Publications

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Find HEAL’s latest publications from all of our activity areas here, we update this page weekly.

The publications are listed chronologically, but you can also search but subject area in the box on the right.

Date	Title
02/04/2013	Shale gas: Unconventional and unwanted: the case against shale gas
18/03/2013	HEAL Newsflash - March 2013
07/03/2013	Report: The Unpaid Health Bill - How coal power plants make us sick
08/02/2013	HEAL Newsflash - February 2013
13/12/2012	HEAL Newsflash - December 2012
11/10/2012	Background Paper: Health impacts of lignite-fired power plants: The German-Polish region Lusatia
11/10/2012	Background Paper: Health impacts of lignite-fired power plants: The German-Polish region Lusatia (German)
10/10/2012	HEAL Newsflash - October 2012
05/09/2012	HEAL Newsflash - September 2012
05/09/2012	HEAL Annual Review 2011 While 2011 has kept EU leaders busy with the financial crisis and setting the EU back on an economic recovery path, there was evidence of a growing recognition among politicians that changes in environment policy can create better health. HEAL's 2011 Annual review showcases examples of environmental health prevention achievements in all of our policy areas (chemicals, pesticides/biocides, air quality, climate change and others). While 2011 has kept EU leaders busy with the financial crisis and setting the EU back on an economic recovery path, there was evidence of a growing recognition among politicians that changes in environment policy can create better health. There has also been evidence of growing support for the environmental approach to better health within the wider community. The HEAL Annual review 2011 highlights our accomplishments and collaborations with member organisations and partners in all of our different policy areas (environment & health, children’s health, chemicals, pesticides/biocides, air quality and climate change and others). Most importantly, it showcases how environmental action results in better health and in economic growth and puts a spotlight on the win-win scenarios that make Europe more sustainable while bringing down rates of cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes or asthma. Read the Editorial or download the full Annual Review below.
10/07/2012	HEAL Newsflash - Summer 2012
03/07/2012	Report: Environmental Track Record for the 2010-2012 European Commission - Off Their Game A joint report by the Green 10, a coalition of Europe’s leading environmental organisations, of which HEAL is a member, gives a mid-term assessment of the European Commission’s environmental track record since 2010. This report is gives critical appraisal of the Commission’s performance in nine EU policy fields with impacts on the environment, reviewing the track record of 13 Commissioners and Commission President José Manuel Barroso. Thus far, half-way through its term in office, the European Commission is falling behind in the race to create sustainable prosperity in Europe. Faced with the breakdown of an economic system based on short-term gain, the Commission’s attitude to the environment has continued to favour short-term fixes over long-term solutions for people’s health and the planet. To support the report an information postcard was also produced. See photos from the press conference here.
21/06/2012	HEAL Newsflash - June 2012
04/06/2012	The European Example: What Have We Learned about Health and the Environment?
10/05/2012	HEAL Newsflash - May 2012
11/04/2012	A CHEM Trust and HEAL briefing: Regulating chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties The EU is developing an agreed way to identify chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties, for future regulatory action. To ensure these criteria catch harmful EDCs and enable swift reduction of exposures to protect public health, HEAL advocates that important scientific studies be used and that chemicals are not excused on the basis of a misleading indicator of risk. Chemicals should be defined as endocrine disruptors (EDs) on the basis of whether or not they have the ability to disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system in laboratory studies. The evidence should be drawn not only from all internationally agreed tests but also from other studies, including reviews of published scientific literature. Some argue that the level of potency of the endocrine disrupting properties should be used as a first filter to decide which EDCs should be addressed, with low potency ones being excluded from further consideration. This is not acceptable for several reasons. First, the EU political agreement mandated the identification of EDCs per se, without consideration of potency. Second, the potency filter presumes a ‘safe threshold’ which is unlikely. Even small amounts of a weakly potent EDC may cause adverse effects because it may add to existing exposures of synthetic hormones or act together with natural hormones. Third, a semi-potent endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) may be produced in large amounts leading to high and widespread exposure. Fourth, the exposure may occur at a time of special human vulnerability: in utero or during puberty, for example. A further feature is that some EDCs are known to have stronger adverse effects at lower doses than at higher ones. HEAL and CHEM Trust have produced the following briefing that explains these issues in further detail. These important ED properties should be taken into account to ensure that EDCs are correctly identified for further regulatory action. The briefing is available in English, German and French.
06/04/2012	HEAL Newsflash - April 2012
28/03/2012	Questions & Answers: Moving Beyond 20% - How reducing greenhouse gas emissions benefits people’s health in the EU The aim of this question and answer review is to explain why health will benefit from higher emission reduction levels. In addition it presents the figures for the health-benefits of individual Member States. In the recently published “Analysis of options to move beyond 20% greenhouse gas emission reductions: Member State results”, the European Commission highlights the substantial health benefits that occur as side effects, or “co-benefits”, of stronger climate mitigation policies. The aim of this question and answer review is to explain why health will benefit from higher emission reduction levels. In addition it presents the figures for the health-benefits of individual Member States, and highlights the evidence on why the Commission assessment is likely to be underestimation. The answers make clear why especially early action on greenhouse gas emissions will create the greatest health benefits.
27/03/2012	Briefing for policy makers: The health benefits of greenhouse gas reduction policies This briefing is intended for policy makers from both the climate and energy sectors as well as the health sector in Europe. It summarizes the key scientific findings on the health costs and co-benefits of climate policies in industrialized countries from the last years. Furthermore it highlights the growing involvement of the health and medical sector in advocating for early and ambitious climate action on health grounds. The conclusions provided for policy makers concern strengthening the link between health and climate change mitigation.
