspected or definite carcinogen, is known to be toxic to the kidneys, and newer science suggests links with lung, bladder, breast and endometrial cancer. The Commission is examining different options to reduce humans’ exposure by limiting cadmium input to agricultural soils, and to harmonize the common market for phosphate fertilizers. The Commission has been canvassing the views of stakeholders and Member States. If a proposal is made, it will be sometime next year, after going through an Impact Assessment Review Board and internal Commission consultation. For more details, contact Lisette. The European Parliamentary examination of ROHS (‘Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment’) has started, with a first discussion in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee on November 4th. The Rapporteur is looking to widen the scope of the law to other categories of products, and to increase the list of banned substances, with appropriate transition periods and some possibilities for exemptions. It will be important to get support from the political groups on these changes, and to ensure that ROHS is not weakened in relation to the REACH chemicals regulation. HEAL’s action on environment and health HEAL and ChemTrust have sent a joint letter on Endocrine Disruptors and cumulative risk assessment to all EU Environment Ministers, with the recent ChemTRUST reports on Male Reproductive disorders, and the HEAL-ChemTrust materials on Breast Cancer. HEAL, ChemTrust and WWF met with a commission official to discuss developments under the European community strategy on Endocrine Disruptors and ways forward regarding future regulatory measures. HEAL attended a Commission workshop on Cadmium in phosphate fertilizers on October 28th, and will be making a written submission about which policy option best meets the aim of decreasing human exposure to cadmium from fertilizers via soil. HEAL is joining with a group of NGOs in advocating for improvements to ROHS, with a joint position paper to be circulated in Parliament. Your action HEAL members, partners and other interested parties can use our model letter to contact your national environment minister, and urge them to support cumulative risk assessment especially for endocrine disruptors. Please contact us for further details and materials we have to assist you. HEAL is continuing our work on consumer right to know and hazardous chemicals in products, with some further steps this winter and next year. If you are interested in participating with specific actions and projects, please contact Lisette for more details. You can contact Members of Parliament on the ENVI Cancer report, or ROHS, or other topics passing through Parliament that we are monitoring. Please check with us about which MEPs to address and when, and get more information to support your messages. |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 Competition: Children's environment and health Call for Entries - 2nd Children’s environmental health project competition (EN) Entry Form - Children’s environmental health project competition (RU) Entry Form - Children’s environmental health project competition (EN) Sick of Pesticides UK campaign Pesticides in Schools: a guide for citizens Pesticides in Schools: a guide for local authorities Young people in environment and health HEAL launched a youth and health and environment blog - a live portal to bring together the voices of young people from around the world. http://env-health-youth.blogspot.com Press Releases 16/11/2009 Time to pull Mercury out of fillings 04/11/2009 EU Biocide Policy – Safety for Health and Biodiversity first! 04/11/2009 Health leaders call for strong measures on climate change 20/10/2009 Health impact of climate change not recognised in Parliamentary resolution Conferences and meetings 12th – 15th October. Genon Jensen participated in discussions during the next drafting committee meeting for the Parma Ministerial Declaration on 13 October in Parma, Italy and the EEHC on 14-15 October. Alina Bezhenar also participated as a Youth Representative. 12th – 13th October. Lisette van Vliet participated in the Competent Authorities for REACH and CLP (CARACAL). She presented a joint NGO position paper on public access to data on chemicals registered under REACH. The relevant article with link to the paper can be found here 21st October. Genon participated in a meeting with DGSANCO’s Expert Group on Indoor Air Quality in Luxembourg. 27th – 30th October. Alison Cohen attended the National Environmental Public Health Conference in Atlanta. 2nd – 5th November. HEAL presented the Prescription for a Healthy Planet to global decision makers during the UNFCCC negotiations in Barcelona. Genon Jensen and Josh Karliner (Heath Care Without Harm) Presented the prescription to Dr Roberto Bertollini of the World Health Organisation. Pendo Maro and Diana Smith were present from the HEAL team. 3rd November. Anne Stauffer took part in a panel discussion as part of the final workshop of the PRONET project. The panel and conference discussed “Options to improve environment and health in European regions”. For more info |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 States in Europe. The 'Communication on Solidarity in Health: Reducing health inequalities in the EU’, sees greater scope in the use of the billions of pounds the European Union spends every year on regional and social projects to tackle the health inequalities which exist within and between countries. Despite a general improvement in public health levels in Europe, differences exist in key indicators such as mortality rates, incidence of disease, and available treatment. Life expectancy at birth varies throughout Europe by up to eight years for women and 14 years for men. There are fears that in the current economic climate the health gap could increase in groups, notably the unemployed, worst hit by the recession. The WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health has a developed framework for action to reduce these inequalities. EPHA calls on the European Commission to use this Communication as a stepping stone to bring about an effective and permanent change, specifically to address the underlying drivers of health inequalities that lie outside the health system. "Current policies are failing our most vulnerable," said Monika Kosinska, EPHA's Secretary General. "We know what the problems are - this Communication marks an important first step but we need to be bold and move away from business as usual." EPHA believe that with the post-Lisbon agenda, the Commission now has the opportunity to tackle problems at the Community level, by placing health and health equity high in its new framework for regeneration. Read more on the EPHA position here. EuroHealthNet, a leading EU organisation working to address inequalities in health within and between EU states, has also welcomed the adoption of the Communication (read the press release here). EuroHealthNet director, Clive Needle, congratulated the European Commission on its move saying "As the new Commission starts its work there will be many ways – from the highest post Lisbon priorities to local initiatives – that work to improve health equity can and will contribute to the needs of all citizens and common EU objectives. EuroHealthNet – which networks health promotion agencies across the EU – has put addressing inequalities at the core of its mission since its inception when the EU mandate in health began. It now looks forward to a new impetus for far-reaching actions and will play a strong part in realising the encouraging words of the Commission.” Androulla Vassiliou, the EU health commissioner, said, "I want to see a Europe where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a high level of health regardless of where they live or their social or ethnic background. We have recognised that health inequalities need to be tackled." A meeting between European and national experts is due to be held in Brussels in November to determine the concrete contribution the Commission could make to reduce existing health inequalities. This is expected to explore the possibility of EU funds being used to co-finance national health information and promotion campaigns and other measures, including the development of e-health. |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 young people throughout the world. The Health and Environment Blog will provide information about health and environment issues and projects as well photos and videos. It will also provide a discussion forum for young people active in health and environment issues. The blog will be coordinated by Alina Bezhenar, the Health and Environment Youth Coordinator. Alina has been involved into youth environment and health process in Europe since 2004, currently she is one of the four CEHAPE/EEHC international youth representatives. As HEAL’s Youth Representative and part of the youth environment and health network, Alina will be preparing a preparatory youth meeting prior to 5th Ministerial Conference in Parma, in Italy in 2010. One of the objectives for young people at the Ministerial, is to extend the youth network to all 53 countries in the WHO’s European Region and have a representative for each country. Join the blog If you have information about youth environment and health activities or projects, please contact Alina alina@env-health.org who can post them on the blog. |
| 10/11/2009 | 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 practical feedback on the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health 2004-2010 (EHAP). This meeting will discuss the draft report on EHAP and the various sub sections of the action plan including indoor air quality, human biomonitoring, research-policy interface, electro-magnetic fields. The European Parliament will be issuing its own Resolution on the European Commission’s Cancer Communication and the Partnership for Action Against Cancer, issued in July. The Parliament has taken very good positions on Cancer in the past, highlighting the connection with exposures to industrial chemical carcinogens and other chemicals in the environment, and we look to them again to make strong points about the need for ‘environmental prevention’. The Report will be discussed and voted on in Environment, Public health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee next spring. There will also be opinions from two other committees: Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, and the Industry, Research and Energy. The European Commission, having launched its Partnership for Action Against Cancer, put out a call for interested stakeholders to apply to participate. HEAL’s action on environment and health HEAL will be an official partner in the COPHES project, and be represented by Lisette van Vliet, Alison Cohen and Genon Jensen at the meetings in November and December. HEAL and HEAL members will be providing input to implementation process of the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health 2004-2010. HEAL will be following developments in the European Parliament on the Commission’s Cancer Communication, and disseminating our publications on Breast Cancer and Male Reproductive Health disorders as relevant. HEAL have applied to become a member of the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer, and is looking to become active in the Prevention Workgroup. Updates on this issue can be obtained by becoming members of our ‘Environment and Cancer’ email distribution list (contact Lisette) HEAL and WECF launch competition on Children’s Environmental Health Launch. 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. Read more HEAL have launched a 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. If you would like more information please contact Alina Your action Contribute to the draft progress report on EHAP: HEAL and HEAL members will be providing comments on the progress report. If you would like to provide input please contact Genon. Feedback: Can you provide expertise or participte in any Cancer Partnership workgroup? We can coordinate and exchange information. Please email Lisette van Vliet Enter the CEHAPE Good Practice Awards, we want to hear about your projects and campaigns in children’s environment and health. The winners of each category will be awarded 1,000 Euros towards their project, and will be invited to present their project at the Parma Ministerial. The deadline of December 11th is fast approaching! Read more More information and articles on environment and health from September and October 2009. Report: Every Child Matters (ECM) - The paper explores the influence of the environment on children's wellbeing and is written for everyone designing and delivering services that impact on children's lives. Read the report here Films: Eco Tube – the environmental web portal. Hear Al Gore talk about his new book, Vision of the Future Awards: MEP achievements recognised at Parliament Magazine awards Fact Sheet: Safe Drinking Water in Schools New website: Connecting the health community across the globe to discuss social determinants of health - The Equity channel Survey and Health Assessment: The exposure of 2 year-olds to chemical substances in Consumer Products Info: Find out the noise levels in your area Event: The 20th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion - Health, Equity and Sustainable Development - Geneva, 11-15 July, 2010. For more information, please the conference website |
| 10/11/2009 | Environment and health action in Europe – is it making a difference? When the Commission adopted its first strategy on environment and health in 2003, also known as SCALE, the vision was far reaching – to reduce ill health caused by environmental factors in Europe. It put a special focus on vulnerable groups, such as children, and pledged to identify emerging health threats linked to the environment, such as endocrine disrupters. In 2004 this strategy was translated into an EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP), and the HEAL secretariat and many of our members took part in many of its implementation meetings. In 2010, EHAP comes to an end; during early December this year a series of meetings will take place in Brussels to discuss its achievements. A draft report reviewing the Plan's track record is already available and an important objective of the talks will be to identify future priorities. The HEAL secretariat will again take part in these meetings organised by DG Environment, DGSANCO and DG Research, along with many of its members. HEAL believes that there should be a second action plan, and that the original overarching SCALE vision be re-established as a basis for future work. Although the current action plan is not legally-binding, nor well-resourced, it does create international visibility for "environment and health" as an important theme in European policy. Moreover, the EHAP process has contributed to creating more health protecting EU environmental policies, such as those on pesticides and air quality. In practical terms, it offers opportunities for HEAL members to advocate on their priorities and for the HEAL secretariat to bring the health arguments to the "Green 10" environmental groups and policy-makers working at EU level. Having an EU action plan has also created an important forum for stakeholder discussion on key environmental health issues, and policy responses. It has helped raise the profile of some emerging issues, such as electromagnetic fields, and has laid the foundations for a future EU biomonitoring programme. Biomonitoring in Europe should substantially increase public awareness of and responses to how chemicals are contaminating our bodies while providing relevant information for EU policy makers on reducing exposure. Children's environmental health action plans In parallel, the World Health Organisation (WHO) discussions are continuing to assess the added-value of environment and health policies in the wider Pan European region of 53 countries (Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health), particularly on how children’s environmental health action plans (CEHAPE) are making a difference. HEAL members and other NGOs have an opportunity to bring their achievements to this review process. Three weeks remain until the deadline for entries to our good practice competition. Applications for the second CEHAPE - Children's Environmental Health Award must be received by December 7. If you are involved in a project that you believe to be making the environment healthier for children and young people, we strongly urge you to apply (read more here). Awards will be presented at a ceremony (with 1,000 Euros for the winning entry in each section) during the WHO meeting in Parma, Italy in March 2010. |
| 08/11/2009 | Environment and health action in Europe – is it making a difference? When the Commission adopted its first strategy on environment and health in 2003, also known as SCALE, the vision was far reaching – to reduce ill health caused by environmental factors in Europe. It put a special focus on vulnerable groups, such as children, and pledged to identify emerging health threats linked to the environment, such as endocrine disrupters. In 2004 this strategy was translated into an EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP), and the HEAL secretariat and many of our members took part in many of its implementation meetings. In 2010, EHAP comes to an end; during early December this year a series of meetings will take place in Brussels to discuss its achievements. A draft report reviewing the Plan's track record is already available and an important objective of the talks will be to identify future priorities. The HEAL secretariat will again take part in these meetings organised by DG Environment, DGSANCO and DG Research, along with many of its members. HEAL believes that there should be a second action plan, and that the original overarching SCALE vision be re-established as a basis for future work. Although the current action plan is not legally-binding, nor well-resourced, it does create international visibility for "environment and health" as an important theme in European policy. Moreover, the EHAP process has contributed to creating more health protecting EU environmental policies, such as those on pesticides and air quality. In practical terms, it offers opportunities for HEAL members to advocate on their priorities and for the HEAL secretariat to bring the health arguments to the "Green 10" environmental groups and policy-makers working at EU level. Having an EU action plan has also created an important forum for stakeholder discussion on key environmental health issues, and policy responses. It has helped raise the profile of some emerging issues, such as electromagnetic fields, and has laid the foundations for a future EU biomonitoring programme. Biomonitoring in Europe should substantially increase public awareness of and responses to how chemicals are contaminating our bodies while providing relevant information for EU policy makers on reducing exposure. Children's environmental health action plans In parallel, the World Health Organisation (WHO) discussions are continuing to assess the added-value of environment and health policies in the wider Pan European region of 53 countries (Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health), particularly on how children’s environmental health action plans (CEHAPE) are making a difference. HEAL members and other NGOs have an opportunity to bring their achievements to this review process. Three weeks remain until the deadline for entries to our good practice competition. Applications for the second CEHAPE - Children's Environmental Health Award must be received by December 7. If you are involved in a project that you believe to be making the environment healthier for children and young people, we strongly urge you to apply (read more here). Awards will be presented at a ceremony (with 1,000 Euros for the winning entry in each section) during the WHO meeting in Parma, Italy in March 2010. |
| 10/10/2009 | 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 people with asthma, rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory tract infections. In the position statement published in their European Respiratory Journal, ERS highlight factors that could affect respiratory diseases in the short and long term. These include extreme temperatures, changes in air pollution, floods, damp housing, thunderstorms, changes in allergen disposition and consequent allergies, forest^ fires, and dust storms. The research shows that an increase in temperature of 1°C would produce a 1-3% increase in all cause mortality in the general population but a 6% increase among people with respiratory illnesses. ERS emphasises the need for more research into improving predictive models, supplemented by continuous prospective measurement and assessment of the key exposures that affect respiratory health. The paper goes on further to recommend that health professionals receive more education on the consequences of global warming "to ensure that patients are adequately informed of how changing weather patterns could affect their health and how medications could affect their sensitivity to heatwaves." It also advises that respiratory physicians should check on vulnerable patients, carrying out medical assessments ahead of the summer season, and should advise on routine care, including fluid intake and adjustment of drug treatments during hot weather. Jon Ayres, director of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Birmingham and lead author of the position statement, notes that much higher temperatures in the summer have a "marked" effect on patients with lung diseases. He said, "If we can provide better warning systems and information for respiratory patients and encourage stronger action to mitigate the effects of climate change fewer people will die unnecessarily." The report says that climate change will alter the incidence of some infections, with some, such as tuberculosis, increasing, while others, such as respiratory syncytial virus infections, become less of a problem. The timing and duration of respiratory syncytial virus infections have already changed since the mid-1990s, with the season ending earlier and attacks becoming less severe as temperatures have risen. Although advocating regulatory change to improve air quality through the introduction of more stringent standards for vehicle and industry emissions, ERS also emphasises the need for lifestyle changes to reduce energy consumption. |
| 10/10/2009 | 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 to adopt the Pesticide Authorisation Regulation. It switches the approval of pesticides from the risk-based approach to the use of hazard-based "cut-off" criteria. The Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides was also approved, requiring EU Member States to set up National Action Plans. HEAL’s action on Pesticides As part of the Sick of Pesticides UK Campaign UK initiative, we have launched two on-line questionnaires; one directed at the schools themselves, and another for citizens to survey their own schools. Read more Your action Fill in our survey: Find out which pesticides are in your school? If you are not based in the UK, please disseminate to your UK contacts! Find the questionnaire here Let us know if you would like to translate and adapt the school survey in your country - please contact Genon |
| 10/10/2009 | 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 waiting, the Council of Ministers finally adopted the regulation and directive. The Framework directive: Two Member States - Ireland and Poland - abstained in the vote on the framework directive. Poland made a statement especially linked to aerial spaying which you can read here. There we no votes against the directive. The adoption of the directive means that Member States will now have three years to convert this into national law. By 2012, they have to set up National Action Plans for Pesticide Reduction with quantitative objectives and indicators. Read the adopted text in English. The Plant protection products (PPP) regulation: The adoption will switch the approval of pesticides from the risk-based approach to the use of hazard-based "cut-off" criteria. Two Member States - Ireland and Hungary- abstained from the vote. The vote went through despite huge opposition from the UK government. The United Kingdom were the only Member State to vote against. Statements from Hungary, United Kingdom and the European Commission can be found here. The adoption of the PPP regulation means that the European Commission now has 18 months to develop a set of implementation rules. Read the adopted text in English Amending the machinery directive All Member States voted in favour of the changes to the machinery directive. For further information, a statement on the engagement of the European Commission on intention to address environmental aspects of sprayers European in the Committee for Standardisation (CEN) can be found here. The adopted text in English can be found here |
| 10/09/2009 | 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 UK and Hungary have ratified the protocol, raising the number of ratifications from member states to nineteen - 16 was the agreed threshold needed to trigger entry into force. The PRTR will act as an inventory of pollutants. Under the new protocol, firms are required to report annually the amounts of certain pollutants they release to the environment or transfer to other facilities. Emissions from agriculture and medium-sized companies are covered by the national inventories. Practically speaking, this means that a publicly accessible internet database will be created at EU level. Access will be free of charge enabling citizens to find information using various search criteria (i.e. type of pollutant, geographical location, affected environments, etc.) In the EU, the first inventory of the new European pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) will be published this autumn, based on 2007 data. The PRTR register is wider than its predecessor (EPER). It covers releases from diffuse sources and off-site waste transfers, in line with the protocol. Read more of PRTR UNECE web-pages on the PRTR protocol Swiss government press release Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 January 2006 concerning the establishment of a European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register and amending Council Directives 91/689/EEC and 96/61/EC. |
| 10/09/2009 | 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 in their draft Resolution on climate change. During the UNFCCC Bangkok negotiations this month, the focus was on how much and who pays for the costs of climate change adaptation and mitigation. HEAL is advocating that by 2020 the EU contribute at least 35 billion Euros per year to fund global action on climate change, including within the health sector. HEAL’s action on climate change and health – Oct 2009 European launch of the Prescription for a Healthy Planet. Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWHE) briefing and recommendations concerning the Commission's communication - Stepping up international finance: a European blueprint for the Copenhagen deal. Your action: Become a signatory Download HEAL members’ new publications: Chartered Institute of Environment and Health 1. Climate Change and its Health Implications - a summary report for environmental health practitioners on the health implications of climate change 2. Climate Change, Public Health and Health Inequalities European Lung Foundation Fact Sheets on Climate change and lungs - For Adults and for children. |
| 10/09/2009 | 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) and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB)). The majority of these compounds are also on the Substitute It Now! (SIN) list compiled by the International Chemical Secretariat and the Trade Union Priority list compiled by the European Trade Union Confederation. The number of proposals contrasts with the number of chemicals already known to fulfill the criteria of very high concern. |
| 10/09/2009 | 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: What are the links between cancer and environment?How IARC is researching these links especially with relation to cancer, environment, chemicals, life style etc.?What are the gaps in scientific knowledge? 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 out more information please read Chemicals Health Monitor article entitled "IARC new director elected". |
| 10/09/2009 | 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 action), and later may be given priority to undergo the ‘authorisation’ process. Public comments about any of the 15 chemicals are welcome, and the comments can be either general; specific to the ‘justification’ submitted for placing this chemical on the candidate list, or pertain to use, exposure, alternatives and risks; or any additional (including confidential) information. More Information This autumn will see the European Parliament working on the ROHS Directive ‘Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment’. Key issues include whether more hazardous substances will be added to the ban, and whether restrictive action is linked to REACH procedures. HEAL is monitoring developments and is collaborating with a number of other groups to strengthen the directive in its own right. HEAL’s action on chemicals HEAL has participated in the Meeting of Competent Authorities on REACH and Classification & Labelling of Hazardous Substances (11 - 12 October) HEAL and ChemTrust new leaflet about threats to Male Reproductive health and Endocrine Disruptors. Consumer Right to Know brochure available soon in Danish and Icelandic. HEAL has contributed to joint position paper on REACH and Public Access to Information on Chemicals - this will be available soon. HEAL has been following the developments in REACH on public access to information about chemicals from the REACH registration dossiers. We have made submissions to the European Chemicals Agency, and anticipate developing a joint position paper on the subject together with other NGOs active on REACH implementation. Your action HEAL will be submitting comments on the phthalate DIBP, and can collate and your input if desired. Please contact Lisette for more details. Consumer Right to Know brochure - Members can circulate these leaflets to the public, and request information from retailers and manufacturers about harmful chemicals in products you buy. You can find the leaflets here. Don’t forget to send us the answers you receive! |
| 10/09/2009 | 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 the European Parliament on environmental health issues. She was also a Project Coordinator for the National Council of German Women’s Organizations. Anne holds an M.A. in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Freiburg, Germany, and has completed graduate work in Gender Studies in the United States. Alison Cohen has joined HEAL as the new Chemicals Health Monitor Project Assistant. Alison is US-EU Fulbright scholar studying REACH and will be working in a part-time capacity for HEAL. Alison graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in May 2009 in Community Health and Education Policy. She has worked with the Brown University Superfund Research Program’s Community Outreach Core, where she worked on environmental health and environmental justice outreach and advocacy with community-based organizations across Rhode Island. Alison was recognised as a Udall Scholar for environmental leadership and a member of USA Today 2009 All-USA College Academic Team for her work developing place-based, standards-aligned environmental health justice curricula for California and Rhode Island middle school students. As a 2007 Royce fellow, she worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Health and Environment division on airborne mercury pollution from cement kilns and identifying the presence of phthalates in air fresheners. Most recently, she worked with a University of California-Berkeley faculty member and organizers at Communities for a Better Environment to conduct a community-based, policy-relevant environmental health survey in Richmond, an area highly impacted by a major oil refinery, manufacturing, and transit corridors. A native San Franciscan, Alison enjoys discovering her city’s hidden staircases. Alina Bezhenar joins us from Russia as the new Health and Environment Youth Coordinator. In her 6 month placement with HEAL, Alina will be working with HEAL members and young people in preparation for the 5th Ministerial Conference in March in Parma, Italy. She has been involved in environment and health issues since 2004 when she took part in the HEAL video project on young people’s voices on environment and health - ‘It’s Out World, Our Future Too’. Through this project, Alina became a youth participant at the 4th Ministerial Conference in Budapest organised by World Health Organisation. In 2007, she became a Youth CEHAPE Delegate for the World Health Organisation. She has also participated in the TUNZA initiative (a programme organized by UNEP) and Climate Change Campaign (UNFCCC programme / member of European Youth Climate Change Network). Publications New Campaign: Prescription for a Healthy Planet Prescription for a healthy planet European Launch Join the campaign Briefing and recommendations concerning - Commission Communication. Stepping up international finance: a European blueprint for the Copenhagen deal Competition: Children's environment and health Call for Entries - 2nd Children’s environmental health project competition (EN) Entry Form - Children’s environmental health project competition (RU) Entry Form - Children’s environmental health project competition (EN) Sick of Pesticides UK campaign Pesticides in Schools: a guide for citizens Pesticides in Schools: a guide for local authorities Press Releases 06/10/2009 Commissioner receives health "Prescription" on climate change, 6 October 2009 Conference and meetings 25th – 29th August - International Society for Environmental Epidemiology Annual Conference held in Dublin. The theme this year was Environment, Food and Global Health. Genon and Lisette attended, Lisette presented a paper at Syposium 31 – entitled 'Environment and Cancer – new North American and EU prevention initiatives. Genon participated in a panel discussion about the needs of NGOs on air quality and health impacts as part of the EU research project called APHKEOM. 31st August– Pendo attended the World Medical Association Seminar on health and Climate Change. She distributed our Prescription for a Healthy Planet and asked national medical associations in EU and the WMA for endorsement. 1st September – Lisette attended the Swedish Presidency at the Swedish Permanent Representation, Brussels. There she took part in a discussion with Andreas Carlgren, Swedish Minister for the Environment, on the Swedish Presidency's Environment priorities. 1st September - Genon, Diana, Lisette, Gill attended a reception in European Parliament hosted by Rebecca Harms (MEP) and the Green 10. The event was a huge success with over thirty-two MEPs in attendance, as well as MEP assistants and Political advisors. The event provides fantastic networking opportunities as well a great exposure for the Green 10 with the Parliament. 4th – 6th September - Gill Erskine attended the Pesticide Action Network (Europe) Annual General Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria. A hugely interesting and productive two days, where PAN members from throughout Europe highlighted their campaigns and discussed the upcoming policy challenges. 10th September - Monika Kosinska from the European Public Health Alliance, and member of HEAL’s executive committee attended the WHO conference on Environment and Health Risks - The Influence and Effects of Social Inequalities, on the behalf of HEAL. The conference was held in Bonn, Germany. European experts discussed and reviewed a compilation of evidence on environmental exposures and their distribution by social gradients in the WHO European Region. On this basis, they produced a set of technical and policy recommendation on possible countermeasures. 11th September - Jeanette Kaltschmied attended a conference on EuropeAid. The conference aimed to help NGOs apply for European Commission Grants - it will be about EuropeAid. 23rd – 25th September – As a member of the External Advisory Committee of ERA-EnvHealth, Genon participated in their General Assembly. The General Assembly discussed the progress, achievements and strategic orientations of the project. This General Assembly took place in Rome, members of the EAC attended. 29th September – Lisette attended the launch of the European Commission’s European Partnership for Action Against Cancer. This launch was opened by the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and hosted by Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou. 6th October – HEAL, Health Care Without Harm Europe and the Climate and Health Council launched their Prescription for a Healthy Planet. The European launch saw the presentation of a giant "Prescription" to the European Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou. This was followed by a lively debate with the Commissioner, MEPs and health stakeholders on how the health and medical perspective can integrated into discussions in climate change meetings in Copenhagen in December 2009 and beyond. 6th – 7th October - The Prescription launch kicked off the HEAL Annual General Assembly in the HEAL offices, Brussels. With over 25 HEAL members from throughout Europe, members highlighted their campaigns and we discussed the upcoming policy challenges. 6th October – The Civil Society Contact Group, of which the Green 10 are a member, held a reception in the Parliament to give MEPs a chance to meet members of civil society. The HEAL staff and many HEAL members attended the reception which marked the beginning of a three day fair in the parliament, celebrating the diversity of civil society organisation working at EU level. 7th October – Pendo attended the Green 10 lunch-time reception on ecosystems and climate change in the European Parliament as part of the Civil Society Contact Group fair. |
| 10/09/2009 | 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" (pictured here) is available in English, French, German and Spanish. Gee said that the dilemma in environmental health was "to know and not to know" and "to act and not to act". He emphasised the need for scientific expertise to be as free of financial and legal control as possible and said that decisions should be taken on the basis of the strength of evidence (as in legal cases) and on the relative importance of being wrong. He said that the multicausality of a medical condition, such as cancer for example, could lead to what seemed to be conflicting research results. This would tend to make scientists cautious about taking a stand. However, he felt that acceptance was growing that more co-founders are actually co-factors. Multicausality also meant that removing one of the contributory factors, such as exposure to traffic air pollution in a child at risk of asthma, could break the chain. On nanotechnology, Gee said research into the technological applications was ten times higher than that invested in assessments of health and environmental risks. He saw this as short-sighted in securing the future of this technology. |
| 10/09/2009 | 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 exhibition here and the concept papers - nature and health and climate change New WHO Regional Director for Europe is Susanna Jacobs, who co- chaired the EEHC in the run up to the Budapest Ministerial Conference in 2004. HEAL’s action on environment and health New competition on Children’s Environmental Health Launch. 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. Read more HEAL will be providing comments from the health community to discussions during the next drafting committee meeting for the Parma Ministerial Declaration on 13 October in Parma, Italy and the EEHC on 14-15 October. HEAL will be participating in DGSANCO’s Expert Group on Indoor Air Quality on October 21 in Luxembourg. HEAL will be attending the EU Partnership on Action Against Cancer (2009-2013) launch event on September 29th, and will report back to you. Find more about the launch here In the official Communication, there are already specific suggestions about the possible work of the partnership on primary prevention (in general, not necessarily specific to environmental prevention). However, a lot will depend on the groups that get involved and participate in the foreseen workgroups. Prevention has its own workgroup, but there is also potential for constructive input on primary prevention in the Research, and the Information and Data workgroups. Preparatory meetings will be held this autumn with joint action is 2010. Your action Feedback: Can you provide expertise or participte in any Cancer Partnership workgroup? We can coordinate and exchange information. Please email Gill Erskine Enter the CEHAPE Good Practice Awards, we want to hear about your projects and campaigns in children’s environment and health. The winners of each category will be awarded 1,000 Euros towards their project, and will be invited to present their project at the Parma Ministerial. Read more |
| 10/09/2009 | 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 children's health in a changing environment, the Conference will drive Europe's agenda on emerging environmental health challenges for the years to come. Keeping children's health in the spotlight: Awarding good practice Children's health continues to be a leading concern; their health is at risk from a changing environment. The second CEHAPE Awards aim to uncover and highlight inspiring and innovative projects that promote children's environment and health. Entrants must be based in one or more countries of the 53 in the WHO Europe region (map with full list of countries) The winning entries will be invited to present their projects at the Conference of Ministers in Parma - March, 2010. The 2nd CEHAPE Awards have been developed jointly by Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF), Health & Environmental Alliance (HEAL), ISDE Austria and European Eco Forum, and are sponsored by the governments of Austria, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, and supported by the European Commission. How to enter: Tell us your story To enter the CEHAPE Good Practice Awards, we want to hear about your projects and campaigns in children's environment and health. There are eight individual categories for entry; • Water and/or Sanitation, • Accidents and/or Physical Activity, • Indoor air and/or Outdoor air, • Chemicals and or Radiation, • Youth participation, Mobility, • Climate protection, Schools. The winners of each category will be awarded 1,000 Euros towards their project, and will be invited to present their project at the Parma Ministerial. If you are involved in a project to protect children's environmental health, please send us a completed entry form. Information about the call is available in English, Romanian, Russian, Karghiz, Bulgarian, Serbian, Macedonian, Armenian and Georgian. However, the entry form can only be filled out in English and Russian The deadline for submission of entries is 7 December 2009. The winners across the eight categories will be announced on 22nd January, 2010. Please help us by disseminating this announcement through your own networks. Good luck, we look forward to receiving your entries! |
| 31/08/2009 | Is the EU standardisation process at odds with public health priorities? European standardisation boosts trade by contributing to the development of the Single Market but the process can be used against public health interests. By removing "technical barriers"* to trade, it is generally agreed that standardisation plays a vital role in ensuring the free movement of goods between Member States. However, this increasingly important policy-making process at the EU level may be presenting a threat to public health. Consider the statements from HEAL member, The European Child Saftey Alliance (ECOSA) and from the Smoke Free Partnership (reported on EPHA website) during the past year. In making recommendations on the implementation of the Toys Directive, ECOSA says that a comitology procedure should be adopted "to allow the directive to be adapted quickly to new developments or risks, thereby avoiding a long co-decision process or a standardisation procedure." Delays in the standardisation process may be deliberately created by industry. A proposal that all cigarettes sold throughout the European Union should be self-extinguishing was intended for implementation by 2011. The Smoke Free Partnership says "fire safer" cigarettes are a proven, practical, and effective way to eliminate the risk of cigarette-ignited home fires. The CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) has the mandate for setting the European standard. In November 2008, Finland’s Parliament approved a proposal to regulate the ignition propensity of cigarettes. The new requirements follow the examples of Canada, Australia and several U.S. States, using ASTM E2187-04 standard. It will be implemented next year. Meanwhile, however, a joint group bringing together the tobacco and safety experts has been set up at ISO level to discuss fire safer cigarettes. The Smoke Free Partnership says that it is their understanding that the tobacco experts in this group will point to other standards that are less proven than ASTM E 2187, and attempt to slow down the standardization process. Slowing down the standardization process will slow implementation. Some countries, such as the UK, say they are waiting for a European standard before consulting on a national standard. |
| 10/08/2009 | Newsletter July - August 2009 Environment and Health Policy France releases its second plan on environment and health The French government has published its second action plan aimed to reduce health risks from environmental pollution over the next five years, and demands significant cuts in the emissions of six toxic substances. The government will spend €490 million on implementing the plan that contains twelve key measures for the period 2009-13, including a 30% cut in the emissions to air and water of six toxic substances. These substances are mercury, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), (...) Is the EU standardisation process at odds with public health priorities? European standardisation boosts trade by contributing to the development of the Single Market but the process can be used against public health interests. By removing "technical barriers"* to trade, it is generally agreed that standardisation plays a vital role in ensuring the free movement of goods between Member States. However, this increasingly important policy-making process at the EU level may be presenting a threat to public health. Consider the statements from HEAL member, The (...) Sweden: the new EU Presidency On July 1st, Sweden took over the European Union’s six-month rotating presidency from the Czech Republic. With the newly elected European Parliament due to begin its work imminently and a new Commission to be appointed, combined with a backdrop of Europe’s battle with economic recession and the EU’s uncertain institutional future, the Swedish motto of “taking on the challenge” could hardly be more apt. In their six-month run, from July through December, the Swedish Presidency of the (...) About us & our members The Natural Health Service: a new campaign for healthier lifestyles HEAL member, Natural England, has launched a new campaign, designed to provide more open spaces in cities as a way of dealing with the mounting health problems caused by urbanised, sedentary lifestyles. In the face of projections suggesting that nine out of ten adults in the UK could be overweight or obese by 2050, Natural England have launched the ‘Natural Health Service’ which calls for a step-change in the way that people are given access to green spaces and the ways in which outdoor (...) Call for global action on Chronic Respiratory Disease The World Health Organisation (WHO) and HEAL member, the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases (EFA), brought together over 150 international delegates to discuss the growing epidemic of Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRD) that affects one billion people worldwide, and is responsible for four million deaths annually. The conference, held in Rome in mid-June, discussed the implementation of a five-year initiative to unite policy makers, providers and patient groups. EFA and (...) HEAL and MDRGF launch new network for health risks from pesticides exposures HEAL (the Health and Environment Alliance) and our French NGO member, MDRGF (Movement for the Rights and Respect of Future Generations) and have launched at network for people with health problems related to pesticide exposure. The launch took place at a press conference on Thursday 18 June 2009 in Paris. Aurèle Clémencin, who is joint pesticides campaign coordinator for MDRGF and HEAL in France, said: "We want to help people who are affected, by raising awareness of the dangers of (...) HEAL Secretariat News July - August 2009 Staff changes In July we said goodbye to Monica Guarinoni, HEAL Deputy Director. Monica is moving to work on environmental projects with the European Commission. Having been with HEAL since our beginnings, Monica’s hard work and cheerful outlook will be missed very much. We wish her the best of luck for her new position, and are very thankful that her new office is only 100 meters from HEAL! From September, Gill Erskine who joined the HEAL team in March as an intern, will be starting as (...) New research on environmental justice in Roma communities Environmental injustice and the social exclusion of Roma communities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has roots in historical patterns of ethnic exclusion and widening socioeconomic inequalities, according to a new report. Tamara Steger, Vice-President of HEAL and assistant professor at the Centre for Environmental Policy and Law in Hungary, has co-authored a new publication on environmental justice in Roma communities. The report finds that historical patterns of ethnic exclusion and (...) Chemicals Main chemical industry lobby group’s registration deemed inaccurate Following a complaint by Friends of the Earth Europe, the European Commission has suspended the main lobby group of the chemical industry in Brussels from the lobby register for 8 weeks from July 20th. The Commission deemed the lobby registration of the European chemical industry council, CEFIC, as inaccurate. CEFIC represents 29,000 companies, employs more than 170 staff and claims a yearly budget of 37.9 million Euros. Yet, CEFIC estimated that its costs directly related to representing (...) New report on reproductive health and fertility A new report providing a non technical summary of the latest science on how exposure to chemicals may impair our reproductive health as been released the Programme for Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE). The English version was launched earlier this year, in July this version was translated into Spanish. Shaping Our Legacy is a non-technical summary of the latest science on reproductive health and how it may be impaired by environmental chemicals. The report outlines what (...) Pesticides EU proposes ban of highly hazardous biocides The European Commission has published a draft for the revision of the ten-year old directive which regulates the authorisation and placing on the market of approx. 50,000 household pesticides, from moth spray, disinfectants to wood preservatives within the EU. Environmental lobby group, the Pesticides Action Network Germany (PAN Germany) have called for improvements. In its proposed regulation, published on 12 June 2009 and replacing EC Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) 98/8/EC, the (...) New report on EU pesticide monitoring In July, the European Food Safety Authority released their latest report on EU monitoring on pesticide residues in food. The report provides an overview of pesticide residue monitoring in food, analysed in 2007 across the 27 EU Member States and the two EFTA (European Free Trade Association) States, Norway and Iceland, who signed the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA agreement). It goes on to reveal results from the assessment of the chronic and acute risks to consumers’ health (...) Climate Change Irish Doctors call for health focus in climate change talks HEAL member, The Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA), have joined the HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH E) campaign for health to become central to United Nations (UN) climate change discussions in December. On the 7th July, IDEA wrote to the Irish Minister for Health, John Gormley, to stress the multiple health impacts of climate change nationally and globally and the necessity to bring a focus on health to the impeding UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (...) Air Quality Campaign launched to ensure better air quality in London The UK government is failing by a wide margin to meet its legal obligations to combat air pollution in London. Environmental law and policy organisation, ClientEarth, have a launched a new campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London in time for 2012 Olympics. London has the worst air quality in the UK and some of the worst in Europe. Recent figures have suggested that air pollution directly contributes to around 3,000 deaths each year in London alone – subsequent (...) Commission rejects bulk of air quality derogations The European Commission has rejected most requests from member states to extend a deadline for meeting EU air quality standards on fine particles. Nine member states requested time extensions for meeting the EU air quality standards for particulate matter (PM10) for a total of 94 zones, however on July 3rd, the Commission announced they would reject 75 out of the 94 requests. The 75 rejected requests covered zones in Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France and Slovakia. The Commission (...) New international treaty requires industries to report on pollutants In September of this year, Industries throughout the European Union will be required to report annually on the levels of pollutants they release. The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Aarhus Convention, signed by thirty-six governments and the European Community in May 2003 in Kiev, Ukraine, is set to enter into force on 8 October 2009 following France’s ratification, which was declared on10 July. Pollutant (...) Public Participation Commission launches youth health initiative Involving young people more actively in developing EU health policies is the aim of a new initiative by the European Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou. Last week over 200 young people, from across Europe, attended the launch conference on Youth Health in Brussels. Throughout the conference, the young people had the opportunity to meet with policymakers and health organisations to debate key health issues, such as the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs, or physical (...) |
| 10/08/2009 | Commission launches youth health initiative Involving young people more actively in developing EU health policies is the aim of a new initiative by the European Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou. Last week over 200 young people, from across Europe, attended the launch conference on Youth Health in Brussels. Throughout the conference, the young people had the opportunity to meet with policymakers and health organisations to debate key health issues, such as the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs, or physical activity, mental health and environmental health. The conference was organised jointly with the European Youth Forum and accompanied by a website including a blog where young people can have their say on health. Key note speakers included H.R.H Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, France's High representative for Youth Martin Hirsch, World Health Organisation's deputy regional director for Europe Nata Menabde and President of the European Youth Forum Tine Radinja. Youth participants spoke in each session, and the conference was webstreamed. The Youth Health initiative aims to: involve young people more closely in EU health policies strengthen youth partnership in the decision making process; involve other sectors across EU policy areas and at national level on the implementation of prevention programs targeted at young people; support Member States' activities on the health of young people. Vasilliou brought the conference to a close, and drew on four main points of focus that had emerged. These were – Youth participation and empowerment; Inequalities and vulnerabilities; Communicating health messages effectively to young people; Mainstreaming health across wider policy areas. The conference marks the very beginning of the process of youth involvement in health policy making, and there is still a long way to go – but it is encouraging to see the EC taking these steps. Youth Camp on Environment and Health The day before the conference, youth participants were part of workshops on specific themes ranging form youth and alcohol to communicating health. The Health and Environment Alliance facilitated the workshop on environment and health – focusing specifically on the dual themes of chemicals and climate change. The themes were lead by Lisette Van Vliet and Gill Erskine respectively. The workshop was a fantastic opportunity for HEAL to become more proactively involved in issues affecting young people and to hear first hand about new initiatives taking place throughout Europe. From September, HEAL will take a more active role in youth issues, as we will welcome Alina Bezhenar from Russia who will coordinate HEAL youth participation. Alina is also a youth delegate for the World Health Organisation’s Children and Environmental Health Action Plan (CEHAPE) , and will be attending the WHO 5th ministerial conference on environment and health in Parma in March 2010. Learn about chemicals the fun way. Read our comic book Choosing Our Future Read more about HEAL's campaign to put health at the centre of the Copenhagen climate negotiations |
| 10/08/2009 | New international treaty requires industries to report on pollutants In September of this year, Industries throughout the European Union will be required to report annually on the levels of pollutants they release. The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Aarhus Convention, signed by thirty-six governments and the European Community in May 2003 in Kiev, Ukraine, is set to enter into force on 8 October 2009 following France’s ratification, which was declared on10 July. Pollutant release and transfer registers are inventories of pollutants from industrial sites, but also smaller, widespread sources such as traffic, agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises. Under the Protocol, facilities will be required to report annually on the amounts of certain pollutants they release to the environment or transfer to other facilities. The information will then be placed on a public register accessible through the Internet. The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTs) will help identify the biggest polluters in communities across Europe. The Protocol also covers facilities releasing large quantities of greenhouse gases known to contribute to global warming and thus offers a new tool to countries battling climate change. In the past, public disclosure of information about pollutant releases has led companies to improve their environmental performance. Citizens in countries requiring industries to report on their releases and transfers of significant pollutants will therefore wield a powerful tool in the fight for a cleaner and safer environment. Jan Kubiš, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, described this new international law as “a milestone in the advancement of public access to information about sources of environmental pollution in the UNECE region”. Several parties to the Protocol have released their Registers on the Internet over the past months: Switzerland in February, Spain in March, the United Kingdom in April and Germany in June 2009. The European Union’s 27 Member States are expected to release their first annual reports on the release and transfer of the Protocol’s list of pollutants on 30 September 2009. |
| 10/08/2009 | Commission rejects bulk of air quality derogations The European Commission has rejected most requests from member states to extend a deadline for meeting EU air quality standards on fine particles. Nine member states requested time extensions for meeting the EU air quality standards for particulate matter (PM10) for a total of 94 zones, however on July 3rd, the Commission announced they would reject 75 out of the 94 requests. The 75 rejected requests covered zones in Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France and Slovakia. The Commission believed that the conditions have not been met because insufficient data had been provided or because the measures outlined in the air quality plans submitted to the Commission did not demonstrate that the standards would be met at the expiry of the exemption period. "Compliance with the standards must be our priority," said EU environment commission Stavros Dimas. Where extensions have been rejected, member states must either re-apply citing new evidence, or comply with the limits in the shortest possible time to ward off infringement proceedings. The commission approved exemption requests for 19 pollution zones in Austria, Germany and Hungary, after finding that they satisfied the conditions set in the Clean Air for Europe (Café) air quality directive. They will now have until June 2011 to meet the PM10 concentration limits, which should have been achieved in 2005. Member States may re-notify for zones where the Commission has raised objections if they provide new information to demonstrate fulfillment of the conditions. Decisions on the remaining PM10 time extension notifications are expected later in the year. |