20/03/2012	Chemicals in our food and consumer products – A missing link in the epidemics of obesity and diabetes? (Leaflet and Conclusions & Summaries) This leaflet highlights how chemicals in food and consumer products may be causing obesity and diabetes. It outlines some of the evidence and how individuals and policy makers can take preventive actions. The leaflet is currently available in English, French, Spanish and Hungarian. The leaflet will also be available in German, Dutch, Czech and Swedish. The leaflet was jointly produced by HEAL and CHEM Trust linking obesity and diabetes with daily life exposure to chemicals. For additional information: See the full CHEM Trust Report (26 pages). The report gives a review of the science linking chemical exposures to the human risk of obesity and diabetes. The Executive Summary of the Report is currently available in English, French and Spanish and will soon be available in German. For additional information on other language version contact daniel@env-health.org Contacts: Genon Jensen, Executive Director, Health and Environment Alliance, E-mail: genon@env-health.org, Tel: +32 2 234 36 42 Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Policy Advisor, Health and Environment Alliance, E-mail: lisette@env-health.org, Tel: +32 2 234 36 45, Mobile: +32 484 614 528 Diana Smith, Communications, Health and Environment Alliance, E-mail: diana@env-health.org, Tel: +33 1 55 25 25 84
09/03/2012	HEAL Newsflash - February - March 2012
02/02/2012	Cut emissions, boost health
01/02/2012	HEAL Newsflash - January 2012
25/11/2011	Acting now for a better Health - 30 % Reduction Target for EU Climate Policy (Informational Postcard) HEAL had a booth within the UNFCCC COP17 exhibit area for answering questions and disseminating health and climate material from a wide array of health groups at Durban. One publication on feature was our ’Acting Now’ report on what stronger climate action would do for health (url: www.env-health.org/actingnow) which was promoted through our new Informational Postcard that directed audiences to this joint report helps provide policy makers with important evidence on the health benefits of mitigating climate change.
13/10/2011	HEAL Annual Review 2010 The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is a leading European not-for-profit organisation addressing how the environment affects health in the European Union. We demonstrate how policy changes can help protect health and enhance people’s quality of life. This is our 2010 annual report which is a review of our work during the year.
26/09/2011	The Parliament Magazine: Health Non-communicable diseases - Environmental factors The following article was written for 'The Parliament Magazine' published in Issue 334, 25 September 2011 You may also download the article here. The EU must help spread the message that environmental policy can be used to prevent chronic diseases, writes Genon Jensen The EU should put the spotlight on environmental prevention. The special summit of the UN general assembly on non-communicable diseases recently in New York was prompted by new recognition of the growing burden of cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes around the world. These chronic, non-communicable diseases are mainly preventable, and the summit therefore rightly focused on tackling the four main risk factors: tobacco, poor diet, alcohol and lack of physical activity. The problem was that the summit failed to include environmental pollution in this list of priorities. Smog hangs over many cities, especially in middle and low income countries, and simple air quality measures could dramatically help reduce respiratory and heart conditions. Yet, they have hardly featured in the debate. A European parliament resolution immediately prior to the summit called for environmental policy measures to be on the agenda. It recommended this risk should be added as a fifth factor and that reducing chronic diseases such as cancer or asthma must include reducing environmental exposures, such as hazardous chemicals and air pollution. In parallel, a group of more than 100 leading international scientists, health professionals and civil society stakeholders wrote to the heads of the UN and World Health Organisation about the robust evidence documenting the role that environmental factors play in chronic diseases’ causation, and urging them to include reducing people’s exposure to environmental contaminants as an important strategy of disease prevention, particularly in low and middle income countries. But neither prompted enough of the necessary response. In an open letter to EU health commissioner John Dalli, the health and environment alliance (Heal) urged the commission to take its achievements in using environmental policy to reduce chronic disease to the UN summit. The EU’s strong backing for smoke-free public places legislation in member states has been a huge success. The World Health Organisation announced earlier this year that studies from European countries that enforce bans on smoking in public places are finding reductions in heart attacks, with associated reductions in hospitalisation of 20–40 per cent. Although it is too early to assess the impact of the EU’s chemical safety legislation, a commission assessment of Reach prior to its introduction stated that if it succeeded in reducing chemical-related diseases by only 10 per cent, the health benefits would be an estimated at €50bn over 30 years. Greater focus on the environmental dimension of chronic disease, and the policy action that can reduce ill-health at the UN summit, could have highlighted, for example, the potential improvements in the health of those suffering from respiratory diseases, while also promoting fiscal savings as countries across Europe and elsewhere as governments struggle to reduce their healthcare bills. Responding to our letter to him before the meeting, commissioner Dalli told us that he shared our concern about the important role that environmental factors play in determining chronic diseases. Although during the summit, this life-saving and highly cost-effective tool did not receive the attention it deserved, the EU can and should include environmental factors as it develops its own targets to reduce non-communicable diseases. It can also include this approach in its position for the Rio+20, United Nations conference on sustainable development in 2012. Genon Jensen is executive director of the Health and Environment Alliance
13/09/2011	HEAL fact sheet - Chronic disease and environment European health experts worried that prevention of chronic disease through environmental policy may hardly be mentioned at UN Summit on non-communicable diseases in Sept 2011. In lieu of the European Parliament voting on a Resolution on the EU position and commitment in advance to the UN high-level meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable disease New York, USA, 19-20 September 2011, HEAL produced a fact sheet titled 'Chronic disease: How do environmental factors play a role?' In an Open Letter to the European Commission, HEAL also urged the health commissioner John Dalli to bring environmental factors to the agenda along with the four so-called "lifestyle" factors: tobacco, poor diets, alcohol and lack of physical activity. Read Open Letter here.