| 10/08/2009 | Irish Doctors call for health focus in climate change talks HEAL member, The Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association (IDEA), have joined the HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH E) campaign for health to become central to United Nations (UN) climate change discussions in December. On the 7th July, IDEA wrote to the Irish Minister for Health, John Gormley, to stress the multiple health impacts of climate change nationally and globally and the necessity to bring a focus on health to the impeding UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) talks in December and beyond. The letter highlighted not only the absence of public health and health care communities in the discussions, but also the substantial role that Health ministers can play in raising awareness and planning for adaptation and mitigation within the health sector. The HEAL and HCWH E campaign has three key messages, which were emulated by IDEA, these are; > More health representation and awareness - lead the way in ensuring increased representation > Increase public health benefits of climate change > Promote equitable funding mechanisms and support for climate change mitigation and adaptation It is fantastic to see HEAL members joining the campaign and pressure being applied at member state level. We will look forward to hearing Minister Gormley’s response. |
| 10/08/2009 | New report on EU pesticide monitoring In July, the European Food Safety Authority released their latest report on EU monitoring on pesticide residues in food. The report provides an overview of pesticide residue monitoring in food, analysed in 2007 across the 27 EU Member States and the two EFTA (European Free Trade Association) States, Norway and Iceland, who signed the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA agreement). It goes on to reveal results from the assessment of the chronic and acute risks to consumers’ health due to pesticide residues in food. Through surveillance sampling, 4% of fruit and vegetables exceeded the Maximum Residue Limits Standards (MRL). These levels are similar to the previous year’s sampling, but these are estimated to drop next year with the new 2008 standards in place. The targeted sampling allow for an 11% exceedance in fruit & vegetables. In 2007, 74,305 samples of 350 different food stuffs were analysed for pesticide residues under the national and the EU coordinated programmes. This included 71,936 surveillance samples and 2,369 enforcement samples. Compared with 2006, the total number of samples increased by 12.9%. This increase can be partially attributed to the fact that the two newest EU Member States, Bulgaria and Romania, have reported their data for the first time. The number of pesticides sought in 2007 sees a 13% increase from the previous year. On average, reporting countries tested for 218 different pesticides. In total, residues of 354 different pesticides were found in measurable quantities in fruit and vegetables, while in cereals residues of 72 different pesticides were observed. The number of different pesticide residues found in fruit and vegetables in 2007 was higher than the number of pesticides found in cereals. Read the full report |
| 10/08/2009 | EU proposes ban of highly hazardous biocides The European Commission has published a draft for the revision of the ten-year old directive which regulates the authorisation and placing on the market of approx. 50,000 household pesticides, from moth spray, disinfectants to wood preservatives within the EU. Environmental lobby group, the Pesticides Action Network Germany (PAN Germany) have called for improvements. In its proposed regulation, published on 12 June 2009 and replacing EC Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) 98/8/EC, the Commission announced its intention to ban the future the use of biocides which are carcinogenic, have a negative impact on reproduction or are mutagen, or influence the endocrine system. Furthermore, the draft intends to label articles and materials treated with biocides, e.g. textiles with antibacterial additives or carpets fitted against moth damage. The labeling of products is hoped to protect consumers against hazardous substances prohibited within the EU, but which are still used abroad. Treated leather couches or anti-sweat socks containing authorised biocides should be labelled in the future, and if necessary, hazard statements should be added. Susanne Smolka, expert for biocides at PAN Germany: "We welcome the draft of the European Commission as it strengthens consumer protection and increases transparency. However, the draft is in urgent need of improvements. For example, exclusion criteria for particularly hazardous environmental properties are urgently needed." Examples of biocidal products released directly into the environment are the anti-fouling paint used on ships´ hulls, or the increasingly common façade protection against fungi and algae used on buildings. Studies prove that significant quantities of environmentally harmful substances are washed out of the façades during rain. |
| 10/08/2009 | New report on reproductive health and fertility A new report providing a non technical summary of the latest science on how exposure to chemicals may impair our reproductive health as been released the Programme for Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE). The English version was launched earlier this year, in July this version was translated into Spanish. Shaping Our Legacy is a non-technical summary of the latest science on reproductive health and how it may be impaired by environmental chemicals. The report outlines what clinicians, health affected groups, policy makers, community activists, researchers and scientists can do to create environments that are healthier for fertility and reproduction: expand scientific knowledge of how chemicals harm reproductive health; translate this knowledge to improve health care and community efforts to protect their environments; and strengthen government protections against harmful chemical exposures. PRHE is part of the University of California, they aim to create a healthier environment for human reproduction and development through advancing scientific inquiry, clinical care and health policies that prevent exposures to harmful chemicals in our environment. This collaborative work requires a common language, Shaping Our Legacy will serve as a starting point for this important communication. The new Spanish translation now makes this information available to the Spanish-speaking population in the United States, Latin America, Europe and around the globe. So far, 1,200 printed copies of the English version have been distributed and over 9,500 electronic copies of the report have been downloaded from the website. They hope that the Spanish translation will expand the reading audience, domestically and internationally and transmit our message to a larger portion of the global community. |
| 10/08/2009 | Main chemical industry lobby group’s registration deemed inaccurate Following a complaint by Friends of the Earth Europe, the European Commission has suspended the main lobby group of the chemical industry in Brussels from the lobby register for 8 weeks from July 20th. The Commission deemed the lobby registration of the European chemical industry council, CEFIC, as inaccurate. CEFIC represents 29,000 companies, employs more than 170 staff and claims a yearly budget of 37.9 million Euros. Yet, CEFIC estimated that its costs directly related to representing interests to EU institutions, in 2007, were less than 50,000 Euros [1]. On 10 June 2009, Friends of the Earth Europe submitted a complaint to the European Commission about this figure. As the reported lobby budget should include staff costs for lobbying, but also costs for publications, position papers and lobby events, the figure is unrealistically low. The Commission has now concluded that the Secretariat General has received some information from CEFIC that led it to consider that the declaration of CEFIC may indeed raise problems as regards its estimation of expenditures which appears to be underestimated, therefore breaching rule 4 of the code of conduct. The Commission has therefore suspended CEFIC for a period of 8 weeks from the register. CEFIC is invited to correct its stated lobby budget. At the end of this period, the Secretariat General will re-examine the situation in the light of any new elements. Before submitting the complaint to the Commission, Friends of the Earth Europe asked CEFIC for a clarification of their lobby budget. CEFIC never responded to this request. Paul de Clerck, Corporates Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe said CEFIC is not at all transparent about its lobby work. They made a joke of the Commission’s lobby register by reporting a completely false lobby budget. "We are pleased to see that the Commission is not accepting this type of behaviour", he said. Friends of the Earth Europe calls on the Commission to exclude CEFIC from further lobby events and opportunities, until they have reported correctly and in full openness about their lobby budgets. |
| 10/08/2009 | Sweden: the new EU Presidency On July 1st, Sweden took over the European Union's six-month rotating presidency from the Czech Republic. With the newly elected European Parliament due to begin its work imminently and a new Commission to be appointed, combined with a backdrop of Europe's battle with economic recession and the EU’s uncertain institutional future, the Swedish motto of “taking on the challenge” could hardly be more apt. In their six-month run, from July through December, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will focus on climate change, the financial crisis and EU institutional structure. With the Copenhagen UN conference on climate change in December, one of the presidency’s key priorities is to push for a new global agreement. Sweden is not only pushing for more commitment from the EU in the climate talks, but is calling for more effort on the part of other large economies, such as the US. They also state that more support must be given to developing countries already affected by climate change, while encouraging them to take a development path - taking into consideration the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also argue that the EU's emissions trading scheme, which covers only 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, is not enough to address climate change rapidly and effectively. They call for CO2 taxation – something that Sweden have already embarked upon. The ambition of the Presidency is to develop cooperation between their different policy areas of the economy and climate change, so that positive economic growth can be combined with reduced burden on the climate and environment. Whilst a run of EU presidency only lasts six months, this can be enough to set the agenda for change. We hope that the focus on climate change now, will help the EU push harder for a global agreement at Copenhagen and beyond. |
| 10/08/2009 | France releases its second plan on environment and health The French government has published its second action plan aimed to reduce health risks from environmental pollution over the next five years, and demands significant cuts in the emissions of six toxic substances. The government will spend €490 million on implementing the plan that contains twelve key measures for the period 2009-13, including a 30% cut in the emissions to air and water of six toxic substances. These substances are mercury, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), benzene, chlorinated solvent perchloroethylene (PCE) and PCBs and dioxins. Other measures include a 30% reduction in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration levels by 2015. 2004 saw the launch of the first environment and health action plan. A mid-term review of the plan's implementation showed slow progress in reducing emissions of particulate matter from diesel engines. In 2007, the Government issued a mid-term term review of the plan. The review reveals that most of the plan's 45 actions had been implemented, but progress was slow in ten areas, particularly in reducing emissions of particulate matter from diesel engines. |
| 10/08/2009 | Inside the new Parliament How different will the atmosphere for health and environment be in the new European Parliament now that the composition is conservative-led and made up of significantly more Eurosceptics? Firstly, the European Parliament has always shown support for environmental health issues across all political parties. Irish conservative Avril Doyle was among our staunchest supporters in the last parliament. This parliament sees the re-election of Frédérique Ries (ALDE, BE) who was the biggest campaigner for environment health issues as the reporter for many key files. In addition, the new President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek (EPP) of Poland is environment-friendly. He was formerly a member of Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, (ENVI). Behind the four leading EP political groups – European People's Party (EPP), Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), and the Greens European Free Alliance (Greens EFA) - come the new European Conservative & Reformist (ECR) group in fifth place. The ECR is the group of 25 UK, 15 Polish, 9 Czech MEPs and one representative from each of Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands. A second party of sceptics, known as the Freedom and Democracy party has 32 members, including 13 from the strongly-anti EU UK Independent Party. It is encouraging to see that the new chair of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee is Joe Leinen, who is strongly committed to environmental concerns, a heavyweight politician, and a firm believer in support for civil society in European dialogue. Among his first tasks in his new role as ENVI Chair, Joe Leinen will give the keynote address to a reception organised by the Green 10 coalition of environmental non-governmental organisations (of which HEAL is a member) on 1 September. As always, HEAL will be relying on its members and other health stakeholders at the European level to bring health and environment concerns to MEPs at all possible opportunities. As a first step, we are holding this year's Annual General Meeting to coincide with an important "Civil Society Contact Group Event" in the parliament where advocacy work with the many MEPs who plan to attend can begin in earnest. |
| 07/08/2009 | Campaign launched to ensure better air quality in London The UK government is failing by a wide margin to meet its legal obligations to combat air pollution in London. Environmental law and policy organisation, ClientEarth, have a launched a new campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London in time for 2012 Olympics. London has the worst air quality in the UK and some of the worst in Europe. Recent figures have suggested that air pollution directly contributes to around 3,000 deaths each year in London alone – subsequent research has indicated that the figure may be significantly higher than this. The air quality failures in the capital are part of a wider national problem, with an estimated healthcare cost of up to £21 billion every year. In July, ClientEarth launched their ‘Clean Air for London’ campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws. The UK, along with sixteen* other EU member states, have asked the European Commission for more time to reach the air quality limits. The timing for the campaign could not better, with London due to take centre stage with the 2012 Olympics this is no time for the UK to be dragging their feet. European law has set targets to reduce levels of dangerous airborne particles (known as PM10). Greater London has failed to meet these targets in every year since they became legally binding in 2005. The Government recently applied for a time extension for complying with these limits, despite having already missed the deadline set by the European Commission for doing so. By obtaining an extension, the UK Government aims to avoid fines and win more time to address a pressing problem that should have been prioritised years ago. To demonstrate its resolve to protect public health, the European Commission has launched infringement action over the initial legal breach. ClientEarth does not believe that the UK government is legally eligible for a time extension for PM10. The UK does not meet the preconditions required by European legislation for the time extension and current plans to eliminate breaches of PM10 in London by June 2011 are not credible. Therefore, ClientEarth is taking legal action to compel the government to comply with its air quality obligations. On 27 July 2009 ClientEarth wrote to the European Commission urging it to reject the government’s request for a time extension on PM10 in London. Without a delayed deadline it will have to take decisive action now, rather than prolong its obligations while more Londoners suffer the health effects of poor air quality. The UK government can and should make great efforts to improve London air quality in time for the London 2012 Olympics. Actions taken to tackle air pollution will save lives, improve the quality of life of all Londoners and save billions of pounds in healthcare costs. - HEAL and our member organisation, the European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Association (EFA), have recently entered their second year of their European air quality campaign. In 2008 we set up a website (in 3 languages) to inform European citizens of the air quality in their area. This year we will translate the website into a further four languages and, with the help of EFA members, we will write to those member state governments that have applied for time extensions to enquire if they have carried out health impact assessments of not meeting the limit values. Read more here |
| 30/06/2009 | 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 health risks associated with GM food such as infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. Their conclusions state that the relationship between GM food and adverse health effects is no longer questionable, there is real causation. "GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health." AAEM is an international association of physicians addressing the clinical aspects of environmental health. In summary the latest position paper calls for: • A moratorium on GM food, implementation of immediate long term safety testing and labeling of GM food. • Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community and the public to avoid GM foods. • Physicians to consider the role of GM foods in their patients' disease processes. • More independent long term scientific studies to begin gathering data to investigate the role of GM foods on human health. “Multiple animal studies have shown that GM foods cause damage to various organ systems in the body” highlighted Dr. Amy Dean, an internal medicine specialist and Board Member of AAEM. She went on to explain, that “with mounting evidence then, it is imperative to have a moratorium on GM foods for the safety of the people’s health.” The biologist Pushpa M. Bhargava supported this view. Citing his own research of over 600 scientific journals, he concludes that genetically modified organisms are a major contributor to the sharply deteriorating health of Americans. Read AAEM's position paper on Genetically Modified foods Read more about GMOs |
| 30/06/2009 | 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 chemical risks in five main areas, and to set up efforts to achieve sound chemical management by 2020. However, the progress on the management of nanomaterials was met with frustration by the NGO community. Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith, Co-Chair of the International POPs Elimination Network criticised the outcome, saying delegates agreed on "loose proposals for some modest actions [on nanotechnology] over the next three years: consultation, information sharing, meetings and workshops in different regions". Lloyd-Smith also called for more funding from the chemical industry to finance SAICM's work. Pointing that little progress would be made with out it. The meeting in May aimed to review the implementation of SAICM so far. Adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) in 2006, SAICM is a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals. It supports the achievement of the goal (agreed at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development) of ensuring that, by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimise significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. Read the UN press release The IPEN press release Read more about nanomaterials |
| 30/06/2009 | 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 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations, International researchers from several countries deliver talks on selected topics. Researchers, public health authorities, as well as authorities representing legislative, executive and judiciary governmental bodies in Brazil, other South American countries, Europe, and the United States, were also in attendance. According to the principal organizer, Dr. Alvaro A. de Salles, a professor at the Universidate Federal Du Rio Grande Del Do Sol., in Porto Alegre, Brazil, "The conference presented a unique opportunity for people to hear lectures that form the basis to initiate discussions among Brazilian and foreign scientists and public health authorities on the potential biological and health consequences of exposure to EMF, and to discuss exposure limits to minimize such hazards" For more information on the conference and it’s outcomes keep an eye on the website |
| 30/06/2009 | New article 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 are affected with allergies or asthma; the increasing obesity, diabetes and incapacitating diseases; This speech would like to make us believe that all of this is inevitable, or that is only a matter of individual responsibility. We do not regard this situation as normal! Because our bodies and those of our children are immersed in widespread chemical pollution, Because our food is increasingly artificial and contaminated by pesticides and additives, Because marketing pushes us to being compulsive consumers of material products and fast food, Because new technologies like mobile telephones, GMOs or nanotechnologies are developed without serious evaluation, Because we are seeing a decrease in biodiversity as well as a changing climate – it is not possible for humans to be in good health on a sick planet. We have launched the Appel de la Jeunesse to push health and the environment into the centre of the policy options. In summary; thorough scientific investigation is required in order to guarantee that progress will benefit humans and the environment. Below is a the list of speakers present at the roundtable– Gilles-Eric SERALINI: Expert for the French government and the European Community on genetically modified organisms. Maël RANNOU: Student, Co-president of Fac Verte Paris. Pierre the RUZ: European expert on the question of the electromagnetic fields. Roland DESBORDES: Physicist, President of Criirad. François VEILLERETTE: President of the MDRGF, former President de Greenpeace. Albert-Claude QUEMOUN: Professor of Pharmacology. Yorghos REMVIKOS: Professor at the Faculty of Medicine. Maria FURRIER: President de BioConvergence Rhône-Alpes. See the website for more details. Read more about how to avoid chemical exposure in your everyday life |
| 30/06/2009 | 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 two aims: >To increase the profile of older people’s views in environmental decision-making; and >To address the practical challenges that older people face in making greener choices. The Taskforce members, aged between 52 to 90, were supported by The Green Alliance, a UK based environmental think tank, in conjunction with Natural England and two NGOs, Age Concern and Help the Aged. They debated a variety of green issues with experts to develop a set of recommendations for change. The new Greener and Wiser Manifesto aims to increase the profile of older people’s views in environmental decision-making and address the practical challenges that older people face in making greener choices. The recommendations of the manifesto seek to provide older people with a greater say on environmental issues, make greener choices easier and capitalise on their potential to help build more sustainable communities. The manifesto also highlights what the taskforce expect of government, of businesses and of the older population in the UK. Their recommendations include: >Training older people as volunteer environmental advisers in their communities > Consulting older people at the local level to ‘age-proof’ environmental strategies > Developing intergenerational projects for young and old to explore the environment together > Appointing a high profile champion for older people and the environment, making it more relevant to older people and their lives > Reducing waste and promoting reuse > Supporting older people better in making green energy choices. The organisers claims that age should not be a barrier to being green, but so often efforts to engage people with the environmental debate and to promote behaviour change focus on younger people. Older people can contribute to the environmental debate, their experience and enthusiasm should be drawn on and not ignored. As the people in the UK and across much of Europe live longer, the views and actions of the older generation in the climate change debate become ever more important. As Governments look to promote methods of behaviour change across society, the taskforce recommends that the potential of older people should not be overlooked. Many older people are well placed within their respective communities to share environmental messages and to make green issues more relevant to people’s daily lives. “Our environment is a legacy for coming generations and older people care about what we are leaving. We have an important role in our communities and we want a say in decisions that affect us and better information and support to help us take green action” – The Greener and Wise Taskforce. Read the Greener and Wiser – an older people’s manifesto on the environment. Read more about the Green Alliance |
| 30/06/2009 | 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 New York. The report presents recommendations to help people adapt to the already visible effects of climate change. The key message here is to create a more holistic approach to tackling the two major problems of our time, climate change and poverty. Emphasising that context matters, the Commission has studied climate change impacts in vulnerable environments in different parts of the world. Different exposure to climate risks and different political and governance systems require different solutions to adapt to climate change effects. The report states that for the poorest communities, the priority is to strengthen their ability to manage risks and shocks, whilst for the richer environments adaptation will require more technical measures. In practice this will mean a combination of human and technical measures are required – the challenge being to achieve the right balance. Recommendations for Health The reports states that more focus is needed on building resilience and strengthening public health systems at all levels – with particular attention given to vulnerable groups. A greater emphasis must be placed on finding solutions that benefit health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The report states that climate change does not create new health hazards, but acts as a multiplier of existing health problems and changes the location of health concerns. Therefore, it is argued, a cost effective and efficient way of handling climate change adaptation is to add the climate dimension into existing programs. Focus must be place on how best to deal with short-term climate variability, as well as ensuring that systems remain resilient and adaptable to changing risks in the longer term. Finally, the report calls for more research on the links between climate change and health, as well as on the most effective adaptation measures. The Commission on Climate Change and Development gathers 13 professionals from around the world. It is chaired by the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation, Ms Gunilla Carlsson. The commission sets to bridge the gap between policy makers and organisations around the world. Read the report: Closing the Gaps Read HEAL’s ‘Co-benefits to Health of a Strong EU Climate Change Policy’ report Read more about climate change and health |
| 30/06/2009 | 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, through ongoing discussion and debate between high-level speakers from Europe and beyond, Green Week 2009 aims to examine routes to a carbon-free society by 2050 and how actions to address climate change can best serve conservation of the ecosystems that support life on Earth. Last year saw some 3,500 participants from EU institutions, business and industry, non-governmental organisations, public authorities, the scientific community and academia – this year looks set to be even larger. Conference Over the course of the three days Green Week 2009’s conference timetable will focus on the following four themes: > EU climate policies, > International dimension, > Living with climate change and, > 2050 Vision: a carbon-free society. There will be eight sessions on each theme – all of which will be streamed live on the Green Week site. The conference will be held in the Charlemagne Building, Brussels. Exhibition Alongside the conferences and also taking place also in the Charlemagne building, there will be an exhibition of projects, green business solutions, NGO activities, local and regional authorities, European and international bodies. HOW TO REGISTER Registration is now open for events of Green Week 2009 – you can do this either online or in person in the Charlemagne Building, Brussels. If you can't come all the way to Brussels, don't worry, all the debates will be streamed live on the Green Week site Subscribe to the Green Week mailing list to receive the detailed programme, news updates, etc. Visit the 2008 Green Week site - Only One Earth |
| 21/06/2009 | 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 used to produce the industrial chemicals chlorine and caustic soda since 1894. However since mercury free alternatives have appeared most producers have turned away from the old methods. Besides being inefficient, mercury-based "chlor-alkali" technology is a major source of mercury pollution to our air and water, however the report reveals there are still four producers relying on this technology that emit 15% of the nation's mercury pollution arising from chlorine production. The report states that in 2006, the four remaining mercury-based chlor-alkali facilities released over 2,000 pounds of mercury into the air –. The report highlights the costs of mercury pollution to society from these production plants. The effects of mercury exposure have huge societal costs, for example environmental harm to wildlife and heart disease and neurological damage in humans - but rarely are these recognised and investigated. Whilst the report indicates only a small percentage of the total costs of mercury pollution, it indicates these by quantifying the cost to society of reduced economic productivity, as measured by the reduction in the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of United States citizens attributable to mercury releases from chlor-alkali plants in the United States. For example in 2005, Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers concluded industrial mercury pollution yearly cost $3.1 billion in lost productivity nationwide due to lowered IQ scores. The report estimates that the four chlorine plants cost the nation about $8.4 million a year, and calls for their conversion to a mercury-free process used by 95% of the chemical's makers. The conclusions state that, "Mercury-based chlor-alkali production reduces the economic productivity of the United States and the world as a whole.” |
| 21/06/2009 | 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 Summary: Climate change and health – engaging the health community Report: Men under threat: Chemical cocktail threatens male reproductive health Report: Green 10 Manifesto Report: Off Target: The European Commission 2004- 2009 Environmental Progress Report & Lessons for the next Commission Factsheet: Climate Change and the Lungs Press Releases 27/05/2009 – Health Care Can Help Lead the Fight Against Climate Change 09/05/2009 – Call for "health check" at climate change talks Conferences and Meetings 4th – 8th May. Hana Kuncova attended the United Nations Environment Programme 4th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Geneva. 14th May. Pendo Maro and Genon Jenson attended the EU Health Policy Forum in Brussels. Genon gave a presentation entitled ‘NGO views of the health issues related to the adaptation to climate change’. 20th May. Gill Erskine attended a conference, Ultrafine Particles; Sources, Effects, Risks and Mitigation Strategies organised by the European Federation of Clean Air and Environmental Protection Associations 27th May. Lisette Van Vliet attended the European Chemicals Agency’s Second Stakeholder Day held in Helsinki and gave a presentation on the participation of public interest organisations in public consultations of the new European Chemicals legislation REACH. Lisette was quoted in ENDS Daily calling for "multiple risk assessment" in order to take into account the risks posed by multiple chemicals which are known to have common adverse effects, and that can act additively when there is simultaneous exposure. 4th June. Monica Guarinoni and Gill Erskine attended the fist meeting of the expert group on the Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides organised by DG environment. 9th June. Lisette attended "Regulating Chemicals Californian Green Chemistry and European REACH" - An Environmental Policy Forum hosted by The Institute for European Studies at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (IES) and the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) together with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). The event was held at the IES, Pleinlaan 15, 5th floor, 1050 Brussels. 10th – 12th June. Pendo attended the thirtieth sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Convention subsidiary bodies in Bonn, Germany. |
| 21/06/2009 | 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 Parliament, MEPs helped to ban some of the most hazardous pesticides in use in Europe, and voted in requirements on air quality to protect vulnerable groups. In several other areas MEPs have asked for important reviews, for example the standard review on electro-magnetic fields. Foci for new MEPs With the health threats from climate change and with new chemicals, wireless devices and nano- technologies being developed all the time, we hope the new Parliament will be even more ambitious in protecting health, particularly through environmental policy making. With climate change set to dominate the policy agenda and to challenge public health achievements in Europe, HEAL is particularly keen to gain commitment from MEPs on the need for health to be central to these discussions. HEAL’s election campaign Many HEAL members were very active in carrying out our pre-election campaign by asking candidate MEPs to pledge on ‘8 wishes for putting people's health and environment first’. In particular, the Italian Pediatric Cultural Association got many pledges back and launched the results with a press release in Italy. The French Reseau Environnement Santé also received a lot of cross-party feedback, as did the Irish Doctors. With the help of our members, we will now monitor the behaviour of the newly-elected MEPs and remind them of their commitment. We will use the 8 pledges as a framework for first contacts with new MEPs. As soon as the new Parliament reconvenes, HEAL will send them all a welcome letter reiterating our calls to: 1. Promote and protect public health as a means to economic recovery. 2. Ensure that all policies protect children’s health. 3. Support higher targets on carbon dioxide reductions to address climate change. 4. Help the EU reach a toxic-free future by 2020. 5. Support stricter standards on clean air. 6. Insist on mandatory safety testing of all nanomaterial. 7. Support lower exposure limits on electro-magnetic fields. 8. Encourage limits on noise for day and night. We also plan to organise meetings between MEPs and HEAL members in the context of the Annual General Assembly on October 6-7. Overview of the election results The centre-right European People's Party (EPP) gained 263 elected MEPs of the new 736-seat assembly - this does not account for the centre-right former EPP members including 25 UK Conservative MEPs who will create a new anti-federalist group. The Party of European Socialists (PES) won 163 seats, this is fewer than the previous parliament. The Green/EFA group increased its share of seats in the assembly by a fifth to just under 7%, this was driven by strong national support in France and Germany. The Liberal ALDE group was reduced slightly to 11% of the total share of seats but remain the parliament's third largest group. These results boosts Jose Manuel Barroso's prospects of securing a second five-year term as president of the European Commission. It remains to be seen how the result will affect the next parliament's stance on environmental issues. Some environmental groups will fear that the EPP's traditionally pro-industry positioning will lead to less support for green legislation. The new parliament will meet for its first plenary session on 14 July, when MEPs will elect a new president and chairs of parliamentary committees. The final composition of the various committees will be decided at a second plenary session starting on 20 July. |
| 21/06/2009 | 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 on, among other things, a failure to reform agriculture and fisheries policies, and, more broadly, to propose sustainable economic policies. But there were some positive notes, notably in climate, energy and transport policy. A weak focus on Health? The chapter on health, written by HEAL, states that although polls consistently show that citizens are concerned about the impact that the environment plays on their health, the Commission has only achieved a mark of 5/10 for its health-related policies. Whilst there have been some positives, such as achieving a global mercury ban and proposals to reduce air pollution there was not enough effectual action to protect people’s health. On chemicals, the Commission was divided over REACH, continued internal controversies between Commission units, for example on the criteria for some very hazardous chemicals, have since hindered the start of effective implementation of REACH. On air quality, the Commission proposed standards that were lower than those recommended by the World Health Organisation for ultra fine particles, thus failing to ensure adequate health protection. The revision of the National Emission Ceilings Directive is still on hold for an undetermined period, undermining better air quality for all and missing the health co-benefits of climate protection. On pesticides, the Commission played a key role in supporting criteria to eliminate the most hazardous pesticides on the market like carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins and hormone disruptors. However, it failed to ban other dangerous substances, i.e. those that harm the development of children’s brains, and to adopt quantitative targets for reducing pesticide use. At a time when Europe is gripped by economic and environmental crises, the environmental groups call on the next Commission to double its efforts over the next five years and put in place policies that benefit the environment and people’s health, and create sustainable economic growth and jobs. Off Target: the European Commission 2004-2009 Environmental Progress Report and Lessons from the next Commission was presented a press conference in Brussels on the 10th June. A panel of four directors for Green 10 organisations (namely Greenpeace, WWF European Policy Office, Climate Action Network Europe, and Friends of the Earth Europe) introduced the report – Monica from HEAL attended to take questions from journalists on the Health chapter. The conference was well attended by EU press and the report has received huge coverage as a result. Download the report here Read more about the Green 10 collation here |
| 21/06/2009 | 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. Pendo Maro, our new climate change and energy policy advisor for both the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH), is in Bonn this week (10-11 June 2009). She will urge the EU to take a lead in making health representation considerably more prominent in future climate change talks. In an Open Letter to the Commission, we have asked the EU to include a health delegation at the important COP 15 meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009, where a new agreement on climate change is anticipated. The World Health Organization is concerned that health is being marginalized in the discussions on climate change. At a recent High Level Meeting on Environment and Health in Bonn (27-29 April), Dr Roberto Bertollini stressed the need to give more attention to the health sector in the talks. In May, HEAL and HCWH Europe put their policy position to some key health policy makers taking part in the EU Health Policy Forum. We officially launched our collaboration on health and climate change shortly afterwards. The health community in Europe has already shown a strong and convincing commitment on climate change. In the UK, the Climate and Health Council is mobilising health professionals around the world. So far, doctors and health professionals in 106 countries have signed up to a "Pledge" that commits signatories to support for a meaningful deal being struck in Copenhagen. In the past few weeks, the Council has made it possible for all staff in the National Health Service (NHS) in England to view the "Age of Stupid", a film about climate change, for free at work. In September, the World Medical Association is planning a seminar in Copenhagen on climate change and health. The Standing Committee of Doctors in Europe (CPME) has already developed its response, including encouraging members to inform patients of the "doubled positive" effects that small changes in exercise and diet can have for health and the environment. HEAL member, the European Respiratory Society will be one of the first specialist medical society to publish recommendations on climate change and respiratory disease this August. It defines how those suffering from respiratory diseases will be affected, and highlights how respiratory doctors can become leaders in bringing the message home on the health benefits of tackling climate change. Last year, HEAL jointly co-produced an important research report on the co-benefits to health of a strong EU climate change policy. In May, HealthCare without Harm published a joint report with the World Health Organization on addressing climate change in the health sector. HEAL and the European Lung Foundation have also joined forces to develop a new fact sheet on climate change and respiratory health. HEAL’s vision on climate change goes well beyond both "health" and "Europe". In an article published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health earlier this year, Genon Jensen, HEAL’s Executive Director describes the need for health and well-being to be addressed via the so-called "health equity filter" approach. HEAL believes that any long-lasting, just, fair and equitable solution must be based on health equity and security. |
| 05/06/2009 | HEAL reports on colloquium on mobile telephones, WiFi, Wimax and health On the 12 January, the colloquium ‘Mobile telephones, WiFi, Wimax and health: state of affairs’ took place in Paris. The event was hosted by the French parliamentarian Noël Mamère and was co-organised by the French associations Robin des Toits, Fondation Sciences Citoyennes, the Paris trade-union SUPAP-FSU and the Centre de Recherche et d'Information Indépendantes sur les Rayonnements (CRIIREM). More than 150 concerned citizens and policy makers attended the event, at which several scientists were invited to give their view on the current state of affairs. One of the invited speakers was Prof. Olle Johansson, a neuroscientist working at the renowned Karolinska Institute in Sweden who has been following and researching the health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) since the 1970s. He pointed out that studies finding harmful effects of EMF have been accumulating for decades. The result is that today, we have a very large body of scientific evidence which points to the harmfulness of EMF. Mr. André Cicolella, a French environmental science researcher talked about the relative lack of independent scientific studies and the fact that official expert committees are often made up of experts with industry ties. Critical scientists are often not present in these committees. He regrets that these expert committees tend to ignore studies that find harmful effects. A lot of attention was also paid to the phenomenon of ‘electrosensitivity’ (EHS), a condition which implies a more than usual sensitivity to EMFs. The symptoms are wide-ranging and can include headaches, fatigue, insomnia, skin problems, tinnitus, concentration problems and much more. Prof. Belpomme, an eminent French cancer specialist and president of HEAL member ARTAC, provided the participants of the colloquium with a clinical description of this affliction, shed light on the possible causal mechanisms and drew attention to a report that he is preparing on the basis of an examination of 75 persons with EHS. Amongst the invited experts, there was a general recognition of the inadequacy of the current EMF exposure guidelines. The EU Recommendation on exposure limits was considered to be undemocratic, as the European Parliament, which represents the citizens, didn’t agree with the suggested limit values and argued for much stricter ones (more specifically 1 V/m). In September 2008, the European Parliament has again argued for much stricter exposure limits in its resolution on the mid-term review of the European Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010 and this was considered to be a significant step in the right direction. The experts and associations present agreed that the exposure limit should be lowered to 0.6 or maximum 1 Volt per meter. The experience in Salzburg (Austria), Valencia (Spain) and Toscane (Italy) shows that this is feasible. In addition to lowering the exposure limit, the organisation Robin des Toits proposed some other policy measures that need to be taken (for French, click here): Technologies like UMTS/3G and Wimax are not necessary and the health effects have not been researched. A moratorium should therefore be installed. A large scale campaign is needed to raise awareness among young people about the possible health risks of mobile phones and to teach how to use a mobile phone in a cautious way. The sale of mobile phones to children younger than 14 should be prohibited. Electrohypersensitivity should be officially recognised by governments and assistance should be provided. All internet connections should be wired (which is technically superior anyway) Measurements to check compliance with exposure limits should be carried out by independent control agencies, not by telecom operators themselves. The SAR value should be clearly mentioned on mobile and cordless DECT phones. Mobile phones should always be sold together with a wired headpiece. |
| 02/06/2009 | 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 professionals as well as products for the general public - specifically information on: • Community Presentations, • Case Studies in Environmental Medicine, • Grand Rounds in Environmental Medicine, and • Patient Education Instruction Sheets For more information please contact Micheal Hatcher from ATSDR Michael.Hatcher@cdc.hhs.gov |
| 21/05/2009 | 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 without adequate disposal facilities. The new report - Obsolete Pesticides; a ticking time bomb and why we have to act now - acknowledges the efforts of EU member states, particularly those in Eastern Europe, to eliminate these stocks but states that further measures are needed to deal with the problem. The report also highlights the large stocks held by neighbouring countries, outside of the European Union. The authors call for the EU to adopt rules that require producers to collect and destroy obsolete pesticides to eliminate stock completely as well as taking measures should also be taken to prevent the accumulation of new stocks. Assistance should also be given by the EU to help neighbouring regions eliminate the problem. The report calls on the commission to develop an action plan to address the problem in collaboration with non-EU countries, international organisations and other stakeholders. Further, the report calls for compulsory reporting on obsolete stockpiles by EU member states, and for the voluntary collection and destruction of obsolete stocks by pesticide manufactures. Read the report Obsolete Pesticides; a ticking time bomb and why we have to act now Read more about pesticides and human health risks |
| 21/05/2009 | Male reproductive health under threat A scientific review released today highlights the dangers of exposing people and especially pregnant women to hormone disrupting chemicals in consumer products, and focuses on the risks these pose to baby boys and the reproductive health of men. 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), may all have their origins during development in the womb. Testosterone, the male hormone, is needed to form a normal penis and to make the testicles ‘drop’ whilst the baby is in the uterus. Many everyday chemicals in the environment or in consumer products have the potential to block the action of testosterone, and a baby’s exposure to this mixture of chemicals may undermine this process and harm future male reproductive health. This new CHEM Trust report highlights that animal studies have clearly established that certain hormone disrupting chemicals, in particular testosterone disrupting chemicals, can cause TDS-like disorders. There are also two new publications for the general public which present these scientific findings on risk factors and TDS and the role of certain chemicals in the environment. These publications, which are available for downloading, include: A new briefing for the public entitled Evidence for men under threat: A referenced briefing on the decline in male reproductive health and the links with chemical exposure during in-utero development written by CHEM Trust (6 pages plus references) and A new leaflet entitled Men Under Threat: A leaflet on the decline in male reproductive health, and the potential role of exposure to chemicals jointly published by CHEM Trust and HEAL. |
| 21/05/2009 | 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 increase the list of the so-called "dirty dozen" to 21. The chemicals added are mainly pesticides and flame retardants (chlordecone, penta-BDE, hexabromobiphenyl, lindane, persistent perfluorinated compounds PFOS, octa-BDE, pentachlorobenzene, alpha-HCH and beta-HCH). The NGO, the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), of which HEAL is a member, has welcomed this move but calls for tighter control measures of three of the listed chemicals. The three substances in question include two flame retardants (pentaBDE and octaBDE) used in furniture foams and in electrical office equipment and a chemical used in manufacturing and consumer products, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Whilst new production of both pentaBDE and octaBDE has recently stopped, these chemicals persist in the environment and humans are exposed to them from the products and wastes in which they are still present. Delegates agreed that these substances persist in the environment, travel long distances, and cause harm to human health and the environment but have allowed for the continued recycling and reuse of products contaminated with these chemicals until 2030. Professor Katima of the University of Dar Es Salaam and Co-Chairman of IPEN said “This will permit foam in furniture containing 18% pentaBDE to be chopped up, used as backing in new carpets, and returned to our homes where exposure will continue,” said. “The provisions will also allow these highly contaminated products to be exported from wealthy countries to the developing world, Africa in particular,” he added. Also agreed at the Geneva conference was the launch ten new global projects to reduce the use of the pesticide Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) in combating malaria. DDT continues to be the most produced and used POP of the twelve banned substances listed in the Stockholm POPs convention]. Under the convention DDT is allowed to be used in public health for disease vector control. These limited exemptions fall under an "acceptable purposes" clause (EE 28/11/07), as recommended by and under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO recommends the use of DDT for indoor residue spraying only to control, in particular, the anopheles mosquito that carries the malaria parasite. The new initiatives to reduce DDT use in combating Malaria aim to replicate results from a successful pilot project in Mexico and Central America in 2003. The new projects are part of a greater UN environment programme (UNEP) and World Health Organisation (WHO) initiative promoting DDT alternatives, co-financed by the Global Environment Facility. |
| 21/05/2009 | 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 interest organisations, who hailed this an important step in the implementation of REACH, however they also call for the list of chemicals to be swiftly expanded. ECHA proposed a priority list of seven substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for the authorisation list to be issued in January. These seven substances were drawn from the so-called ‘first’ Candidate List of fifteen. On 1st June, ECHA proposal was submitted to the European Commission which will then approve the list through a comitology procedure again involving member states. Three of the seven chemicals are officially classified in Europe as toxic to reproduction, one is officially classified as carcinogenic, and three are recognised as being persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB). ECHA’s Member State Committee adopted the proposed list by consensus. However six national representatives raised concerns about the inclusion of the flame retardant HBCDD, arguing inclusion on the list could harm small businesses. This goes against REACH which mandates that harmful chemicals be lined up for the authorisation procedure solely on the basis of the hazards posed by their toxic properties. HBCDD has been identified as a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substance by an EU working group, with potential effects on the liver, brain, nervous and hormone system. Under the authorisation stage of REACH, substance producers or users will have to show that the risks of a particular use can be adequately controlled, or for certain chemicals, that there are overwhelming socioeconomic benefits to the substance’s use (that outweigh the health and environment risks)and that no alternatives exist. Failing these, the use will be banned. The committee did not support ECHA's proposals to exempt four chemicals - MDA, DEHP, DBP and BBP- from obtaining authorisations– when used in artists' paints, despite DEHP, DBP and BBP, phthalates or plastic softeners, already being banned in toys and childcare articles in the EU. Medical devices containing DEHP must also be labelled according to the revised European Medical Devices Directive. These phthalates (which become more powerful when present simultaneously), are examined in a recent report on male reproductive health disorders. ,. The existing knowledge about the contribution of phthalates to human testicular disorders, would point to the need for a reduction to humans exposure to phthalates. The Committee also rejected the proposal by industry to exempt short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) from the need to obtain an authorisation when used in mixtures at a concentration at or lower than 1%. SCCPs have persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, properties Candidate list too short and too slow? Just prior to submitting its proposal, ECHA held its second REACH stakeholder meeting in Helsinki in late May 2009. The meeting was companies, industry pressure groups, trade unions and public interest groups and representatives from 33 countries, including many from outside the EU . Speaking at the meeting, Toxics Policy Advisor for the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) Lisette Van Vliet stated that the ECHA's list of 15 Candidate substances of very high concern was too short and being developed too slowly. She highlighted the more robust list drawn up by NGOs, known as the S.I.N.* list 1.0(*Substitute it Now of 267 high concern chemicals which fulfill REACH criteria. She repeated HEAL’s call for multiple risk assessment under REACH to account for risks posed by multiple chemicals which can be more dangerous when present simultaneously, and are known to have common adverse effects. These chemicals, to which people are simultaneously exposed, are potentially more harmful to human health than has been traditionally recognised by risk assessment methods – the assessments establish ‘safe levels’ of separatel chemicals. The European Confederation of Trade Unions also presented their REACH Priority list, which when combined with the S.I.N. list covers 408 high concern chemicals, and ranks chemicals known to be cause recognised occupational diseases. The presentations drew complaints from industry representatives, who argued that the alternative lists would cause confusion to downstream users. These comments stood in stark contrast to the success these lists are having with pro-active companies eager to eliminate harmful substances from their product lines, and member states looking to identify the next chemicals for the Candidate list, (from which chemicals are subsequently prioritised for the authorization process). It is estimated that somewhere between 1,500 and 3,000 chemicals registered under REACH will eventually qualify as substances of very high concern and need to go through the authorization process. |
| 18/05/2009 | 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 Exchange (TEDX) argues that the testing program the agency plans to use is riddled with holes. TEDX claims that the tests, first recommended in 1998, are outdated, insensitive, crude, and narrowly limited. Dr. Theo Colborn, founder of TEDX, argues that the EPA tests were designed under the surveillance of professional who were not trained in endocrinology and developmental biology. The EPA have remained oblivious to the wealth of information on endocrine disruption from independent academic researchers funded by the United States and other governments in Europe and Asia. This new research is based on different assumptions than the toxicological assumptions that drove the EPA test designs. The limited scope of the EPA tests means that is not in a position to address the pandemics of endocrine-related disorders that pose a threat to every child born today. Colborn states that the problems in the EPA approach stem from the institutional barriers, bureaucratic inertia, and corporate interference which led to one disconnection after another. Since the early 1990s, scientists around the world have published hundreds of articles demonstrating how a broad selection of chemicals can interfere with the normal development of a baby at extremely low levels of exposure. These pioneering scientists discovered effects for some widely used chemicals at concentrations thousands of times less than government “safe” levels of exposure derived through traditional toxicological tests. However, Colborn argues that these publications never reached policy; no connection was made between the assumptions of the toxicologists and those of the endocrinologists, developmental biologists, and the multi-disciplinarians doing the research needed to detect endocrine disruptors. Colborn argues that EPA’s limited approach will not detect chemicals that can alter development and function of the pancreas, and its hormone, insulin, which could lead to diabetes and obesity. It also will not detect chemicals that alter how the brain is constructed and programmed that can undermine intelligence and behaviour. In light of the increasing pandemics and the new U.S. administration’s willingness to make bold changes, Colborn argues that the time is right to move forward and let the scientists who understand the complexity of the endocrine system step in. Allowing room for new scientists that have proven that they can think outside the box and inside the womb, revised EPA testing could ultimately reduce the use of thousands of animals and make up for the time lost over the past decade. Read Dr. Theo Colborn’s full article here Read more about endocrine disrupting chemicals |
| 13/05/2009 | 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 soaps and dish-washing liquids are common on the European market. These products resemble foodstuffs or are child-appealing due to their presentation – for example their shape, colour, odour, etc. In particular, food-imitating or child-appealing chemical consumer products may lead consumers and especially vulnerable people, such as children or elderly people, to ingest them. These products may pose a risk to the health of consumers, whether it be because of their toxic properties, be it from other characteristics. The European Commissions Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG Sanco) has requested the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) to assess the potential risks related to such food-imitating or child-appealing chemical consumer products (read the mandate for this assessment here. DG Sanco have issued a call for information on this subject - interested parties are invited to submit the following: 1) Scientific peer reviewed research papers, reviews and reports related to the following areas: • Morbidity/Prevalence following ingestion of food imitating/child appealing chemical consumer products • Information on the product inherent toxicity attributes that contributed to/caused the observed clinical picture • Information on non-chemical product attributes that may contribute to the food confusing or child appealing effects resulting in ingestion • Information/analyses on the behavioural aspects of sensitive sub-populations that may lead/contribute to ingestion 2) Other credible scientific information that may not be easily available and which is directly relevant to this issue. Deadline for submission of information: 3 July 2009 Guidelines for the submission of contributions, containing criteria for the call for information and guidance for submission can be found here. Contributions should be sent to the following mailbox: SANCO-FIP@ec.europa.eu |