31/08/2011	Hydraulic fracturing of shale gas: a real scandal! BOOK REVIEW In France, Marine Jobert and François Veillerette, spokesperson for Generations Futures (HEAL member and partner) have published a book on the controversial new method for extracting shale gas known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking. Entitled ’Le vrai scandale des gaz de schiste’ the book is available in French only from Les Liens Qui Liberent, 2011. Paris, 31 August 2011 - Why a book on this theme when some have said that the file on shale gas and petrol fracking in France is definitively closed following legislation that envisages banning hydraulic fracturing? Following a reminder of the mobilisation against fracking in South West France (a meeting in August 2011 attracted 1,500 people including José Bové), the book shows that the new law hasn’t done anything to put off the petrol companies and investors, whose appetites are ever greater. Gigantic fracturing projects are underway in Poland, Argentina, China and the United States. The authors think it unlikely that France will be left out. Why all the concern? Fracking, which has been widespread in the USA since 2000, has an enormous environmental impact: it uses dangerous chemical substances, contaminates groundwater, consumes a large amount of water, and destroys the landscape. While climate disturbances get larger and the need to change the energy paradigm becomes ever more urgent, these fracturing projects only contribute to delaying an indispensable change in thinking. The book puts energy choices at its centre arguing that this is a crucial moment in the energy debate and a moment at which, according to the authors, it should become public. The book also reveals the secret history of gas fracturing, which leads from the US ex-Vice President Dick Cheney to a certain Julien Balkany, passing through the top-level administration in France. The book reveals much about our appetite for consumption, our blindness to the climate crisis, and the current weakening of the democratic spirit. On the website dedicated to the new book, readers discover news of a certain Julien Balkany, half-brother of Patrick Balkany and former non-executive Vice President of a company called Toréador, which has a permit to explore petrol fracturing in the Paris basin area. He has put pressure on the editor and the authors of the book threatening defamation charges. For what reason? Author Francois Veillerette says that they would all very much like to know the answer to that question. However, while acknowledging that intimidation is clearly a weapon, he says there has been no yielding to it: the editor and authors have modified nothing in the book as a result of this unacceptable pressure. ’Le vrai scandale des gaz de schiste’ website is at www.gaz-de-schiste.fr It was Book of the Day in Le Monde du 2 septembre 2011.
14/03/2011	Resources on cancer and the environment - compiled by HEAL (Document) The following contains materials to help explore links between cancer and the environment - raising awareness of the links between pesticides and ill-health, and to mobilise collective action for change.
24/12/2010	Six steps to pesticide reduction: A HEAL toolkit for communities and individuals wishing to reduce local pesticide use This toolkit is aimed at community groups and individuals wishing to reduce pesticide use in their communities and local areas. HEAL has drawn on experience of international pesticides and health campaigns to create a 6 step guide packed full of examples and model campaign materials. Pesticides are chemicals designed to be toxic, and in many cases their toxic nature can be harmful to our health and the environment. Mounting scientific evidence of the harm to human health and the environment from current pesticide use prompted the European Union (EU) to introduce a package of new laws to reduce our pesticide dependency. However, many Governments are being slow about carrying out the laws. The toolkit is aimed at community groups and individuals wishing to reduce pesticide use in their communities and local areas. HEAL has drawn on experience of international pesticides and health campaigns to create a 6 step guide packed full of examples and model campaign materials. Two versions exist, one without extra resources, and one with them.
10/12/2010	Cancun Climate and Health Statement (Report) Available in English, French and Spanish. The "Cancun Climate and Health Statement" was launched in December 2010 calls on negotiators to consider the "real costs" of climate change and the benefits of strong action by taking the human health dimension into account. There is a growing body of evidence that human-induced climate change is already causing serious human health problems across the globe. These health impacts will only escalate as the world’s climate becomes increasingly destabilized. The Lancet has called climate change, “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.
25/11/2010	Health and fiscal co-benefits of emissions reductions: a summary for negotiators (Briefing) 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. Summary: Policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will substantially reduce the burden of disease from heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, dementia, depression, osteoporosis, road deaths and injuries, and air pollution (and thus lung disease). These benefits are associated with substantial and meaningful savings in healthcare costs which offset much of the cost of mitigation. Such information should encourage negotiators: whilst climate change threatens health, mitigation strategies can save both lives and money.
24/09/2010	Acting now for a better Health - 30 % Reduction Target for EU Climate Policy (Report) Our report 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. We demonstrate that a 30% emissions reduction target could save public health billions. For the EU as a whole, the anticipated benefits could be as high as €30.5 billion - equivalent to just under 0.2% of EU GDP. This report is also available in Polish - Download here. More information about the report (in Polish) can also be found on the website of the Secretariat of the Climate Coalition for the Polish Ecological Club Mazovian Branch.
23/07/2010	Chemical Cocktails: harmful mixtures upset our hormones (Leaflet) This leaflet is available in English and French. Scientists around the world believe that increasing rates of cancer, diabetes and infertility could be reduced by removing certain hormone disrupting chemicals from products that we use in our daily lives. But to date although EU politicians have expressed concern, political action has been half-hearted. This leaflet shows that there are opportunities to better implement chemicals legislation to protect human and wildlife health - they just need to be grasped. It also contains tips how to reduce individual exposures.