| 01/04/2009 | 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: Manufactured Nanomaterials" provides analyses and recommendations as well as brief summary of background documents listed. The report is part the Series on the Safety of Manufactured Nano-materials produced by OECD’s Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials on the implications of the use of nano-materials for human health and environment safety, focusing on testing and assessment methods. OECD is an intergovernmental organisation in which representatives of 30 industrialised countries in North America, Europe and the Asia and Pacific region, as well as the European Commission, meet to co-ordinate and harmonise policies, discuss issues of mutual concern, and work together to respond to international problems. In order to evaluate the member countries’ regulatory challenges on the safety of nano-materials, OECD established of a Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) in September 2006. The WPMN focuses on the implications for the safety for human health and the environment of the use of nano-materials. They state that the traditional testing and assessment methods used to determine the safety of traditional chemicals are not necessarily applicable to nano-materials and call for a responsible and co-ordinated approach to ensure that potential safety issues are being addressed at the same time as the technology is developing. This recent report forms part of the WPMN’s eight main areas of work to further develop appropriate methods and strategies to help ensure human health and environmental safety. The release of this report is particularly timely within the EU policy context. In April, MEPs voted for products containing nano-materials to be accompanied by consumer information. With the increasing use of nano-technology, MEPs called 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. Further information about the Environment, Health and Safety Programme and publications is available on the OECD’s World Wide Web site. Read more on Nanotechnologies |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 for learning about existing efforts and recent scientific advances. It will also review progress made since past events in Bangkok, Thailand (2003) and Buenos Aires, Argentina (2005) and work out how existing global efforts could progress more rapidly. The main purpose is to scale up children’s environmental health into the global, regional and country agendas. Emphasis will be put on translating existing knowledge into protective policies that countries may develop and implement. Professionals from the health and environment sector, decision-makers, representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned about children's health and the environment are encouraged to participate. Read more about the Third International WHO Conference on Children's Environmental Health The Third International WHO Conference on Children's Environmental Health (CEH) Find out more about children and environmental health. Read about the Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe |
| 01/04/2009 | 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, was passed on the 24th April. The Parliament called for better information to consumers on the use of nanomaterials in products. All ingredients present in consumer products, in the form of nanomaterials in substances, mixtures or articles, should be clearly indicated in the labeling of the product. They state that nanomaterials can present significant new risks leading to increased toxicity in combination with unrestricted access to the human body. MEPs also call on the European Commission for the urgent development of protocols and standards to assess risks to workers, consumers and the environment from exposure to nano-materials over their life cycle. The resolution, adopted by roll call with 362 votes in favour, 4 against, 5 abstentions, follows from the European Parliament’s Environmental Committee’s (ENVIE) vote for better regulation of nanomaterials back in March. HEAL welcomes the results of this vote and hopes that the Commission will react to the demands put down by MEPs and take action accordingly. The European Environmental Bureau (EEB), have been a prominent force behind the push for stricter controls. They were extremely pleased with the results of the vote. Read more details about the European Parliament's decision Read more about Nano |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 diseases that have occurred simultaneously with recent dramatic increases in radiation exposure in the environment. They argued that such symptoms as palpitations, concentration and memory disorders, headaches, fatigue, stress and sleep disorders were the result of EMF exposures. Many of these symptoms can be remedied with very simple measures such as replacing a cordless phone with a corded one. . The Doctors’ appeal joins a growing number of scientists, health agencies, governments and professional scientific organisations worldwide, voicing concern over the health risks of EMF. August 2007 saw the release of a landmark report from the BioInitiative Working Group, an international group of scientists, researchers and public health policy professionals. The report raised serious scientific concerns about current limits regulating levels of EMF exposure. The European Environment Agency contributed to this report warning that further delay in taking precautionary measures could lead to a health crisis similar to those caused by asbestos, smoking and lead in petrol. In September 2008, MEPs raised concerns over electromagnetic radiation in the resolution on the mid-term review of the European Environment and Health Action Plan (2004-2010). This was followed by a report on EMF, written by MEP Frédérique Ries (ALDE, BE) emphasising the “continuing uncertainties about possible health risks” related to EMF exposureand. This was adopted in March 2009 by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. Despite the mounting evidence, there is still little action being taken by decision makers, at EU or member state level. This recent appeal from Dutch doctors has brought the EMF issue to the Dutch government's attention, but there still remains a lot of work to be done. HEAL advocates for regulatory and preventative actions to be taken as soon as possible by the EU and in particular, for a review of all EMF regulations. For more information please read the Dutch National on Platform Radiation Risks Read more about EMF exposures |
| 01/04/2009 | 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. The World Health Organization (WHO) has shown that remedial action works. Research demonstrates that people living in well-insulated accommodation are less likely to visit their doctor or be admitted to hospital respiratory conditions than those living in damp homes. This new directory, produced by HEAL based on a grant by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, provides comprehensive coverage of national agencies, institutions and NGOs active in advising and informing the public on questions of damp and mould prevention as well as remediation in Europe. These agencies should also be able to help you with technical or legal questions. If a local certification schemes exist, they may also be able to provide you with a list of contractors recommended under this scheme. The directory accompanies WHO Guidelines on Damp and Mould as well as a brochure that provides practical tips on how to deal with moisture and will be available on this website as of the end of May. The contacts within the directory have been compiled from responses to a questionnaire disseminated by HEAL to WHO and HEAL’s own international networks of organisations, governments and experts and a series of comprehensive internet searches of where consumers can seek advice at the EU, national and local level. The institutions listed in the directory are only a selection of those identified, and the directory will be regularly updated. HEAL welcomes any new applications to the directory and encourages not-for-profit organisations working in damp and mould to fill in the questionnaire. Download the new Damp and Mould Directory 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? Or are you involved in legal aspects related to damp and mould or in managing remedial action? Join our directory here |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 effects of biomass on air quality – specifically nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulates (PM10 and PM2.5). Currently the guidance covers England and Wales only but plans are in the pipe line by Environmental Protection UK's Scottish division to produce version to cover Scotland. Comments on the guidance are welcomed until Friday 8th May 2009. Currently they have not set any formal consultation questions, instead inviting views on the accuracy of the background information, the validity of the procedures suggested and any omissions from the current document. List of Documents: > Biomass and Air Quality Guidance for Local Authorities (England and Wales) > Biomass and Air Quality, Developers' Information Leaflet > A leaflet that local authorities can hand to developers considering biomass energy for their developments – Biomass Boiler Information Request Template > An adaptable template form for local authorities to request details of a biomass boiler Biomass Boiler Inventory Template >A template spreadsheet for logging the details of biomass boilers, to help assess cumulative impacts Unit conversion and screening tool > Emissions and fuel properties data may be presented in a variety of units, and this spreadsheet contains worksheets that convert between these. It also contains worksheets for the previously released biomass and air quality screening tool, and stack heights calculation (the 1956 chimney heights memorandum) Instructions for the unit conversion and screening tool Comments on the draft guidance and accompanying documents should be sent to: Ed Dearnley Ed.Dearnley@environmental-protection.org.uk |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 legislation so as to truly realise the energy saving potential in the building sector, estimated by the Commission to be around 30% energy saving by 2020. The benefits of promoting energy efficiency in Europe are numerous. These include the potential to improve energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourage technology development and create new jobs. “The European Parliament’s vote is very encouraging. Strong leadership from the forthcoming Swedish Presidency of the European Council is now crucial to ensure that the revision serves to strengthen the existing legislation, in line with the Parliament’s vote,” said Dr. Pendo Maro, Senior Climate and Energy Advisor for Health Care Without Harm Europe and HEAL. “Hospitals and health care facilities in general are an important part of the building sector. Adopting and implementing strong legislation to improve energy saving and energy efficiency in buildings will also help hospitals become more energy efficient and reduce their climate footprint,” she added. Arianna Vitali Roscini, WWF’s Policy Officer for energy conservation in buildings welcomed the Parliament result, saying that "technically and economically there is nothing standing in the way of an earlier deadline for all new constructions, which could help the EU achieve the 2020 emissions reduction targets." She added “This is a structural change within reach, it is up to political will to make it happen”. The new energy efficiency standards will apply to all major renovations, which is a more comprehensive than the previous law which only covered buildings of surfaces over 1,000 square meters. As existing constructions make up the majority of the European building stock, this revision is particularly important. Positive outcome for health and environment The energy crisis of the 1970s led to "vacuum packed" housing resulting in serious costs to health due to poor ventilation, dampness and mould, and exposure to harmful fumes. In reaction to the vote, Senior Policy Officer at HEAL, Christian Farrar-Hockley said “What is needed on top of energy efficient buildings are healthy indoor eco-environments through better EU regulation that will lead to affordable cost efficient solutions.” We now spend more time indoors than ever before, this revised directive looks to set higher standards to make our homes, schools and offices not only more energy-efficient but also healthier places in which to live. The directive could also bring huge savings of energy and CO2 can be made with better insulation, improved heating and cooling systems, double glazing, efficient lighting and smart meters. This recast offers a unique opportunity to bring together environment and health objectives, and to generate substantial cost savings. This week WWF has organised an exhibition at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to showcase the new generation of efficient buildings in France , Germany , Greece , the Netherlands , Romania and the United Kingdom . |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 to take steps towards developing a long-term strategic approach to ensure the compatibility of transport's GHG emissions with the EU's long-term climate goals. The project seeks to achieve these aims by assessing current trends, drivers and alternatives and by examining what policy framework would be required. The thorn in the side of EU emissions targets? The European Union committed to reducing its GHG emissions by 20% by 2020 - pushing this to 30% if there is global agreement to combat climate change after 2012. In January 2009, the European Parliament called on the EU to increase their reduction to between 25% and 40% by 2020 with a reduction of at least 80% to be achieved by 2050. Reaching these targets will be a challenge, but one that would be hugely more accessible if serious focus were given to the transport sector. Currently the EU’s GHG emissions from transport are steadily increasing at a rate that has the potential to undermine efforts to meet the long-term GHG emission reduction targets. In recent measures the EU have resolved to include aviation in the emissions trading scheme, to reduce new car CO2 emissions per km and to lower the GHG intensity of road fuel. However, there remains an absence of strategy addressing overall transport GHG emissions and an overarching vision of how these would fit into the wider climate goals. Stakeholder engagement A pivotal part of this new project is stakeholder engagement - both through large meetings and smaller focus groups. This first stakeholder meeting held in March, invited participants to comment on the underlying data and bring forward their own analysis. There was also discussion on policy approaches and possible technical and non-technical GHG reduction options. Present were delegates from the Commission, from industry and from civil society – see the agenda. The presentations from meeting are now available on the project website. HEAL attended this first meeting, and will be engaged throughout the project. Through our presence we hope to remind policy makers of the numerous co-benefits to health that come from meeting a strong EU climate change policy. This is an area that we aim to promote increasingly in the run up to the climate change talks in Denmark this December. In September last year we co-produced the report - ‘Co-benefits to health of a strong EU climate change policy’ with CAN Europe and WWF. The next large event will be in September 2009 to present progress and draft findings. This will be followed by a presentation of an updated draft in February 2010. Read more about the project here Read the report ‘Co-benefits to health of a strong EU climate change policy’ produced by HEAL, CAN Europe and WWF. |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 within the EU, there is a reluctance to accept that the transport sector must play a role in the wider contributions to combating climate change. The EEA have called for the recent EU climate and energy package to push the change and create climate targets for the transport sector in 2015 and 2020. The EEA warn that the economic stimulus packages announced by the EU and its member states do not give enough support for building comprehensive green transport infrastructure. Instead, the focus is on retaining current transport sector jobs. The EEA call for more support to create a restructured and sustainable industry. The EEA's findings were presented at a first stakeholder meeting for the European commission's EU Transport GHG project in Brussels on Friday. The meeting discussed what strategies should be used to reduce transport emissions to meet the EU 2020 and 2050 climate change targets. Richard Smoker from the environmental consultancy, CE Delft, said there was a need to create a long term vision of what potential changes could achieve. The deputy director-general of the European commission's environment department, Jos Delbeke, raised the idea of a climate and transport package. Read the Report - Transport at a crossroads. TERM 2008: indicators tracking transport and environment in the European Union Find out more about the EEA Read more about air quality |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 Change" - estimates that within 20 years an additional 30,000 people per annum may die as a result of higher temperatures. Drawing on the Commission's own research findings, it states: "In EU countries, it is estimated that mortality increases by 1–4% for each one-degree rise in temperature, meaning that heat related mortality could rise by 30 000 deaths per year by the 2030s and by 50 000 to 110 000 deaths per year by the 2080s." The document was released to coincide with the publication of the White Paper "Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action Human, Animal and Plant Health Impacts of Climate Change" which provides a framework for adaptation measures and policies to reduce the vulnerability of the European Union to the impacts of climate change. The emphasis of the Staff Working Document lies with key problems created by climate change that effect human health, and explains the changes which will be implemented to adapt responses. Further to this, it describes the systems currently in place and the necessary steps that Member States will have to take to effectively tackle this problem with the tools and funding available. In summary, it points to the following; > Strengthening cooperation between the services health of human, animals, plants; > Developing response plans in the event of extreme weather conditions; > Gathering more reliable information on the risks of climate change whilst maintaining international cooperation; > Providing additional effort to identify the most effective measures. The White paper shows the Commission acknowledging that increased understanding of climate change and the impacts of a changing climate are required to define the 'best' adaptation measures. The Paper describes the need to create a ‘Clearing House Mechanism’ by 2011 where information on climate change risks, impacts and best practices would be exchanged between governments, agencies, and organisations working on adaptation policies. The Commission’s acknowledgement of climate change and its links to human health, through both the White Paper and the Staff Working Document, have been long awaited by the NGO community. It serves also to highlight the need for DG SANCO to give more focus to climate change. HEAL welcomed the coordinated approach and the focus on protecting vulnerable groups who will be hardest hit, the plan gives greater importance to health and acknowledges that environmental factors lie at the root of numerous diseases. We do however advocate for more of a dual focus - on adaptation to these problems and rapid implementation of actions to ensure a decrease in carbon emissions. Read the Staff Working Document Read the white paper - "Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action Human, Animal and Plant Health Impacts of Climate Change". Read more in the HEAL press release |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 used. It has long been known that pesticides cause cancer in animals, but this research adds to a growing body of evidence pointing to pesticide exposure and increasing cancer rates in humans. Brain cancer is now the second most common cancer in children, yet the reasons as to why it develops remain unclear. In a small number of cases genetics play a role, but increasingly scientists believe environmental factors are dominant players in causation. The authors of this particular study, ‘Parental exposure to pesticides and childhood brain cancer’ state that parental pesticide exposures before a child’s conception, during gestation, or after birth may increase the risk of cancer. Exposures during these different intervals may trigger genetic changes that lead to cancers. The study researched over 1300 fathers and mothers that lived in residential areas in four Atlantic Coast states. Those exposed to pesticides where matched to an "unexposed" person of the same age and status. The study included more than 640 fathers mothers of exposed children. Researchers assessed parental exposure to pesticides at home and at work beginning two years prior to their child's birth. Brain cancer cases in children under 10 years old, diagnosed between 1993 and 1997, were included in the study - the children had participated in the original Atlantic Coast childhood brain cancer study. Within the EU, this study joins a new wave of concern over pesticide exposures. Despite increasing evidence to suggest that exposure can be extremely harmful to human health, policy makers have been slow to react. In January 2009, new European rules sought to remove the risks associated with pesticide exposure for the environment and especially in relation to human health. Public awareness raising about these new rules is hugely important. At the end of 2008, HEAL and the Mouvement pour les Droits et le Respect des Générations Futures launched the ‘Sick of Pesticides’ campaign as part of a Europe-wide initiative to raise awareness of the links between pesticides and cancer. The campaign calls on governments to set up ambitious National Action Plans for Pesticide Reduction and helps people and public bodies to reduce their dependence on pesticides. Through this campaign, currently running in France and launching soon in the UK, we aim to mobilize affected groups and the wider public to push for change. With more and more studies being released that highlight the risks of pesticide exposures to adults and children alike, and with an increasingly well informed public, we can only hope that decision makers start acting on these concerns and make changes for today and not tomorrow. Read the ‘Parental exposure to pesticides and childhood brain cancer’ study here. Read more about the 'Sick of Pesticides' |
| 01/04/2009 | 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, and non Hodgkin lymphomas are more prevalent in agricultural communities than in the rest of the population in France. These assumptions would appear to sit well with the ever growing evidence in the scientific community to support the link between the certain pathologies and pesticides. The AGRICAN study was designed by the French Agriculture Social Security Organisation (MSA). It aims to gather evidence from 180 000 participants, all of whom will answer questionnaires to help trace their occupational histories. The preliminary results for this study will be released at the end of this year – with the full publication following in 2012. Visit the AGRICAN site |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 during the same period. This is the first time in the sea of reports of pesticide risks, that exposure during the month of conception has been considered as a cause of birth defects. The study reports that even mothers who were not exposed to well-known risk factors, such as drinking alcohol and smoking, had higher overall birth defect rates for babies conceived from April to July. This preliminary evidence suggests that pesticides may function in the same way as the controversial chemical bisphenol A and disrupt the hormonal systems of living organisms. By doing so at very low doses means that agrichemicals could have effects for generations to come. Whilst this study reveals a correlation only between pesticides and birth defects, more research is necessary to prove causation. This said, these initial findings join a host of other reports, all of which point to links between household or occupational pesticide exposure and diseases such as cancers, neuro-developmental disorders and Parkinson’s Disease. Links between pesticide exposure and the prevalence of chronic, preventable diseases are ever more prevelant within the policy context. In the EU, January 2009 saw a tightening of rules on pesticides usage – the phasing out of those associated with cancer, reproductive toxicity, hormone disruption, and genetic mutations. This reform also sees a severe restriction of pesticide use in public areas. The legislation also prohibits most aerial crop-spraying thereby helping to protect both farm workers. Fortunately, many pesticides are non-essential components of our current farming practices - alternatives do exist. Removing harmful pesticides from food production removes one method of human exposure. The EU phase-out of dangerous pesticides, if implemented correctly, is an opportunity to achieve healthier food supplies, safer occupational health and protected public places. However, the new legislation has been met with some disappointment by environmental NGOs who criticise it for not going far enough. We are still a long way off eliminating all dangerous pesticides from our food chain, but in the face of ever-growing evidence that identifies pesticide dangers, the EU has now set the stage for more health protective policy. If implemented properly, at the level of the member states, we can look forward to better human health outcomes across the EU. Read more about the HEAL Pesticides & Cancer Campaign website - available in English and French. The campaign aims to achieve a faster ban of superfluous cancer-causing pesticides and the elimination of pesticides use in public green areas. Or visit our A Facebook group “Sick of Pesticides” - it disseminates the latest news and comments, including videos from involved citizens and expert scientists. |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 in Europe. Although Parkinson’s is most common in the over 60s, many people are diagnosed in their 40s and younger - whilst not fatal, complications arising from the disease can be deadly. Researchers know that pesticides - specifically maneb, a fungicide and the herbicide paraquat - cause Parkinson’s-like symptoms in animals. This recent UCLA study provides the first evidence for a similar process in humans. In this new epidemiological study of Central Valley residents who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, researchers found that years of exposure to the combination of maneb and paraquat increased the risk of Parkinson's by an average of 75%. For people under 60 diagnosed with Parkinson's, earlier exposure had increased their risk for the disease by as much as four- to six-fold. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology and written by Beate Ritz, professor of epidemiology at the UCLA School of Public Health, and Sadie Costello, of the University of California, Berkeley, found that Central Valley residents who lived within 500 meters of fields sprayed between 1974 and 1999 had a 75% increased risk for Parkinson's. The researchers enrolled 368 longtime residents diagnosed with Parkinson's and 341 others as a control group. In addition, people who were diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 60 or younger were found to have been at much higher risk because they had been exposed to maneb, paraquat or both in combination between 1974 and 1989, years when they would have been children, teens or young adults. Parkinson's disease has oft been reported to occur at high rates among farmers and in rural populations, contributing to the hypothesis that agricultural pesticides may be partially responsible. However, until now, data on human exposure has been unavailable due to the difficulties in measuring individuals’ environmental exposure to specific pesticides. Of particular concern, and consistent with other theories regarding pesticides exposure and the progression of certain pathologies, is that the data suggests there to be a critical window of exposure that may have occurred years before the onset of Parkinson’s. Every year over 200,000 tonnes of pesticides are released into the European environment. These chemicals can have harmful impacts on human adults and children. Within the EU, the arrival of this latest research could not be more timely. New European rules on pesticides have been introduced required member states to produce National Action Plans (NAPs) for pesticide reduction because of concerns about serious health effects. HEAL, alongside a group of other NGOs state that this timetable for implementing the EU Directive and Regulation is too slow. We advocate for a maximum level of health protection against the adverse effects of pesticides use and exposure, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups. In the past six months HEAL have launched the ‘Sick of Pesticides’ campaign in France (with the Mouvement Pour le Droit et le Respect des Générations Futures) and the UK, aiming to increase public awareness of the dangers of pesticides and calling for an immediate reduction in pesticide use. Read the study here - Parkinson's Disease and Residential Exposure to Maneb and Paraquat From Agricultural Applications in the Central Valley of California Read more about pesticides and their risk to health |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 understand the challenges of POPs. POPs are a group of highly toxic chemicals that are a danger to human health. Persistent in the environment, POPs can travel vast distances via air and water, and as they are organic chemical compounds they can bioaccumulate in animals and humans. Exposure to POPs can lead serious health effects including certain cancers, birth defects, dysfunctional immune and reproductive systems, greater susceptibility to disease and even diminished intelligence. The new film, ‘Toxics-Free Future’ is a short 6 minute animation aimed at audiences new to the issues, and explains the POPs, the Stockholm Convention, and IPEN’s vision and operation. The film was developed by IPEN as a tool to present the complex issues simply and effectively. The Stockholm Convention on POPs is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically and accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife. Given the long range transport of POPs, no one governing acting alone can protect is citizens or its environment from POPs. In response, the Stockholm Convention, adopted in 2001 and entered into force 2004, requires parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment. The Convention is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP and based in Geneva, Switzerland. After over a year in development the Toxics-Free Future Film is available to watch in the IPEN website – it will be available for download onto your computer very soon. The latter will make it possible to be used in power-point presentations or as just a visual tool when speaking to groups about POPs and IPEN. Currently the film is available in English, but over time IPEN aim to make the film available in other languages via subtitles. Watch the film, Toxics-Free Future here. |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 scientist. Although it was disappointing that the health impact of PBDEs, BFRS and other chemicals being discussed was not covered, it does draw viewers attention to the presence of hazardous chemicals in everyday products and highlights the new consumers' "right to know" (on request) whether certain chemicals are contained in a particular product. You can view it online. |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 biology at the medical faculty at Tufts University is also an expert on the xenoestrogen hypothesis, which associates exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals with genital tract malformations in baby boys, low fertility, and increased incidence of breast, prostate and testicular cancer. Prof Soto said that studies in rats showed prenatal exposure to BPA reduces fertility and induces hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions in the mammary glands that are precursors of breast cancer. She reminded an audience of 40 journalists and other participants that studies on fetal exposure to DES (a hormone disruptor) in rats in 1981 had also shown an increased propensity of the rat mammary gland to neoplastic development. Twenty-five years later, human studies showed women exposed in utero to DES were more likely to develop breast cancer. She wondered whether history would be repeated in relation to BPA. In 206, her studies on prenatal exposure to BPA showed induced hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions in rats. She asked: "By 2031, will we see human breast cancer incidence increased among women exposed in utero to BPA in 2031?" She told the audience that it was for them to respond on whether society should be taking this risk. The City of Paris has taken a very different position from that of French Health Minister Bachelot. Addressing the meeting, Denis Baupin from the Environment department said environment and health was a major issue for Paris. "Paris crèches will not purchase any more baby bottles containing BPA," he said. One of their aims was to see a ban on bisphenol A in all food plastics. "We want to show precaution for prevention," he said. Andre Cicolella for Reseau Environment Sante said that although he welcomed the decision in Canada to ban bisphenol A in baby bottles, he was disappointed that norms on exposure were not being changed. In October 2008, Canada was the first country in the world to take action on BPA under its Chemicals Management Plan. The importation, sale and advertising of baby bottles containing bisphenol A has been prohibited. Read HEAL’s consumer guide to BPA Related articles: > Bisphenol A in the news > Prenatal Exposures and Endocrine Disruptors: The Big Picture |
| 01/04/2009 | 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) was only due to public pressure, and was not based on any ‘serious scientific study’. Leading environment and health NGOs have rejected this claim, highlighting that the law was passed under the rules of the Canadian environmental protection law, which provides a risk assessment based on scientific analysis. Read the open letter to Madame Roselyne Bachelot by Women in Europe for a Common Future, HEAL and EEB. |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 banned. Under this directive, the European Commission must review the availability of mercury-free alternatives to the blood pressure monitoring devices by October of this year. A document published by the SCENIHR in April reveals their main focus to be whether aneroid or electronic instruments are reliable substitutes. Sphygmomanometers, used extensively within healthcare, are currently exempt from the 2007 directive. (EE 03/10/07 http://www.endseurope.com/14067). Mercury and most of its compounds are highly toxic to humans, animals and ecosystems. High doses can be fatal to humans, but even relatively low doses can seriously affect the nervous, cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems. In the presence of bacteria, mercury can change into methylmercury, its most toxic form. Methylmercury readily passes through both the placenta and the blood-brain barrier, so exposure of women of child-bearing age and of children, is of greatest concern. Currently we do not know the extent of over-exposure to mercury in children and adults in Europe, or globally. However, in a recent study by the commission (EU Commission Extended Impact Assessment 2005) it is suggested that as many as 1 in 20 people may be affected by mercury - between 1-5% of the general population in Europe (3 -15 million people) are over the EU defined mercury limit. As Mercury is a chemical element it is indestructible, this means we have a "global pool" of mercury in the environment - between air, water, sediments, soil and living organisms. Thus, whilst banning mercury use within the EU is of utmost importance, this is very much a global issue. Mercury’s capacity as a global pollutant is of huge international concern. These recent discussions within the EU follow in the wake of a global conference held earlier this year in Narobi. The United Nations Environment Programme’s Governing Council met in February and saw over 140 Governments agree to launch negotiations on an international mercury treaty. They also agreed that the risk to human health and the environment was such that accelerated action under a voluntary Global Mercury Partnership is needed whilst the treaty is being finalised. This outcome follows years of international debate. In 2003 a mercury programme was established to encourage all countries to adopt goals and take action, in order to identify vulnerable populations, minimise exposure through outreach efforts, and reduce human-generated mercury releases. In 2007, it was recognised that efforts to reduce risks from mercury were not sufficient and an ad-hoc Open Ended Working Group was established to review and assess options for enhanced measures. The talks in February were the culmination of findings from the working group. HEAL has ongoing involvement in the elimination of mercury through the UNEP process. We have actively participated in European stakeholder meetings and contributed to the European Civil Society Statement for Governing Council. Our Stay Healthy Stop Mercury campaign raises awareness of the immediate health threats of mercury, and proposes alternatives and solutions for reducing exposure. With positive discussions at both EU and international level, we can hope that Mercury in measuring products will soon be a thing of the past. However, positive as these talks have been, it remains to be seen how these agreements will manifest as policies. Read the SCENIHR request for scientific opinion. Read further about UNEP's Governing Council Read more about mercury and health |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 policy integration after having worked for the leading citizen’s European environment platform, the EEB, in Brussels. Previously, she worked in Indonesia as a consultant on deforestation and author and research fellow in South Africa. Pendo holds a PhD in Geography on Environmental Change in Lesotho and speaks English, French, Swahili and Dutch. Pendo’s email is: pendo @env-health.org Publications Meeting Report: Cancer Prevention and the Environment Directory: A WHO and HEAL Directory of National Agencies Providing Information on Damp and Mould Press Releases 02/04/2009 – EU plan targets health problems related to climate change Conferences and meetings From the 27th – 29th April Monica Guarinoni and Genon Jenson attended the Third High-level Preparatory Meeting of the European Environment and Health Committee in Bonn, Germany, and a meeting of the European Environment and Health Committee. Read a report from the meeting. On the 22nd April Pendo Maro attended the Climate Action Network meeting in Brussels. On the 24th April, Genon Jenson, Diana Smith and Gill Erskine participated in a meeting of the Sick of Pesticides Campaign held in London with other environment and health groups. On the 30th April Christian Farrar-Hockley participated in a lunchtime discussion with Graham Watson MEP in the European Parliament with other Green 10 organisations. |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 used for authentication and possible substitutes is being created. In addition to REACH, there is an official short list of the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), and an alternative list created by civil society - the "Substitute It Now" list, or the "SIN List". The latter is compiled by the Swedish ChemSec, together with several environmental organizations, including HEAL. The European Trade Union Movement also has a list of substances of very high concern that needs to and can be replaced. During the conference examples of successful cases of substitution of high-concern chemicals were brought to the floor by companies such as Sara Lee, Fred Butler, Sony Ericsson and Unilever. Discussion focused on how to involve more companies in chemicals substitution, and what supportive infrastructure is needed from industry, civil society, consumers and governments. There were also presentations from the NGO community - Gavin ten Tuscher, Health Care Without Harm, spoke about DEHP in PVC and health effects on babies/children and Nardono Nimpuno from ChemSec presented the SIN List and European NGO priorities. Representatives from the chemicals industry were there en masse, with strong opposition to the NGO-lists coming from the chlorine and bromine industry. Their representatives Dolf Van Wijk, Manager Environmental Sciences at Euro Chlor and Willem Hofland from ICL-IP Europe BD, connected to Dead Sea Bromine Group argued that their products saved lives and were safe for use. Sascha Gabizon from WECF, who chaired the event, concluded that whilst there are positive examples coming from industry which need to be rewarded, the matter of chemical substitution is an urgent one. She urged ministries to factor the risks of chemicals into their public procurement policies. Read more about REACH on HEAL's Chemicals Health Monitor |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. The Centre Local de Promotion de la Santé du Brabant Wallon (CLPS-bw) is a local Center and mainly funded by the Belgian French community/ministry to carry out health promotion activities such as conferences, dissemination of information materials through a documentation centre, facilitation of partnership and consultation processes on certain issues. The CLPS is a pluralistic organization created in 1997 around a partnership between public and private organizations to implement the priorities to set by the Government of the French Community. It is made up of the Province, Intercommunale social Walloon Brabant, various mutual societies, the Red Cross, the FARES, ONE, associations of doctors, a center PSE, Women Social Security, and others. They have recently started to work more closely on environmental issues such as air quality, chemicals and electro magnetic fields. The Action for Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) is located in Malta which will be our first organization from this country. The aims and objectives of the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) are: To lobby political entities for the provision of breast screening programmes and medical services relating to diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. To organize local training courses in aspects of breast awareness and needs of women with breast cancer. To offer educational support including provision of sponsorships for participation in local and foreign conferences. To raise funds for the acquisition of hospital equipment. To collaborate with other organizations for the raising of breast awareness and the furtherance of the Foundation’s outlined aims. |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 since it was first drafted by the European Commission in July 2008. Nevertheless, EPHA has been carefully monitoring the developments, striving to ensure that the Directive answers the needs of all patients. EPHA supports the vision of rapporteur John Bowis MEP for a Directive that addresses patients with needs and not only patients with means. "The public health community is satisfied that this proposed Directive has made it through a first reading and that the Parliament has shown such a strong lead on it. We hope that the Member States will show a similar commitment to European patients within the Council proceedings," said Monika Kosinska, Secretary General of EPHA. "Mr Bowis' work has been commendable and EPHA, while harbouring a few reservations, is extremely happy with the efforts of the Parliament." One of EPHA's key reservations is the lack of ambition to further facilitate access to cross-border healthcare for under-privileged patients, noticeably better guarantees of reimbursement for healthcare. For further information, please visit the EPHA website |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 formed a civil society network that today includes NGO groups, governmental bodies and academia in 11 former Soviet states. Working with NGOs across the regions, she has focused on phasing out toxic chemicals and reducing harmful exposures to human health and the environment. Through continuous campaigns, Speranskaya and hundreds of others have helped to shatter a legacy of pollution and build more careful approaches for the future. Stockpiles of dangerous pesticides The countries of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) are home to vast stockpiles of highly toxic obsolete pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) . Exposure to a number of these can lead to reproductive, endocrine, and hormonal disruption, neurological behavior disorders, and birth defects. As part of an agricultural assistance program during the Soviet era, they received huge amounts of pesticides to aid in food production. After the collapse of the USSR, many of these countries lost control of the system and stockpiles were left unguarded and improperly stored. Most of the stockpiles are found in agricultural communities where unknowing farmers use the toxic chemicals on local crops or in their backyards gardens. Although many of the pesticides are no longer in production, they continue to significantly harm human health and ecosystems due to their persistent and bioaccumulative properties, and ability to travel long distances away from their original sources. Improper storage of stockpiles and broken containers leak into the soil, contaminating the water supply and crops, worsening the situation and providing additional opportunity for toxic release. Today, toxic substances are buried in ditches and stored in dilapidated buildings throughout the EECCA region. Governments lack the capacity, financial resources and will to systematically locate, quantify, monitor, inspect and identify the toxic chemicals. Many of the stockpiles are not recorded as part of national inventories. Poor regulations compound the problem as industry generates thousands of additional tons of hazardous waste. A toxic free future? The Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) NGO campaign towards a toxic-free future has succeeded in persuading national governments to ratify the Stockholm Convention, which would eliminate the release of persistent organic pollutants into the environment. The accord has been ratified by at least 128 nations and the majority of former Soviet states. Then-President Vladimir Putin signed the convention in 2002, but the Russian Federation has yet to ratify it. Bureaucratic delays and lack of resources have left Russia with few regulations. Speranskaya, the head of Moscow's Eco-Accord Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development has fought lax environmental regulations, local bureaucracies and corporations for over a decade. Speranskaya has helped to raise awareness of the dangers of toxic chemicals by creating a proactive and participatory NGO community, connecting groups throughout EECCA to a single advocacy network to pressure governments to acknowledge and clean up toxic sites. All her work has remained sensitive to the delicacies of political situations and thus has resulted in much government and NGO cooperation to protect public health far into the future. Speranskaya's activist career began in 1991 with the publication of an Essay on the environmental implications of the collapse of the Soviet Union in the Financial Times. The essay brought to light the stockpiles of pesticides left behind after the postwar agricultural boom of the Soviet Union. Left unguarded, the toxins can cause birth defects, respiratory problems, cancer and behavioral disorders. Currently, Speranskaya is continuing efforts with local governments to find and store pesticides and rewrite lenient environmental regulations. Eco-Accord is mapping out contaminated areas, conducting public health research and coordinating cleanups with dozens of local groups and governments in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus region and Central Asia. They are also working with nongovernmental organizations to stage public-awareness campaigns, conduct research and clean-up programs and advise legislators how to write laws to safeguard the environment. Soon after joining Eco-Accord, Speranskaya took charge of the organization’s news service that informs the public about the environment, sustainable development and chemical safety information not usually available in digest form. Today, this service has over 3,000 business, government, NGO and citizen subscribers. The service has brought EECCA civil society groups into international networks, enabling the exchange of information and participation in global activities. Speranskaya has brought civil society participation to countries that at the time of the breakup of the Soviet Union lacked an active environmental movement and had no tradition of participatory democracy. Her commitment to this cause has enabled NGOs across the EECCA countries to tackle the problem of toxic chemical pollution on both local and national levels. Read more about Olga's award here |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 Member States over the last 20 to 30 years, injury remains a leading cause of death for children and adolescents in every Member State in Europe. Each year about 10,000 children die needlessly in the European Union due to unintentional injuries. That is equivalent to losing an entire school classroom of children, more than 25 students, every day of the year. Yet it has been estimated by researchers that if all strategies known to be effective were uniformly implemented approximately 90% of these injuries could be prevented. Released today are “Child Safety Report Cards” for 24 countries and the Europe Summary Report Card which score countries on their level of adoption, implementation and enforcement of over 100 proven, effective child injury prevention strategies – good practices known to save children’s lives. The good practice policies relate to road traffic accidents, drowning, falls, poisoning, burns, choking and supports, such as leadership, data infrastructure and professional capacity, necessary to combat child injury. The report cards show that there is great variability between the best performing and poorer performing countries with injury death rates up to 4 times higher in the countries with poorer performance. Of the 24 countries that participated in these report card assessments, the highest over all unintentional child injury death rates are found in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia and the lowest are found in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden. (4) There is also great variability on uptake of the proven good practices noted in the report cards, between countries. Best child safety performance scores were achieved in Iceland, the Netherlands and Sweden, while the countries doing least well were Greece and Portugal. The Child Safety Report cards are part of the assessment undertaken in the Child Safety Action Plan initiative being conducted through funding and partnership with the European Commission, Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL), UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO) and the national partner organisations in 26 Member States. Read more about the Child Safety Action Plan |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 & Asthma. Future of Patient Organisations’ will showcase over a dozen current projects on allergy and asthma. Aiming to highlight conditions needed to manage future challenges of national and international allergy and asthma patient organisations, the conference will invite all participants to join global leaders on respiratory diseases at the GARD Assembly for their session on ‘Patient needs’. HEAL will be speaking at the conference to present the latest news on the joint EFA project – Know your air for health: EU air pollution forecasting offered to those with breathing problems . The knowyourairforhealth.eu website is designed for people suffering from conditions that affect their ability to breathe comfortably during periods of high air pollution. It provides information on national and local air pollution in Europe as well as the current action of the European Union to improve air quality. The website also offers useful links on what people can do to reduce exposure and protect themselves from air pollution. The site will be expanded this year into more languages and will start to include more action-oriented and children-focused information and tools. It is an innovative and excellent illustration of just how vital patient organisations are in the creation of sustainable and healthy environments and could provide a model for future patient activities - we look forward to presenting our update in Rome. The Conference starts on the 12th July at the Conference hotel and the full day on the 13th will be held at the Italian Ministry of Health. EFA invite representatives from patient groups, health professionals and public health and environment workers and volunteers interested in improving the care, participation and environment of people with allergy and asthma to take part. Read more about the EFA Conference Read more about the Know Your Air For Health project |
| 01/04/2009 | 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 how to use children’s environmental health as a pillar to drive more sustainable economic development amidst the financial crisis. This debate echoed calls from G8 ministers the week before to prioritize children’s environment health, and use recovery and stimulus packages to shift towards green growth by including investments in low carbon technologies to address both economic development and emissions reduction. Climate change and health discussions also figured high on the agenda. Dr Bettina Menne, WHO European Region Medical Officer, Global Change and Health showcased some of the achievements in NIS and SEE countries where opportunities for protecting health from climate change were made possible through a German funded project. Dr Roberto Bertollini, WHO Headquarters Coordinator Evidence and Policy, spoke about how health still was marginal in ongoing negotiations towards Copenhagen, and provided some revealing statistics on little funding and projects actually addressing health issues within the climate change mechanisms and processes. Dr Paul Wilkinson from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine spoke about how the current economic crisis could worsen the socioeconomic inequities that exist in environment and health. The next Ministerial Conference will take place from 24 to 26 February 2010 in Parma, Italy. Side events and preparatory meetings will be organized on the day before and throughout the meeting. WHO Euro aims to make this one of the first ever of its conferences as green, eco-friendly and carbon neutral as possible. The draft programme includes two sessions that will be coordinated by HEAL and the European ECO Forum: a CEHAPE Awards ceremony, building on the successful first edition of the CEHAPE Awards in Vienna in 2007 a 45-minute Ministerial Roundtable with stakeholders including NGOs, youth, trade union and business All information on the conference is now available on the newly launched conference website at: www.euro.who.int/parma2010. The HEAL delegation included Genon Jensen and Monica Guarinoni from the HEAL Secretariat, Eric Petersen and Stephan Bose O Reilly from the German Children’s Environment and Health Network and Peter Ohnsorge from the European Academy for Environmental Medicine. HEAL has official status in the process and in its steering body, the European Environment and Health Committee (EEHC) as a representative of the NGO health community. |
| 01/04/2009 | 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, Egypt, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Denmark and a number of international organisations and NGOs. The fourth working session was devoted to the theme “Children’s Health and the Environment“ held on the morning of Friday 24 April. Children’s Health and the Environment The session on Children’s Health and the Environment was introduced by the key note addresses of H.E. Testuo Saito, Minister of the Environment of Japan and by H.E. Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the United States Environment Protection Agency. The G8 and other participating countries discussed the merits of a renewed and purposeful focus on safeguarding human health as a fundamental objective of environmental protection and sustainable development. Further discussion was given to the unique circumstances of children in their homes, schools and communities, and the need to do more to ensure that children are born, grow, develop and thrive in environments with clean air, clean water, safe food, and minimal exposure to harmful chemicals. The G8 countries identified several necessary actions: > Promotion of the rapid phase out of lead in paint. > Completion the global elimination of lead in gasoline. > Collaboration on research studies and research related to the children’s health and the environment including impacts of chemicals, heavy metals and effects of climate change. > Improve the knowledge and build the capacity of all professionals involved in children’s environmental health issues. Some Ministers expressed interests in continued work on developing indicators of children’s environmental health through the program being managed by the World Health Organization. Further to this, Ministers recalled also that in the context of the Pan-European process fifty-three countries have already adopted a strategic action plan based on agreed priorities for children environment and health. |