30/06/2010	EU Health Forum Workshop: Policy Recommendations Integrating Environment and Health policy towards better health outcomes (Report) 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. View the Policy Recommendations from the workshop 'Integrating Environment and Health policy towards better health outcomes' below. For a full overview of the workshop content please click here, or for the programme click here All presentations from the workshop are available here.
11/06/2010	The EU Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP): Assessment and Outlook for future action
17/05/2010	Quiet please: Better health through strong EU regulation of road and rail traffic noise (Brochure) A new brochure from HEAL and T&E offering a tour of the problem of noise, the latest scientific evidence and the solutions that can give us all quieter lives.
21/04/2010	Which pesticides are used in my School? (Survey) At least one in every hundred cancers diagnosed each year in Europe may be directly related to pesticide exposure. The Sick of Pesticides campaign provides information on pesticides and health issues, and gives a voice to those concerned about pesticide health hazards. It aims to put pressure on Governments to set up an ambitious National Action Plan for Pesticide Reduction and to support people and public bodies to rapidly reduce their dependence on pesticides. This survey can be used to help gain a better understanding of pesticide (and biocide) use in schools so we can show governments why action is needed to reduce unnecessary risk. This survey was originally developed as part of our UK campaign, to gain an understanding of the pesticide and biocide usage in the UK and lead to our report Pesticides - a toxic education?
10/04/2010	CEHAPE Awards 2010: Environmental measures to improve children’s health The Children‘s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) Awards NGO competition for rewarding good practice in children's environment and health took place for a second time. Awards were presented to winners in eight categories on 11 March 2010 at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European Region Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Parma, Italy.
03/03/2010	HEAL Annual Review 2009
17/02/2010	Better health through a healthy environment This leaflet briefly describes HEAL's mission, track record and accomplishments. HEAL aims to bring significant, relevant and independent research findings to policy makers and the public in a format that fits their needs. Bringing the voice of the health community to policy makers is among HEAL’s key strategies. It also describes HEAL's strong track record in increasing public and expert engagement in EU and World Health Organization (WHO) debates and decision-making processes on environment and health. Our commitment to our membership and our mission entails: Monitoring policy within EU institutions to identify threats and opportunities for environment and health Running advocacy campaigns to bring the voice of the health community to policy makers Following policy-relevant research and making it accessible Facilitating public and stakeholder participation Building capacity through publications, conferences, workshops, and training.
21/01/2010	Pesticides - a toxic education? A survey of pesticides in UK schools (Report) Pesticides - a toxic education? A survey of pesticides in UK schoolsChildren are uniquely vulnerable to adverse health effects from exposure to pesticides and biocides. HEAL undertook desk and industry research to identify possible pesticides and biocides being used or present in the school environment and school food. The results prompted HEAL to survey all 206 Local Authority education departments in England Scotland and Wales about pesticides use in schools and their attitude towards pesticide use and pesticide residues. We received responses from fifteen percent of the 206 Local Authorities in the UK. Download the report for more information. Find out more about our Sick of Pesticides UK Campaign here
15/11/2009	Postcard: What’s good for climate is good for health Risks from changing patterns of disease, food insecurity, unsafe water and sanitation, damage to human settlements, extreme events and population growth and migration were far more severe for human health than most observers had understood, according to a systematic appraisal of available evidence by the Lancet-UCL Commission in 2009. We can avoid this threat. Action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions leads to direct benefits to human health, and to substantial fiscal savings.
18/10/2009	Damp Mould: Directory of Agencies In the European Region Providing Information on Damp and Mould to the Public 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.
10/10/2009	Nature & Health: Green 10 Briefing for the European Parliament Nature's goods and services (the so called ecosystem services) are the ultimate foundations of life, health and our whole economy. Human beings’ fundamental need for food, water, clean air, shelter and climate stability, are all provided by ecosystems. Moreover, nature is essential for mental well-being, recreation and recovery from stress. We often assume that good health derives from prudent consumer choices and behaviours, with access to good health care. But this ignores the role of the array of ecosystems that allow people to enjoy good health, economic activity and life itself. Continued...
08/10/2009	Green 10 Briefing for the European Parliament - Climate change The Earth’s atmosphere has gone through cycles of warming and cooling that maintained an environmental balance capable of supporting life for millennia. Human activities over the last 150 years have caused these cycles to alter, resulting in global climate change. Dangerous, human-induced climate change has now arrived and addressing it is a matter of survival and sustainability for humanity and ecology. Since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented its Fourth Assessment Report in 2007, new scientific findings tell us that the impacts of climate change on the planet, people and nature are appearing much sooner and are more severe than anticipated.
24/09/2009	Pesticides in schools (Leaflet) Pesticides may be found in schools, pre-schools, and nurseries. They may be used in the school grounds and in the buildings, or be present as residues in the food brought in. This HEAL leaflet provides a short guide to what these pesticides may be and what health effects they could have. For more detailed information please visit www.pesticidesandcancer.eu Through the Sick of Pesticides campaign, HEAL aims to show the Government that schools want to take action to reduce exposure, and that the new Government pesticide action plans should be helping them to do so. In Canada and the USA, groundbreaking new rules are being applied to restrict pesticide exposure in schools and play areas; the UK should be doing the same to minimise exposure.
10/09/2009	Pesticides in schools (Guide) Pesticides may be found in schools, pre-schools, and nurseries. They may be used in the school grounds and in the buildings or be present as residues in the food brought in. This briefing, from the Health and Environment Alliance, provides a short guide to what these pesticides may be and what health effects they could have. The briefing concludes with further useful information including guides on pesticide alternatives and links to useful organisations. Given the rising health concerns about pesticide exposure particularly concerning children, Local Authorities need to minimise children‟s risk whilst in their care and ensure that pesticide exposure is minimised in schools. We hope to demonstrate to the government that school authorities want to take action to minimise exposure, and that the new Government pesticide National Action Plans should be helping them to do that. In Canada and the USA new policies are being applied to restrict pesticide exposure in schools; the UK should be doing the same to minimise exposure. Download guide for more information.