| 01/04/2009 | Spring is in the air - and so are pesticides... A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe 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. The results of our recent poll in the UK shows that 48% of those interviewed believe that pesticide use in parks, sports grounds and playgrounds may pose a risk to people’s health, and 65% support a ban or reduction in the use of pesticides in public places as soon as possible (read our press release-link). In France, public sentiment is even more determinedly anti-pesticide use. In a poll there, 95% of respondents said they would welcome a 50% reduction in all pesticide use and 80% would want pesticide-free parks (read our press release). These concerns are backed up by the scientific evidence. The UK Pesticides Action Network (PAN) has produced a "List of lists" showing how different pesticides are defined in terms of toxicity, and has a special section on pesticides and cancer. In 1993, it listed 70 possible carcinogens – now the list has grown to over 240. Health authorities are also taking health concerns about pesticides seriously, and in some countries like France, are proactively linking national cancer plans with reduced exposure to carcinogens, including pesticides. HEAL welcomes this emphasis on prevention, and hopes that the European Commission will include environmental factors within its work on a European Cancer platform in 2009. Our Sick of Pesticides’ campaign activities in France have been particularly successful. A printed postcard calling for the protection of children’s health through the creation of pesticide-free cities has been distributed to thousands of individuals throughout France. They, in turn, send them to their local authority asking for a ban. Several major cities, such as Rennes and Grenoble, are already taking action on reducing pesticides. Paris has announced its commitment to reducing pesticide spraying, and many public parks are already pesticides free. The medical and scientific community is also speaking up on cancer and pesticides. ASEF, a French association of doctors recently held a conference on environment and health in Aix en Provence attracting around 1,000 participants, and several EU funded scientific networks are organising a similar one in Italy (see ECNIS website). But will these concerns translate into real public health advances and reduced exposure to pesticides, and consequently less ill health? At the national level, EU member states are currently drafting National Action Plans on pesticides, and this is where the real difference to health will take place, and where more public interest involvement is crucial. HEAL hopes to influence the process by promoting our campaign messages (see our campaign asks). Coming soon in our work on pesticides is a new activity with people whose health has been affected by pesticides. Starting in France, this work will contribute to our objective of bringing citizens' environmental health concerns to national and European policy making. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 past 18 months, WEN have gathered a huge amount of scientific evidence on the presence of hazardous chemicals and toxic substances in our environments. On consideration of the petition, the committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government seeking a response. They asked how the Scottish Government are approaching this policy area, particularly in the wake of recent toxic poisoning cases in the UK and increased concerns internationally. They also called for a meeting to discuss how these issues can be taken forward - prior to the Government’s exploratory meetings to discuss occupational hazards – and for a working group to be formed to further understand the issues of toxin exposures. The Public Petitions Committee for Scotland will reconvene on 19 May 2009. Read more about cancer causing toxins through the Chemicals Health Monitor Read more about the Women's Environmental Network Read the Public Petitions Committee proceedings |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 energy efficiency (rolling resistance), safety (wet grip) and noise, will have to be clearly displayed wherever tyres are sold, including car dealerships. The Parliament also said the information should be printed on receipts and stamped onto the side of tyres. An EU-wide website should also be created where consumers will be able to compare the performance of different types of tyre and calculate their potential fuel savings, according to the Parliament. Nina Renshaw of Transport and Environment (T&E) said: "In the past buying tyres has been a confusing and frustrating exercise. There was no official information allowing consumers to compare which of the thousands of different models actually save money at the pump or offer better wet grip. This is about giving consumers the information they need, right there in the shop, and should mean real savings in fuel costs and CO2 emissions…It is now up to Member States to give their full backing to these proposals and ensure they are brought in without delay." Dragomira Raeva of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) said: "Since road traffic is the major source of noise pollution in our cities, this decision is a first step toward improving the quality of life and health for city dwellers. The labeling programme will also help local governments more easily reach their obligations under the Environment Noise Directive as well as providing the right signals to encourage green public procurement." The proposals need to be agreed by EU Member States before becoming law. Source: Transport and Environment (T&E) and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 sufficiently covered by existing legislation and better implementation alone could effectively oversee this emerging technology. The EEB advocate that, with an ever increasing use of nanotechnology, a stringent framework must be in place from the beginning. This will ensure that the use and release micromaterials into the environment does not adversely affect human health or the environment. George Kimbrell of the International Center for Technology Assessment said, "Since there is currently no government oversight and no labelling requirements for nano-products anywhere in the world, no one knows when they are exposed to potential nanotech risks and no one is monitoring for potential health or environmental harm." EEB’s key demands for the regulation of nanotechnologies are: - Existing legislation should be reviewed immediately. - Size definition of nanomaterials should be more flexible. - All nano-containing products placed on the market (after prior registration and authorisation) should be labeled for identification and traceability purposes. - Labeled products should be included in an EU-wide inventory that is available to the public. - The REACH principle of "no data, no market" should be immediately and fully implemented. - Nanomaterials should be addressed explicitly within the scope of REACH and legislation currently under revision, such as the Novel Food Regulation, the Provision of Food Information to Consumers Regulation and the Cosmetics Directive. Additional legislation that should be prioritised for review includes laws on workers' protection, air quality, water quality and waste. Nearly all of EEB’s clauses were supported in the Parliamentary vote, with the exception of the call for prior registration of labeled products. These sentiments revealed by the Parliament are inline with their voting in early March on the Novel Food Regulation. Here, MEPs voted for definition, labeling and specific risk assessments for nano-containing foods, reaffirming the need for a regulatory approach based on precaution and producer responsibility. At the beginning of April, EEB will present its position on the safe and responsible governance of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials at a stakeholder conference – Working and Living with Nanotechnology - in the European Parliament. Read HEAL's position in regard to Nanotechnologies Read more about Nanotechnologies on the EEB website Read more about Nanotechnologies in Europe. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 (IARU). The congress aimed to identify the existing and emerging scientific knowledge required to build mitigation and adaptation climate change response strategies. The findings provide a summary of existing scientific knowledge two years after the last IPCC report. The scientists issued a united warning that the initial assumptions about risks were too conservative - higher than expected emissions mean temperatures will increase far more than was previously predicted – and the effects of this could be disastrous. Key messages have been issued ahead of a full report which will be realised in June 2009 and handed out at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December in Copenhagen. The 6 Key messages are as follows - Climatic Trends; Social disruption; Long-Term Strategy; Long-Term Strategy; Equity Dimensions; Inaction is Inexcusable; Meeting the Challenge Climatic Trends Recent research confirms the worst-case IPCC scenario trajectories (or even worse) are being realised. The climatic system is moving beyond the patterns of natural variability within which our current lifestyles have developed and thrived. Social Disruption With what is called by the research community "dangerous climate change", societies are experiencing increasingly levels of climatic change – with particular risk to poorer nations. With temperature rises of 2C or more, most societies will struggle and the level of climatic disruption through the rest of the century will increase. Long-Term Strategy Immediate sustained and coordinated mitigation, at global and regional levels is required – a delay in this will only increase long-term social and economic costs. With weak targets for 2020 the task of meeting 2050 targets will become far more difficult. Equity Dimensions Climate change is having, and will continue to have, differing effects throughout countries and regions, on generations of human societies and the natural world. A coordinated ‘adaptation safety net’ most be created to protect the poor and most vulnerable. Inaction is Inexcusable To deal with the challenge, we must coordinate our resources - economic, technological, behavioural, management – and implement them widely and rapidly. Acting now will create multiple long-term benefits such as, reductions in health and economic costs of climate change, the restoration of ecosystems and revitalisation of ecosystem services. Meeting the Challenge To achieve the social transformation required to meet the challenge, we must assess all constraints and use all opportunities. These include reducing inactivity of economic systems and reducing the influence of vested interests; enabling the shifts from ineffective governance and weak institutions to innovative leadership in government, the private sector and civil society; and engaging society in the transition to norms and practices that foster sustainability. This strongly worded and united plea was supported by Lord Stern, who told the conference that if politicians continue to underestimate the impacts of climate change the results will be devastating. Professeur Kevin Anderson, research director at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research UK, said: "Scientists have lost patience with carefully constructed messages being lost in the political noise. We are now prepared to stand up and say enough is enough." Read more on the International Scientific Congress on climate change - "Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges and Decisions". Read more on the United Nations Climate Change Conference - Copenhagen 2009. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 University Hospital with contributions by HEAL Executive Committee member Dave Stone. They highlight that traditionally, health-care organisations have paid little attention to the relationships between climate change and human health, or to their impact on sustainable development. They call for a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of hospitals within the wider social and ecological systems. The paper is part of a special edition of the International Journal of Environmental Health – Sustainability: Environmental Studies and Public Health. Read the full article - Beyond Climate Focus and Disciplinary Myopia. The Roles and Responsibilities of Hospitals and Healthcare Professionals. Read the special edition - Sustainability: Environmental Studies and Public Health. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 top four climate related problems - crop failure and malnutrition, diarrhoeal disease, malaria, and flooding. The speakers warned that climate change will affect all elements of life as we know it - increased risks of extreme weather events will effect directly the prevalence of infectious disease, and rises in sea level will lead to salinisation of land and water sources. Much of the current burden is linked to energy consumption and transport systems - it is these systems that require changing, and in so doing they could reduce public health problems. The WHO team, speaking at the conference, said they wished to increase awareness of the co-benefits for health brought by reductions in greenhouse gases in all sectors, such as transport, housing, energy, and agriculture, and at all levels. They argued that a cut in emissions of greenhouse gases would improve environmental conditions and health and reduce the global disease burden by more than 25%. Those at greatest risk to climate related health disorders are the poor and the geographically vulnerable. WHO representatives called for greater global awareness of the health benefits from the reductions in greenhouse gases. Health policy makers must factor climate change into their activities to cut the burden of global disease. Read more about the WHO's approach to climate change Read WHO's links between climate change and health Read about HEAL's stance on climate change and health |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 the Sustainable Development Observatory of the European Economic and Social Committee, Laurence Graff, Member of the Cabinet of Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, Anne Bosquet, Former Belgian Official Youth Delegate to COP13 in Bali and Karim Harris, Deputy Director of Climate Action Network Europe. Buffetaut stressed the importance of a proactive role of youth in climate change negotiations, describing youth delegates as the ‘moral stakeholders’. Harris supported these sentiments, adding that the importance of the youth voice was its ability to widen the debate – giving energy, passion and a moral element so often obscured by talk of targets. The presence of youth in climate change debates can hugely aid the move to action – this presence in decision making is gradually increasing year on year. However it emerged from the round table, that this involvement is not always listened to. The youth delegates felt sidelined from the processes that really enabled change. It was concluded that whilst progress has been made, there was still a long way to go - but through committed and continued presence and pressure, youth delegates will eventually become part of the system, rather than a sideline accessory. Tine Radinja , President of the European Youth Forum called on "all governments to include more youth representatives in their delegations to the political processes taking place this year, including the Conference of Parties 15 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change." Read more about the European Youth Forum |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 professionals say that these voluntary measures are not enough, arguing that schools should be protected by mandates. IPM relies on the school body to take a ‘hands-on’ approach to pest management – with staff and students taking greater responsibility. Currently, many schools rely on pesticide spraying as a method of pest control. In a recent report from Indiana University it was stated that over 80 percent of schools in America apply pesticides on a regular basis, regardless of whether they have a pest problem. The health repercussions of frequent pesticide exposure are vast, from triggering asthma attacks to causing learning disabilities and neurological disorders. It is widely known that children are especially vulnerable to pesticides. Currently thirty-six states have school pesticide regulations, the IPM plan will help reduce pesticide use even further. The EPA’s new plan encourages non-chemical, practical approaches – installing door sweeps, using steel wool to plug holes, and setting live traps for mice. However, there remains some flexibility in chemical use. Currently the EPA labels all potentially hazardous pesticides with the words “Caution,” “Warning” or “Danger”. Under the new plan, ‘Caution’ should only be used if exposure to students and staff is minimized. Pesticides with “Warning” or “Danger” labels are not recommended. The pilot scheme for the strategy was enormously successful, participating schools reduced their pesticide use by around 90 percent. The new plan however is not a federal mandate, and does not include funding to help schools change their pest management approach. Once implemented, there are no enforcement measures to ensure that schools meet the EPA’s recommendations. Whilst it may be true, as the EPA maintain, that the change over does not require a huge overhaul and can be easily managed, will voluntary guild lines really cut it? Environmental health officials support the new plan but there is general criticism that it fails to really protect children and teachers from pesticides. The Pesticide Action Network of America state that the plan has been severely watered down by pressures from industry. Criticisms aside however, it is encouraging to see such wide reaching and high profile actions against excessive pesticide use – even if the IPM plan is far from perfect. Currently, 36 states have school pesticide regulations– the new IPM plan will help to increase these numbers and provide them with a framework. Read more on the IPM plan Find out about HEAL's work on pesticides Read more about links between cancer and pesticides |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 green spaces and 65% supported a ban or reduction in the use of pesticide in public places as soon as possible. This opinion poll marked the beginning of a Europe-wide week of activities- ‘Week without Pesticides’ - which raises awareness of the risks associated with pesticide use, promote reduction in use by public bodies and individuals and the use of alternatives to manage pests and weeds. “The public are unmistakably and rightly concerned about pesticides. Governments across Europe must act fast and firmly to eliminate avoidable cancer risks by phasing out the most hazardous pesticides now and bringing bans on spraying in public places,” said Vicki Hird of HEAL’s Sick of Pesticides Campaign. The new EU legislation must be ratified by the Council of Ministers; the UK Government has publicly stated it will oppose ratification. Even after that, the worst pesticides, those that cause cancer and reproductive problems, will not begin to be taken out of use until 2016 at the earliest. The Sick of Pesticide Campaign is calling for: The UK to introduce an earlier ban on avoidable, cancer-linked pesticides – by 2012 at the latest Targets to reduce the use of pesticides to eliminate or minimise exposure Pesticide-free areas where children are most exposed, such as parks, schools, and sports grounds Health care strategies and national cancer plans that include measures to reduce pesticide exposure. The poll was launched in collaboration with partner organisations Pesticides Action Network UK, Women's Environmental Network and the Cancer Prevention and Education Society. Read the full press release. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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, highlighting those that are banned under international conventions; classified as hazardous by the World Health Organisation; carcinogenic or endocrine disrupters; banned in the European Union; and many others. This newly updated edition also includes a list of endocrine disrupters compiled by a group of independent scientists. With recent concern over declining bee populations PAN have also included a section on the pesticides highly toxic to bees. In the coming months, PAN hope to launch an on-line database to support the List of Lists allowing users to link to the original websites for the hazard criteria. PAN UK hope that the newly revised edition will be received as positively as past editions and will be an integral tool for organisations working to reduce hazards from pesticide and support the movement to safer methods of pest control. Access the newly updates List of Lists Find out more about links between pesticides and health. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 time, there were around 1,000 active substances, contained in thousands of products, available on the market. The evaluation was divided into four criteria - health of consumers, farmers, groundwater and non-target organisms. Each active substance has to be proven safe in terms of human health, including residues in the food chain, animal health and the environment, so as to be approved for market use. The review had lead to the removal of well over two thirds of the 1000 active substances, with only 250 substances (26%) passing the harmonised EU safety assessment. The Commission stated that most, over 65%, were removed because dossiers were withdrawn by industry or were incomplete, or in some cases not submitted. 70 substances evaluated were removed from the market due to perceived risks to human health and the environment. At the end of 2008, the European Parliament and Council agreed on new market-authorisation rules for the pesticides proposed by the Commission in July 2006. This regulation comes into play later this year and replaces the 1991 Directive , which had guided the sixteen-year review. A new directive restarts the assessment process for currently authorised substances. The new regulation sees a tightening of environmental and health criteria up for approval, it introduces a ban on some toxic chemicals and authenticates compulsory mutual recognition of market authorisation inside three zones - north, centre and south - of the EU. Read the European Commission's press release Commission completes pesticide review programme – an important step to ensure the protection of health and environment (12 March 2009) European Commission: Database on active substances European Commission: Plant Protection - Evaluation & Authorisation European Food Safety Agency (EFSA): Pesticide Risk Assessment Peer Review Unit (PRAPeR) |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 ultimate goal is to achieve an elimination of pesticides use, especially where this use is non-essential and 'cosmetic' like in public spaces. The postcard, launched during a press conference convened by one of the Paris municipalities (II arondissement), will be widely disseminated across the country and also distributed at shops such as the French gardening chain Botanic. Some municipalities in France, from Rennes to Grenoble to Paris, are already taking steps in this direction and showing that it is possible to go pesticide-free. We hope the postcard action will accelerate this process and encourage the use of alternatives to pesticides. Download the postcard (in French) and send it to your mayor. The postcard action is part of HEAL's "Sick of pesticides" campaign. For more information, please visit our Pesticides & Cancer website in French and in English. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 article reports on the two new EU laws on pesticides sale and sustainable use to reduce the negative effects of pesticides on human health and the environment. The UK government and other member states will have to collaborate with stakeholders to develop national action plans (NAPs) to reduce the use of pesticides. It is here that local and regional authorities and environmental health practitioners (EHPs) can help achieve the highest levels of health protection, especially for children and other vulnerable groups. Several London boroughs are involved in reducing the use of pesticides, and some London parks already operate pesticides-free regimes. This growing trend reflects recognition of the inherent risk to humans, pets, other animals and flora and the inessential nature of herbicide used to control and eradicate weeds and pests. Achievements in reducing the cosmetic use of pesticides in other countries are also described. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 Commission proposal MEPs agreed from the outset with the Commission's approach of simplifying EU law on cosmetics by replacing the 27 sets of national legislation that enacted the old cosmetics directive with a single regulation - a standard legal text directly applicable in all Member States. They also supported the essential aims of the new proposal: ensuring a high level of safety of cosmetic products in future by strengthening manufacturer responsibility and in-market control aspects while cutting red tape. The existing provisions banning animal testing for finished cosmetic products as of 2004, with a phasing-out period for animal tests on cosmetic ingredients by 2009/2013, are unaffected by the new regulation. Nanomaterials: labelling, definition and safety assessment needed If cosmetics ingredients include nanomaterials, as happens increasingly, safety concerns must be paramount, says the compromise between EP and Council. The Commission estimated in 2006 that about 5% of cosmetic products contained nanoparticles. As requested by the European Parliament, the new regulation introduces a safety assessment procedure for all products containing nanomaterials, which could lead to a ban on a substance if there is a risk to human health. MEPs also pushed successfully for any nanomaterials present in cosmetics to be mentioned in the list of ingredients on the packaging. Thanks to Parliament, a definition of nanomaterials is also introduced in the regulation and this must be adapted by the Commission in line with scientific and technological advances. The definition introduced by MEPs is as follows: "'nanomaterial' means an insoluble or bioresistant and intentionally manufactured material with one or more external dimensions, or an internal structure, on the scale from 1 to 100 nm". Product claims: common criteria for use needed On the use of product claims for cosmetics (such as claims about their effectiveness) the regulation seeks to ensure that only the real effects of a product can be mentioned in advertising and labelling. The Commission is asked to draw up an action plan on such claims and to adopt a list of common criteria for their use. Substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction As proposed by the Commission and supported by MEPs, the regulation provides for strict rules for the use of substances in cosmetics which are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR). The use of those substances is basically forbidden and they can only be used in exceptional cases under strict conditions, which have been tightened up by the compromise. Date of entry into force The regulation - which is directly applicable in all Member States - will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU Official Journal. It will apply 42 month later - except for certain parts on CMR substances and nanomaterials, which will apply from an earlier stage. Background: the 2003 cosmetics directive The last time this topic came before Parliament, MEPs fought hard and successfully for a ban on sales of any animal-tested cosmetic products and ingredients, including those from outside the EU (see link below). Animal testing of finished cosmetic products was outlawed from 2004. In addition, bans were to be phased in for animal testing of cosmetics ingredients and also - to make sure that imports are covered - on any sales in the EU of animal-tested products and ingredients. The deal will allow the continued use of ethanol in cosmetics, which is widely used and is the base of most perfumes. There are also provisions which will reduce the regulatory burden on industry, without lowering safety, which sit alongside a requirement to notify nanomaterials and to mark them on the ingredient list. Source: European Parliament's press release |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 know.” It explains how you can use a new consumer ‘right to know’ to make better informed consumer choices, to influence companies to make safer products, and to encourage regulators to improve the REACH chemicals law. This leaflet is already available in English, Czech, German, French, and Dutch. Coming soon in: Hungarian, Bulgarian, Spanish, Slovenian, Greek, maybe Italian, maybe Icelandic, Lithuanian, maybe Finnish. Check our Chemicals Health Monitor website to download the leaflet in the different languages. MODEL LETTER A letter you can simply fill in and give to retailers / send to manufacturers to find out what’s in that product. With a link which companies can use to find out about their obligations to consumers. WEBSITE Our brand new Take Action! Centre – the starting point for getting the leaflet, the model letter, an info sheet on chemicals in products, action to push governments (lobby your national governments on getting chemicals put onto the REACH candidate list – explained in the leaflet), and more. Its section “Use your right to know” is available in several languages. PARTNERS Campaign partner organisations: Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), Greenpeace; the European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC); European Environmental Bureau; WECF – Women in Europe for a Common Future (Germany, France, Netherlands), the European Consumer Association in Standardisation (ANEC); BUND/Friends of the Earth, Germany; Verein zur Hilfe Umweltbedingt Erkrankter (Association for the Support of Environmentally Sick People) Germany, Arnika Association, Czech Republic; Consumers Protection Association, Czech Republic; Cancer Prevention & Education Society, UK; Irish Doctors Environmental Association; CAAG – Clean Air Action Group, Hungary; My Right to Know, Bulgaria; CIEL – Center for International Environmental Law, USA/Switzerland Further information: European consumer day |
| 30/03/2009 | 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. Many of the chemicals listed have caused diseases of industrial and other workers, and their reduction, substitution or elimination would cut the incidence rate of occupational diseases and the costs that they incur. *-The press release is available on ETUC’s website in English and French *- Cefic has released an unenthusiastic response on behalf of the chemical’s industry. *- For a fully comprehensive look at the most hazardous chemicals visit the REACH SINList. *- For more information on chemicals and diseases, visit the Chemicals Health Monitor website. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 website published in several languages), the Parliament.com news service, ENDS Europe report (press release with PAN Europe), and the industry website Chemicals Watch. In France, success came with the radio and print media coverage of HEAL's Pesticides and Cancer campaign during the Week without Pesticides (20-30 March 2009). François Veillerette, president of MDRGF, HEAL partner organisation in France, was interviewed about the joint campaign on pesticides and cancer on "France Inter" national radio on 26 March. The campaign was also covered in Viva magazine, the publication of the cooperative health insurance companies (mutuelles) in France. The article described campaign activities and the postcard promoting pesticide free public spaces. The Pesticides and Cancer campaign in the UK was covered in a feature article by Genon Jensen, HEAL Executive Director in the Environmental Health Practitioners journal of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). The story covered achievements in reducing the cosmetic use of pesticides from around the world and urged readers to support for HEAL's campaign for ‘pesticides-free’ public spaces. Another article by Genon Jensen was published in the UK's Public Service Review: Science and Technology. Entitled Tracking Traces, it described why biomonitoring is important and how it could contribute to precautionary policy making. Finally, HEAL's article about the World Health Organization's European environment and health process entitled "A healthier future means cleaning up the environment" was published in DG Sanco's Health - EU Newsletter, which is translated into 20 languages. The Chemicals Heath Monitor "Right to know" campaign, aimed to help consumers find out which harmful substances are included in products they buy, has also attracted significant media coverage, which is continuing. A full report will appear in a forthcoming newsletter. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 Guide |
| 30/03/2009 | UK publishes Children’s Environment and Health Strategy TheUnited 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 that environmental health is addressed in the UK. Among the issues it points out are the sanitation level in schools, indoor and outdoor air pollution, social and economic inequalities leading to different exposures and the overall number of increasing chemicals and pollutants in the environment. It focuses on four specific goals that were established under CEHAPE: Water, Sanitation and Health; Accidents, Injuries, Obesity and Physical Activity; Respiratory Health, Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution; Chemical, Physical and Biological Agents. The report was developed in consultation with many experts and organisations as well as the views of children themselves. The report offers several recommendations for improving the United Kingdom's environmental impact on children. The need to reduce the levels of lead in drinking water was highlighted as were the importance of maintaining proper hygiene in schools' water and making sure that the country's poorest families are not forced to drink the worst water. The dangers of smoking and carbon monoxide poisoning should be better communicated, action plans for improving indoor air quality should be developed and local enforcement of clean air should be encouraged. Other recommendations include better research on how much children are exposed to chemicals and what implications these chemicals might have, improving protection from natural and unnatural sources of radiation and protecting children from noise pollution. The full report can be read on the Health Protection Agency's website. |