27/06/2009	Healthy hospitals, healthy planet, healthy people In May 2009, HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe worked with the World Health Organization to produce a discussion document entitled Healthy Hospitals, Healthy Planet, Healthy People: Addressing climate change in health care settings. The paper highlights the leading role that health-sector can play in reducing the magnitude and consequences of global warming by bringing its own house in order. The joint document provides case studies of what hospitals can do to reduce their carbon footprint, including special mention of the efforts of the UK National Health Service.
27/06/2009	Climate change may be hazardous to your health A global prescription that aims to increase focus on the health effects of climate change by uniting the international health community behind four principles: · Protect public health · Set strong targets on emission reductions · Promote clean energy · Fund global action.
18/06/2009	Damp and Mould: Health risks, prevention and remedial actions (Brochure) Brochure available in English and Russian. This information brochure has been developed in collaboration with WHO and the Health and Environment Alliance, and was co-funded by the European Commission (DG Sanco, grant agreement 2005156). The brochure summarizes key messages that the public needs to know in order to prevent and reduce the exposure to dampness and mould, and to remove potential mould once it occurs. Emphasis is put on the problem of excessive moisture, which is the root cause for problems with dampness and mould in indoor built environments. Further references and user guides on actions against dampness and mould in several languages are provided, and reference is made to an international list of agencies providing more detailed damp and mould support functions to the public. This information brochure has also been produced in response to the WHO Indoor Air Quality Guidelines on Dampness and Mould. This brochure was developed following the advice of the EU Indoor Air Quality expert group, and makes available to the public some main conclusions derived in the WHO project on policy implications of actions against indoor air pollution with biological agents.
10/06/2009	Green 10 - Off Target: European Commission 2004-2009 Environmental Progress Report & Lessons for the next Commission 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. This report, released on the 10th June 2009, 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.
23/05/2009	Male Reproductive Health Disorders and the Potential Role of Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (Sharpe report) This report critically assesses the evidence that common and man-made chemicals widespread in the environment contribute to human male reproductive disorders. The disorders manifest themselves either at birth (malformation of the penis, undescended testicles) or in later in adulthood (reduced sperm count and quality or testicular cancer). The birth defects and later reproductive disorders share common risk factors and are considered as belonging to a testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) with a common fetal origin. Written by Professor Richard Sharpe, Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, The Queen’s Medical Research Unit, Edinburgh, UK. The fully referenced report identifies important areas for further discussion not only within the male reproductive health and wider medical community but also within the circle of decision makers responsible for chemicals regulation.
23/05/2009	Men Under Threat: How the decline in male reproductive health may be linked to exposure to chemicals This leaflet briefly describes the evidence that hormonally active chemicals may be implicated in the deterioration of male reproductive health, gives some statistics on the rates of malformation of the penis, undscended testicles, sperm counts and cancer of the testicle. Written for those affected and a wide public audience, the leaflet explains the hypothesis of testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) and how all the above problems may be linked to exposure to these chemicals during a male baby’s pre-natal development. The leaflet also provides advice on what people can do to minimize their exposure.
20/05/2009	Men under threat Report: The decline in male reproductive health This briefing highlights the trend of deteriorating male reproductive health and explores, via current peer-reviewed research, the links with hormone disrupting chemicals. The briefing outlines opportunities for improved chemicals policy to help prevent further deterioration of male reproductive health. It also provides a comprehensive list of chemicals that are associated with disruption of male reproductive development and the consumer products and food in which they are found.
01/03/2009	Climate change and the lungs - Fact Sheet for Adults & Children “Are you ready for climate change? Remember that hotter temperatures will mean that allergy seasons start earlier and last longer. Some very hot days will produce unpleasant peaks in pollution, especially for anyone with a lung problem. This factsheet aims to help you prepare for climate change and suggests simple actions to help moderate its worst effects.” Find below fact sheets for both adults and children.
11/02/2009	Harmful chemicals in products you buy? Your right to know The products you buy and use could be affecting your health. This leaflet briefly describes how harmful chemicals are in many different consumer products and contaminate our daily indoor and outdoor environment. It explains the new consumer ‘right to know’: how you can use it to make better consumer choices, to influence companies to make safer products, and to encourage regulators to improve the REACH chemicals law. The leaflet gives a model letter consumers can use, and resources for further reading and taking action. The leaflet is available in English, Czech, Danish, German, French, Hungarian, Dutch and Slovakian.
17/01/2009	Invisible burden - Good reasons to get rid of PBT chemicals Chemicals which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) pose particularly unacceptable risks to wildlife and people. HEAL, CHEM Trust, and WWF developed a brochure entitled "Invisible burden - Good reasons to get rid of PBT chemicals." This new brochure gives an overview of why PBT chemicals are a cause of concern, what EU decision makers should do and how consumers can reduce their exposure. This release comes at a critical time when the EU is currently reviewing the criteria for these so-called (PBT) chemicals within the EU chemicals law, REACH.
02/12/2008	Choosing our future - For a healthier life, consume chemicals in moderation! This comic strip aims to highlight – in a humorous and simple way – the recent evidence of harm to health from certain widely used chemicals, and to provide advocates and the wider public with examples of individual action and EU policy opportunities that can help change our future for the better. The broad themes of the four stories are: the special vulnerability of children to toxics; the “chemical soup” that now exists in our bodies; the potential risks of using mixtures of chemicals, such as cosmetics; and, alternative “greener” lifestyles. The publication explains the facts behind the dialogue, which are scientifically referenced. Other sections cover what the both individual and the EU can do to ensure and healthier and better future. Produced jointly by HEAL’s Chemicals Health Monitor project and Mouvement pour les Droits et le Respect des Générations Futures (MDRGF) in English and French, as well as Dutch, the publication aims to provide readers with what is currently known about the links between health and man-made chemicals and examples of individual action and EU policy opportunities that can help produce changes for the better.
26/11/2008	HEAL Annual Review 2008
02/10/2008	The co-benefits to health of a strong EU climate change policy HEAL has long advocated for joined-up policy-making which places health at the heart of climate change policy. These findings support those highlighted in a report produced by HEAL, Climate Action Network Europe and WWF in 2008 on the co-benefits to health of a strong EU climate change policy. This influential report suggested that raising the EU target on carbon emission reductions to 30% would prevent 5,300 cases of chronic bronchitis and 2,800 fewer hospitalisations annually by 2020. Achieving a 30% target would imply cleaner air and therefore fewer respiratory and related health problems, resulting in annual health savings of up to 25 billion Euros. These health savings are over and above the benefits of the European Union’s existing scenario of a 20 per cent target. The report shows that raising the target to 30 per cent would increase the savings by 25 billion, or 48%, from 51 to 76 billion euros. This report has formed the backbone to HEAL’s climate and health campaigns, such as the Prescription for a Healthy Planet – which calls of global leaders to push for a fair and binding climate treaty, to promote a health friendly climate. This year will see HEAL, alongside our member Health Care Without Harm Europe, expand the campaign at EU level, calling for a 30% reduction in C02 levels as a first step towards a 40% reduction (compared with those of 1990), expanding our research on the health co-benefits, and helping the health community to reduce their carbon footprint.
15/09/2008	Green 10: The role of the European Parliament 2009 - 2014
14/09/2008	Green 10 Environment at the heart of Europe: An environmental roadmap for 2009-2014 the role of the European Parliament The Green 10 group of environmental public interest organisations, of which HEAL is a member, have published a document in preparation for the European Parliament elections in 2009. "Environment at the Heart of Europe: An environmental roadmap for 2009-2014 collects NGO views and recommendations for the next Parliament on a number of environmental issues including climate change, biodiversity, sustainable development etc. HEAL, with input from its members, prepared the chapter on environment and health entitled "A Cleaner, Safer Environment for Healthier Europeans".
21/08/2008	Bisphenol A in plastics: It’s making us sick This publication is a consumers guide to bisphenol A entitled “Bisphenol A in plastics: is it making us sick?” jointly published by HEAL and Friends of the Earth Europe. It explains what the chemical Bisphenol A is and how best it can be avoided.
27/06/2008	Climate Change and Health Good Practice Award: Competition Entries On April 7th 2008, as part of this year’s World Health Day 2008: protecting health from climate change, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the EUropean REGional Health Authorities (EUREGHA), jointly launched a Good Practice Award for local and regional mitigation and adaptation projects that simultaneously promote human health and protect the climate. The awards aimed to share good practice by showcasing those establishments with health focused projects that tackling climate change. The competition has two awards categories: climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation, aiming to highlight health focused projects where establishments have reduced their carbon footprint or are preparing themselves for the inevitable changes that climate change will bring.
24/06/2008	Investigating chemicals in your school - toolkit This information sheet was developed for the following reasons: To help young people find out more on what chemicals exist in their everyday surroundings (homes and schools), where information might be found on the health effects from producers and others and the availability of alternative products. To provide a forum for young people from various networks and schools around Europe to share their views on ways to increase their participation in policy-making and on a specific environmental and health concern, namely, chemicals in daily life. To facilitate discussion between young people and European decision-makers (MEPs, WHO representatives, government officials) and provide concrete recommendations on forthcoming policy developments.
23/06/2008	CHEMICALS HEALTH MONITOR - Bookmark to address the link between chemicals, health and disease Your online source of information about chemicals and diseases The Chemicals Health Monitor Project is a new project of the Health and Environment Alliance in collaboration with other partner organisations across Europe. The project will contribute to the tools and structures necessary so that important health stakeholders can understand the REACH labyrinth and have their views about key decisions voiced. The project will also provide authoritative information (in a form accessible to the nonspecialist public) to support measures to reduce harmful effects of hazardous chemicals on human health and the environment, and to choose safer alternatives. This bookmark is a handy tool that directs to more information on the project. The project started in March 2007.
20/06/2008	Ville Zero Pesticides: Pour que nos enfants ne nous accusent pas 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.
17/06/2008	Public Health & Climate change (Leaflet) The Health and Environment Alliance’s “Health Proofing Climate Change” campaign aims to put health at the centre of a strong climate change policy across Europe in preparation for the global climate change negotiations in Denmark in 2009. The World Health Organization, HEAL, and the network of European local and regional health authorities known as EUREGHA would like to enable public health professionals to take a leadership role in advocating for the personal and policy changes needed for a more sustainable future.