| 30/03/2009 | 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 their representatives responsible to their electors. Entitled " 8 wishes for putting people's health and environment first: Towards healthier lives, cleaner environment in 2014 ", the questionnaire asks candidates to make pledges on a variety of important issues impacting our immediate and long term future, such as chemicals, climate change, air quality and children's health. These issues will be part of the EU political and legislative debate in the next term. We hope to collect as many pledges as possible in the coming two months and develop a list of environment and health friendly MEPs ahead of the elections. Download the questionnaire and let us know if you decide to use it with your candidate MEPs Why your vote is important The European Parliament is the only directly elected body of the European Union, and thus is situated to best represent the democratic voice of the people. The EP is currently made up of 785 members distributed proportionally across the member states. Members of Parliament hold their seat for a term of five years; this means that those MEPs elected this summer will stay in office until at least 2014. Issues that will be discussed during this term include agriculture reform, alternative energy sources, biodiversity and the implementation of the European Union chemical registration policy known as REACH. A second EU Environment and Health Action Plan will also be developed under this new Parliament. One of the competences in which the EU has the most say is environmental policies. Many of the global warming, chemical safety and consumer protection laws that you see in use every day in your country were enacted at the European level, and directly affect your health. Without strong support from a base of voters who care about these issues, it will be hard to continue to enact, and enforce this important legislation. Politicians are ultimately answerable to their constituents, and so it becomes important to cast your vote in the election. By electing an MEP who is sympathetic to the issues you find most important, such as environmental health, you help bring Europe closer together and towards better policy. HEAL and Green 10 activities The Green10, a network of the ten largest environmental NGOs in Europe, has also released a manifesto for the elections which HEAL contributed to. This can be found online at the G10 website. In addition you will be able to find more information in the coming months on the websites of the European political groups and the European parliament, all of which you can finds links to at http://www.europarl.europa.eu. Download Questionnaire |
| 01/03/2009 | Voting for "healthy people and a healthy planet" in the European elections, June 4-7 A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe 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. Candidates will be scored on responses to eight questions. They will be asked to commit on: investing in precautionary environmental health policies; putting children and vulnerable groups first; and, the crucial challenge for health and the health sector of global climate change. A further five questions are about chemicals policy (REACH), air quality standards, nano materials, electromagnetic field technology, and noise. Download the questionnaire. The survey provides an opportunity not only to gage candidate MEP positions but also to inform them of what HEAL believes are key policy opportunities to improve people’s environmental health. It will also help identify the most active and supportive and those willing to champion particular health and environmental concerns in the future. For example, one question relates to our recommendation for a stronger climate change package in the lead up to the Copenhagen negotiations in December. An ambitious and visionary EU position on substantial greenhouse emission cuts would bring major health benefits, especially for those with heart and breathing problems through energy policy changes that result in improved air quality. As the Executive Director of the World Health Organisation Dr Chan stated recently “Health had no say in the policies that led to the financial crisis or made climate change inevitable. But the health sector will bear the brunt of the consequences.” HEAL and its members are committed to promoting the democratic process to achieve a healthier and more sustainable Europe. Making the effort both to vote and to identify in advance which candidates to vote for, can make a major contribution to achieving this vision, which is shared by other environmental groups (read the Green 10 roadmap). Approximately 90% of all environmental policy is now created at the European level. Over the next five-year European Parliament, crucial decisions affecting the quality of our health, our lives and the planet will be made. Already on the agenda are climate change, agricultural reform, and the implementation of chemical regulation known as REACH. HEAL and its members are not alone in promoting "quality of life" issues. According to official European surveys, the proportion of Europeans concerned about the state of the environment is almost as high as the percentage worried about the economic situation. HEAL members and staff have already started asking some candidates the survey questions with the help of the kit. We hope to have scores on candidate MEPs in all 27 countries of the EU to share with you in May. We would welcome your help in this task. Please visit HEAL related article for background information and/or contact Monica Guarinoni, Deputy Director, for further help. Read all the online articles of the March 2009 Newsletter Subscribe to receive our newsletter regularly in your mailbox |
| 01/03/2009 | 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 Clemencin and Diana Smith attended the launch of the French environment and health network RES. Read more. On 4 March, Monica took part in member organisation Natural England's reception "Adapting to Climate Change: Taking forward an Eco-systems Approach for Europe". On 5-6 March, Christian participated in a drafting meeting of the European Climate Change and Health Strategy, hosted by the UK Department of Health in London on 5-6 March. On 11 March, Lisette van Vliet participated and provided input into a European Commission meeting on the EU Partnership Action against Cancer. On 12 March, Gill Erskine attended a debate on young people and climate change organised by the European Youth Forum at the European Economic and Social Committee. Read more. On 16 March, Lisette took part in the ECNIS - New Generis workshop "Food and Environmental Cancer Risks for Adults and Children" in Brussels and interviewed Chris Wild, new director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) . On 17 March, she participated in the REACH Competent Authorities meeting. On 17 March, Genon Jensen took part in a Green 10 meeting with Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists (PES), on the PES manifesto for the upcoming parliamentary elections. On 20 March, Genon spoke at the opening press conference of the Week without Pesticides with Paris Mayor Jacques Boutault, and launched the HEAL/MDRGF postcard action for zero pesticides cities. On 24 March, Aurele participated at a conference on children's health and pesticides in Paris in the framework of Week without Pesticides. On 27 March, Gill attended a stakeholder meeting on greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector organised by the European Commission. On 31 March, Lisette participated in the launch of the European Trade Union Confederation's list of priority chemicals. |
| 15/02/2009 | Healthy indoor environments protect children’s health, says WHO Europe Copenhagen and Luxembourg, 28 January 2009 - The financial crisis could lead to greater use of cheap heating fuels and burning of waste at home, increasing risks to children’s health. This adds urgency to discussions taking place in preparation for the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in 2010. On 28–29 January 2009, European policy-makers are gathered in Luxembourg at the Thematic Meeting on Healthy Environments to recommend actions and policies to protect children’s health from poor indoor air quality, obesity and injuries. “There is increasing evidence that disputes the assumption that children are safe in their own homes,” says Dr Marc Danzon, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “For too long, health systems have not done enough to promote healthy indoor environments. Public health authorities must protect those most vulnerable to environmental health hazards, especially when more people are at risk due to the economic crisis.” Indoor pollutants cause or aggravate health problems Housing and the indoor environment affect health and well-being more than is commonly recognized, resulting in acute effects, ranging from sneezing and coughing to outcomes such as cancer, chronic respiratory disorders and fatal injuries. With young children spending up to 90% of their time indoors, this places them at exceptional risk. In the WHO European Region, 10 000 children aged 0–4 years are estimated to die each year from households’ use of solid fuel, 90% of them in low- and middle-income countries. Owing to money or energy constraints, people burn waste or wood in rudimentary or badly maintained fireplaces for heating and cooking, instead of using cleaner but more expensive fuels. This increases exposure to carbon monoxide and the chances of house fires. For the poorest children in the Region, the risk of dying in accidental fires is almost 40 times that for the richest. In some European countries, 20–30% of households have problems with damp, which increases the risk of respiratory disorders by 50%. Children are particularly susceptible; according to recent evidence, damp housing could account for 13% of childhood asthma in developed countries. Compact housing developments have higher concentrations of indoor pollutants, and promote damp. Where schools have limited air exchange rates, students’ intellectual performance drops. “Clean indoor air is essential for the health of the population as a whole, and even more important for vulnerable groups like infants, children and the elderly, or people already suffering from chronic diseases, such as respiratory or allergic disorders,” says Mrs Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Health. “The European Commission, in close cooperation with the WHO Regional Office for Europe, supports the development of specific guidance for indoor spaces. Targeted action might also be needed to avoid hazardous exposures, particularly in schools or other places where children spend their time.” Effective solutions to protect health from indoor hazards Today in Luxembourg, European countries are strengthening the commitments they made in the 2004 Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) to substantially reduce children’s mortality and morbidity by improving the quality of indoor air. The WHO Regional Office for Europe is developing guidelines on this topic and recently reviewed examples of effective interventions, including adopting health-oriented building standards, providing financial incentives for switching to cleaner alternatives for heating and cooking, improving and maintaining indoor stoves, and quitting smoking. Healthy behaviour reduces disease and death; more determined action by citizens depends on the provision of scientifically sound and user-friendly information to parents and caregivers. “Specific action in homes and private buildings can be further encouraged by the provision of incentives and programmes such as the indoor-air survey programme carried out by the Ministry of Health in Luxembourg,” says Mr Mars Di Bartolomeo, Minister of Health of Luxembourg. “Survey methods have been developed, and the use of indoor-air surveys has caught on in many European countries in recent years. These programmes are beneficial, as they directly address the particular concerns of inhabitants. They also help health professionals understand potential exposures to chemicals and physical or biological stressors in homes and public places, which result in recurring health symptoms, such as acute asthma attacks, that they are repeatedly called on to treat.” Organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and hosted by the Ministry of Health of Luxembourg and the European Commission Public Health Directorate in Luxembourg, the Thematic Meeting on Healthy Environments will strengthen the political resolve to address indoor environments as a European priority for the years to come. Further information on the Regional Office’s work to improve air quality is available on its web site (http://www.euro.who.int/air). Note to editors: the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health The environments in which children live affect their health. Recognized risk factors – such as inadequate water and sanitation, unsafe home and recreational environments, lack of spatial planning to promote physical activity, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and hazardous chemicals – must be placed in the context of broader threats, including socioeconomic and gender inequalities and climate change. The Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and hosted by the Government of Italy in 2010, is a new milestone in the twenty-year European environment and health process and a step towards fulfilling governments’ pledges to strengthen health systems. As the 2008 Tallinn Charter says, “health systems are more than health care and include disease prevention, health promotion and efforts to influence other sectors to address health concerns in their policies”. Ministers of health and the environment, along with key partners and experts from countries throughout the European Region, are assessing the progress made since the adoption of the CEHAPE in 2004. At the Conference, they will renew their commitments to strengthening health systems in order to protect children’s health in a changing environment; these commitments will determine Europe’s agenda for tackling environmental health challenges over the next five years. Further information on the Conference is available on the Regional Office web site (http://www.euro.who.int/envhealth/p...). For more information, contact: TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Dr Michal Krzyzanowski Regional Adviser, Bonn Office Noncommunicable Diseases and Environment WHO Regional Office for Europe Hermann-Ehlers-Straße 10 D-53113 Bonn, Germany Tel.: +49 228 815 0400. Fax +49 228 815 0440 E-mail: mkr@ecehbonn.euro.who.int Dr Lucianne Licari Regional Adviser, Environment, Health Coordination and Partnerships Partnership and Communications WHO Regional Office for Europe Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark Tel.: +45 39 17 12 89. Fax: +45 39 17 18 18 E-mail: lul@euro.who.int PRESS INFORMATION: Ms Cristiana Salvi Technical Officer, Partnership and Communications WHO Regional Office for Europe Via Francesco Crispi 10, I-00187 Rome, Italy Tel.: +39 06 4877543, mobile: +39 348 0192305 Fax: +39 06 4877599; E-mail: csa@ecr.euro.who.int Ms Albena Arnaudova Adviser, Communication Partnership and Communications WHO Regional Office for Europe 14 Rue Montoyer, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 25064658, mobile: +32 495206132 E-mail: arnaudovaa@who-eu.be Source: WHO Europe - Luxembourg Health Ministry Press release |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 vote on 11 March. The new standards will apply from 2012, with rolling resistance limits to be tightened in 2016-17. What does this mean for public health? The new EU green tyres policy will reduce noise pollution in congested areas. Bystanders, pedestrians, and to a certain extent, drivers, will be protected from excessive noise levels. This can be a low-impact policy on noise reduction, with minimal costs to implement, that has benefits reaching the greater public. Road traffic noise isn't just an annoyance. This is a problem responsible for about 50,000 premature deaths and 245,000 cases of cardio-vascular disease every year. Nearly half of all EU citizens, about 210 million people, are exposed to levels of traffic noise judged to be detrimental to health by the World Health Organisation (55dB or more). |
| 01/02/2009 | 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, cell phone antennas, etc. ARTAC has long suspected the carcinogenic effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF). For two types of cancers, they consider the link with EMFs to be sufficiently established. The first type is acute leukaemia, which appears in people living in proximity to high voltage power lines and the second type are brain tumours, which can emerge after ten years of mobile phone use. But the health effects of exposure to EMF go beyond cancer. Exposure to EMF has also been linked to symptoms such as headaches, concentration and memory problems, tinnitus, fatigue and sleep disruption. In some people, these symptoms can become very severe and disabling, to the extent that a normal life – in a society where EMFs are omnipresent – becomes increasingly difficult. This condition is generally dubbed as ‘electrosensitivity’. Recently, Prof. Belpomme, president of ARTAC, has taken an interest in this condition. He conducted a series of clinical examinations of electrosensitive people in order to produce a clinical description of the symptoms and the different stages in the evolution of this affliction. He also investigated the possible causal mechanisms involved and looked for diagnostic criteria (characteristic substances or processes present in the body which can indicate damage by or a sensitivity to EMF). On the basis of this research, Prof. Belpomme concludes that electrosensitivity is real and can sometimes be very disabling. He coined the term “Syndrome of Intolerance to Electromagnetic Fields” (SIEMF) to provide a more clinical name for the condition. The first results of this research were presented at a colloquium on EMF that took place in Paris on the 12th of January 2009. The final results will be published in a report, which will be available on the ARTAC-website. More information: Video: watch Prof. Belpomme talking about electrosensitivity Electrosensitivity UK Dutch Foundation Electrohypersensitivity Report: Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) in the Netherlands FEB - The Swedish Association for the ElectroSensitive |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 Report: Mecury in Fish, a global Health Hazard HEAL signed up to the European Commission’s register of interest representatives. Press releases 11/02/2009, Mercury in Fish is a Global Health Concern Conferences and meetings On 11-12 February, Christian Farrar-Hockley->christian@env-health.org] and Nele Robberechts participated in a DG SANCO and DG Entreprise workshop on "EMF and Health: Science and Policy to Address Public Concerns" in Brussels. Christian gave a presentation on Read HEAL related article and presentation. On 9-10 February, Christian Farrar-Hockley and Diana Smith participated and provided input into a WHO expert meeting on damp and mould in Bonn. |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 complex mixtures of industrially produced synthetic chemicals,” says Laureen Benton, Health Officer at WEN. “The problem is that some of these chemicals are bio-accumulative. This means that small amounts absorbed when we wash our hair, paint our nails or spray on deodorant don’t go away and gradually build up to create a chemical cocktail in our bodies. To prevent this we need to choose products which avoid those potentially harmful ingredients. And that’s what Careful Beauty helps us to do.” Some of the most commonly used preservatives – parabens - are oestrogen mimics, implicated in a number of health issues including breast cancer. Synthetic fragrance or ‘parfum’ could contain over 100 chemicals and may indicate the presence of phthalates which are linked to reproductive damage and have been banned from use in toys. Careful Beauty cuts these out. Only those companies who do not use parabens or ‘parfum’ in any of their products are included in the Careful Beauty checklist which can be found on WEN’s website. “WEN’s Careful Beauty online checklist is just what women are looking for,” says Clare Dimmer of Breast Cancer UK. “Because of links between the hazardous chemicals found in our everyday products and breast cancer women want to know where they can find safer alternatives.” More information: Go to the Careful Beauty checklist |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 that are absorbed by vulnerable kids and pregnant women. Read more |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 new initiative also calls for a convention of health specialists to work towards phasing out all other uses of the dangerous chemical. The campaign is among a number of similar moments around the world to reduce the reliance of the medical community on mercury. Like many other countries, Argentinean doctors and nurses recognised the importance of a mercury free medical environment and worked to support the campaign. The European Union is another leader in efforts to reduce the impact of mercury and passed a comprehensive reform in 2005. Internationally, the World Health Organization has also called for a phase out of medical devices containing mercury. HEAL has been a strong proponent of reducing the amount of mercury we interact with in medical centers as well as in many other products. We have produced a report with Healthcare Without Harm on the dangers of mercury and how reductions can be made which you may find here. In this report you will find a lot of useful information relating to mercury in medical devices including a specific fact sheet on replacing sphygmomanometers. Please also look around the Mercury and Health portion of our website to find further information and other recent updates in this important subject. |
| 01/02/2009 | 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: populations whose per capita fish consumption is high in areas where pollution has elevated the average mercury content of fish In addition, the study shows that methylmercury hazards still exist where these dietary and local pollutant levels are less prevalent. This study is released as the world’s governments convene next week in Nairobi to discuss developing a legally binding treaty on mercury at the United Nations Environment Programme Global Council. Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, the Zero Mercury Campaign Coordinator, hopes that “all governments should consider these results and agree launching an International Negotiating Committee (INC) to start work immediately on a global mercury treaty, in Nairobi next week.” The complete report can be downloaded in English here The executive summary is available from the HEAL website in: English Spanish French Portugese Chinese The full press release can be downloaded in English here Related Article: Mercury discussions at the UNEP Global Council could pave way to global ban |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 exposures to common chemicals and radiation, alone and in combination, are contributing to the increases in breast cancer incidence observed over the past several decades. This article discusses the chemicals: phthalates bisphenol A (BPA) DDT (pesticide) atrazine (pesticide) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (air pollutants) hormone replacement therapy ionizing radiation Phthalates and bisphenol A, in particular, have recently come under scrutiny from the public and lawmakers. Canadians have moved to ban BPA from baby bottles and on February 10, 2009, a US law that will ban phthalates in toys and childcare articles goes into effect. A companion article called “Policy and Research Recommendations Emerging From the Scientific Evidence Connecting Environmental Factors and Breast Cancer” outlines the legislative action needed to protect against and reduce environmental exposures, as well as the research required to better understand and track toxic exposures. Related news: Breast Cancer: State of the Evidence 2008 now available in French – "L’État des connaissances: La relation entre l’environnement et le cancer du sein" HEAL & CHEM Trust breast cancer materials: Written by Prof. Andreas Kortenkamp, this brochure offers a systematic review of current scientific literature in: "Breast cancer and exposure to hormonally active chemicals: An appraisal of the scientific evidence" Brochure on "Factors influencing the risk of breast cancer – established and emerging" Leaflet on "Breast Cancer: Preventing the preventable" Guide by HEAL & Friends of the Earth Europe - BPA in Plastics: Is it making us sick? (pdf) |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 consists of 267 chemicals that have been identified as Substances of Very High Concern based on the criteria established by the EU’s new chemical legislation, REACH. ChemSec and other NGOs ask that hazardous chemicals are substituted with safer alternatives. Link to Spring 2009 SIN Reporter Related articles: Better Public Health: The REACH SIN List 1.0 |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 chemicals (EDCs). EDCs interfere with the delicate system of vital hormones, glands and organs that control how a baby develops and functions throughout life. EDCs such as BPA, dioxin and phthalates can penetrate the womb and cause adverse effects at extremely low exposure levels. These chemicals are found in water and baby bottles, food cans, dental resins, cleaning products, cosmetics, fragrances, packaging and construction material, cars, planes, recreational and electronic equipment etc. TEDX has reviewed hundreds of peer-reviewed papers on BPA, dioxin, and phthalates, and condensed their findings into an easy-to-use interactive website program that anyone can learn to use as rapidly and which provides clear visual illustration of the breadth of effects. With just a click of the mouse you can see what systems, glands and organs are affected by exposure at specific time points during gestation and you can click to see what is occurring at that same time point in human development. What this tool can bring for EU Policy REACH? Two of the chemicals / chemical groups featured in the Critical Windows of Development tool are subject to the newest European chemicals legislation, known as REACH. REACH has established a new system to improve health and environmental protection through better management of ‘industrial’ chemicals, many of which end up in everyday consumer products. REACH aims to collect the data on the health effects of chemicals to inform decisions about their use, and has also been designed to gradually eliminate the most dangerous chemicals from use. Arguably REACH sets a new global standard for the integrated management of chemicals, particularly in attempting to address long-term chronic exposures and its implications for public health. The new Critical Windows of Development tool provides an easy overview of what is known about the health effects from phthalates and Bisphenol A, chemicals which are subject to the new REACH system. Under REACH, if these chemicals qualify as ‘Substances of Very High Concern’, their uses would only allowed through a new permission procedure called Authorisation, and / or eventually be banned. To date, however, Bisphenol A has not yet been identified as a ‘substance of very high concern’, nor has it been placed in the line-up for the closer control of ‘authorisation’; via a so-called “Candidate List”. Chemicals can only be nominated to the Candidate List by the action of an EU Member State government, or by the instruction of the European Commission to the new European Chemicals Agency. Three phthalates, DBP, BBP and DEHP, have been placed on the Candidate List, and their priority ranking for the authorization procedure is currently the subject of a public consultation. About the TEDX TEDX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, Inc.) is an US organization that focuses primarily on the human health and environmental problems caused by low-dose and/or ambient exposure to chemicals that interfere with development and function, called endocrine disruptors. It was founded by Dr. Theo Colborn, who has written and lectured widely on the human health and environmental threat posed by endocrine disruptors and other industrially-produced chemicals at low concentrations in the environment. She is a co-author of the book entitled “Our Stolen Future”. More information Link to Critical Windows of Development Timeline Read more from the Critical Windows Factsheet Read the full press release |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 case-by-case approach in order to fully evaluate each genotoxic and/or carcinogenic substance. This guidance can be useful in the evaluation of carcinogenic and genotoxic substances under the Authorization process of REACH chemicals policy. |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 action confirms that citizens are getting more and more concerned about the impacts of environmental factors on their health. An official report with recommendations for the Cancer Plan will be published in the coming weeks, and will hopefully include this new dimension. Read more about theFrench Cancer Plan. The "Sick of pesticides" campaign aims to provide a platform to exchange information and perspectives on different concerns, and to mobilise the voices of citizens, cancer sufferers, health groups and scientists around pesticides and health issues to achieve more precautionary pesticides policies. To know more about our campaign and on the links between pesticides and cancer, please visit our pesticidescancer.eu website in English and French and subscribe to our bulletin. |
| 01/02/2009 | 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 Europe. The study, published in March's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, found that for every one-degree increase over a temperature threshold, there was a 4 percent average increase in respiratory-related hospitalisations, but not for cardiovascular or neurovascular-related problems. "The project represents the first attempt to evaluate the effect of temperature on several morbidity outcomes using a standardized methodology in a multicenter European study," Paola Michelozzi of the Local Health Authority in Rome said in a statement. Each city tracked in the study provided data for a minimum of three years between 1990 and 2001 on hospital admissions, meteorological and air pollution data. Researchers computed a "maximum apparent temperature" using an index that accounted for both air temperature and humidity. In most cities, for each degree increase over 90 percent of the maximum apparent temperature, respiratory disease-related hospital admissions increased for all ages — especially for those aged 75 and over. Source: UPI.com More information : Abstract of the study |