14/05/2008	Indoor air pollution and the lungs – Fact Sheet for Adults & Children Most people think of pollution as the smog they see outside when pollution levels are high. Almost everyone knows that outdoor pollution can damage health. But not many people realise that pollution indoors can also affect them. How much time do you spend indoors? Do you think it is about half your day or a little less? Now think about it more carefully. Include all the time you spend in your house, your office, your school, and in shops and restaurants. We actually spend about 90% of our time inside, so indoor air is very important for our health. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to lung diseases – such as asthma and allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer – and affects other parts of the body. People who already have a lung disease are more likely to be affected by indoor air pollution and those with severe disease are also likely to spend more time indoors. The aim of this factsheet is to describe the main sources of indoor air pollution, what causes the problem and what we can all do to reduce the risk of ill health from indoor air pollution. There are factsheets for both adults and children in English, German, Spanish, French, Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian.
14/04/2008	Breast Cancer: Factors influencing the risk of breast cancer – established and emerging This briefing summarizes the key information on all the risk factors and breast cancer with particular focus on the potential role of certain chemicals in the environment. It is written in a language that is accessible to non-scientists and is suitable for the general public and breast cancer suffers. The briefing is available for downloading as a PDF document in several languages: English, German, French, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.
14/04/2008	Breast Cancer: Preventing the preventable This leaflet briefly describes the evidence that hormonally active chemicals may be implicated in breast cancer. Written for sufferers and a wide public audience, the leaflet highlights the risk factors for breast cancer, the views of several scientific groups concerning the role of chemicals, and what people can do to minimize exposure. It also briefly describes the policy actions needed in order to reduce exposures to hormonally active chemicals. The leaflet is available for downloading as a PDF document in several languages: English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish and Czech.
12/04/2008	Breast Cancer and exposure to hormonally active chemicals: An appraisal of the scientific evidence The report provides a review of the scientific evidence that certain chemicals may be implicated in breast cancer, and focuses on the role of hormone disrupting chemicals. Particular reference is made to early life and multiple chemical exposures. Written by Professor Andreas Kortenkamp, Head of the Centre for Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of London, UK, the report has been peer reviewed by Professor Jan Ake Gustafsson (whose team discovered the oestrogen receptor-beta), Dr Julia Brody from the Silent Spring Institute, USA, and Prof Alastair M Thompson, Professor of Surgical Oncology at the University of Dundee. The fully referenced report identifies important areas for further discussion not only within the breast cancer and wider medical community but also within that of chemicals regulation.
10/04/2008	Nanotechnology and Health Risks The Health & Environment Alliance fact sheet on Nanotechnology and Health Risks has been published on the HEAL website and can be downloaded by following the link. The fact sheet, developed in close consultation with member organisations and other NGOs, focuses on the definition of nanotechnology and nanoparticles, highlights the risks of nano-toxicity for human health and the environment, summarises the EU action so far, and provides policy recommendations on how to manage nanotechnology calling for a precautionary approach. HEAL recommendations HEAL calls for a strongly precautionary approach to manage nanotechnology: The assessment of nanomaterials as new chemicals Mandatory safety testing of nanomaterials prior to their inclusion in commercial products Requirements for product labels to indicate the presence of manufactured nano materials/particles The consideration of nanotechnology’s broader societal implications alongside questions of basic safety Public participation in decision-making regarding nanotechnology’s introduction and in determining priorities for public spending on nanotechnology research and development Recognising that concern has been expressed at the highest scientific levels about the health risks of nanomaterials, until such time as these actions are taken to manage nanotechnology’s risks, we support a moratorium on the further commercial sale of products that incorporate manufactured nanomaterials.
16/01/2008	HEAL Annual Review 2006
07/11/2007	REACH Public Briefing: What will the new EU chemicals legislation deliver for public health? This four page briefing introduces the new EU law called ‘REACH’, and briefly discusses the health problems linked to chemicals; how REACH can bring health benefits; the types of chemicals causing concern; and how members of the health sector, whose voice is important, can give input to the discussion on the law’s implementation. The briefing is available in English, Italiano, Français, Deutsch, Slovenščina, Česky, and Magyar.
19/10/2007	Climate change and Health : Protecting the most vulnerable The Health and Environment Alliance strives to raise the debate within the health and environment community on the health costs and benefi ts of adaptation policy and mitigation efforts. We aim to educate and encourage the participation of the healthcare sector in promoting energy saving and energy effi cient policies as a means to reducing greenhouse gases and dependency on non-renewable energy sources. We also want to raise awareness on how EU climate change policy is or is not consistent with health objectives. According to the Health & Environment Alliance, policies focussing on the most vulnerable groups and considering win-win-win scenarios for public health, adaptation and mitigation should be a first priority when tackling climate change. A review of the latest scientific evidence on climate change and health as well as key findings from selected EU countries and policy recommendations have been summarised in this HEAL briefing entitled "Climate change and health: Protecting the most vulnerable".
18/08/2007	Navigating REACH: An activists’ guide to using and improving the new EU chemicals legislation With the entry into force of REACH legislation in June 2007, environmental, health and consumers non-governmental organisations released a guide in order to explain clearly and concisely REACH goals and related procedures and obligations. The guide is entitled “Navigating REACH: An activist guide to using and improving the new EU chemicals legislation” and was published under the Chemical Reaction project.
01/08/2007	REACH My voice: how you can demand better protection of human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals One of REACH's most powerful measures is to legally bind companies to answer consumers requests concerning chemicals contained within any of their manufactured products. More information and a sample letter to request information are contained in our brochure "My voice – How You Can Demand Better Protection of Human Health and the Environment from Hazardous Chemicals".
23/06/2007	Neurotox Briefing: Chemicals compromising our children This discusses the problem posed by industrial chemicals for the healthy development of children’s brains. The neurotoxicity of chemicals such as PCBs, mercury and pesticides has resulted in widespread damage. The failure of regulation, and the consequences of inadequate regulation are reviewed, especially in terms of the overall social impact, and the financial costs incurred. Given past experience of inadequate testing of chemicals, overestimates of safe levels, and the disregard of warning signs, this briefing concludes that a more precautionary regulation is need, and makes specific recommendations for actions at national, EU and international level to eliminate exposures to developmental neurotoxins. It also mentions how health professionals can contribute. The briefing is available in English, Italian, Russian, and German.
20/06/2007	CEHAPE Awards 2007: Environmental-friendly measures that improve child health The Best Practice Awards of the Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) presented to winners, as part of the World Health Organization's Pan European Environment and Health process, at The Inter-governmental Mid-term Review Conference, Vienna Wednesday 13 June 2007.
15/06/2007	HEAL activities on Youth Participation and CEHAPE 2004-2007
14/06/2007	Green 10 Face the Future In June the Green 10 took part in the European Commission’s 2007 Green Week exhibition. The interactive Green 10 stand had an online quiz for people to test their knowledge of environmental issues, and an ideas tree on which conference attendees were encouraged to attach messages on how the EU can meet the environmental challenges of the next 50 years. All quiz participants received organic apples. HEAL is an active member of the Green 10 and contributed a quiz question on how ill health and rising diseases are affected by polluted environments. The focus of this year’s Green Week, entitled “Future Lessons Past Challenges” was a retrospective looking at 50 years of environmental policy in the EU, linking in with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. Reviewing past actions, Green Week was an opportunity to look at EU achievements and failures and identify lessons to be learned for the future. The Green 10 presented its vision for the next 50 years of the EU in this Face the Future leaflet. At the end of Green Week the Green 10 presented their “tree of ideas” to Environment Commissioner Dimas’ cabinet, with suggestions on how the EU might increase its resource and energy efficiency and protect biodiversity. Matthias Duwe, Director of Climate Action Network said, on behalf of the Green 10: "The EU needs a greener approach to its next 50 years. We need a vast improvement in resource and energy efficiency and investment in renewable energy systems. And we must protect and invest in ecosystems that support biodiversity. The contributions to our ideas tree this week show that citizens and policymakers are ready to engage with the European Commission and work together to take the EU into this greener future."
06/06/2007	CHEMICALS HEALTH MONITOR - Postcard to address the link between chemicals, health and disease Scientific evidence and policy opportunities to address the link between chemicals, health and disease The Chemicals Health Monitor Project is a new project of the Health and Environment Alliance in collaboration with other partner organisations across Europe. The project will contribute to the tools and structures necessary so that important health stakeholders can understand the REACH labyrinth and have their views about key decisions voiced. The project will also provide authoritative information (in a form accessible to the nonspecialist public) to support measures to reduce harmful effects of hazardous chemicals on human health and the environment, and to choose safer alternatives. This postcard summarizes the details of the project. The project started in March 2007.
25/05/2007	Dental sector as a source of Mercury contamination – Conference Report The report from the conference “Dental Sector as a Source of Mercury Contamination” held in Brussels on 25 May 2007 is available below. Organized by the European Environment Bureau, the Health & Environment Alliance and the Zero Mercury Working Group, the conference aimed to discuss the environmental impacts and health effects of dental amalgam use, and future policy options. Invited speakers included: the European Commission, the Danish Environment Protection Agency, the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI), the Council of European Dentists (CED), the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, Occupational health experts, Researchers, Patients ‘ groups and NGO representatives. A key finding of the debate was that mercury use in dental amalgams can indeed be decreased or phased out in the coming years, since adequate alternatives are already available and research could provide for a wider range of even better performing materials. Mercury in products including dental amalgams has already been banned in Norway and Sweden, and a similar ban will soon be introduced in Denmark.
24/05/2007	Outdoor air pollution and the lungs - Fact Sheet for Adults & Children The average adult breathes over 15 cubic metres of air every day. Although pollutants in the air are often invisible, they can have serious effects on our health, including the lungs, the heart and other organ systems, and the developing foetus. This factsheet aims to provide you with the answers to many questions you may have about outdoor air pollution and your lungs. The following factsheets are made for adults as well as children in English, German, Spanish, French, Greek, Italian, Polish, and Russian.
14/05/2007	Mercury and Dental Amalgams “The second largest use of mercury in Europe is for dental amalgams.” What is the concern about mercury in dental fillings? Mercury comes in different forms, most of which are toxic to humans, ecosystems and wild-life. High doses can be fatal to humans, but even relatively low doses of mercury containing compounds can have serious adverse neuro developmental impacts, and have recently been linked to possible harmful effects on the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems. Read on in report.
27/04/2007	‘Could Try Harder’ A mid-term report on the European Commission’s environmental record The Green 10 coalition of environmental organisations has produced a mid-term assessment of the Barroso Commission’s record in honouring its obligations to protect and improve the environment, as specified in the Treaty. This review presents a critique of the past two-and-a-half years, plus a ‘to-do’ list for the rest of its term. We conclude that this Commission made a poor start, paying lip-service to or marginalising the environment agenda. Worryingly, it appears to lack vision on how to ensure peace and prosperity in the face of climate change and ecosystem breakdown, and how to prepare Europe for the related economic, social and environmental challenges ahead. Its increased attention to climate change in recent months arouses some hope, although there is still no sign of a coherent agenda to make the EU the world’s most energy and resource-efficient economy. Leadership for countries unready or unable to take major strides towards sustainable development by themselves has been in short supply in Brussels. Read on in the report.
05/04/2007	A vote for my child’s health - Please do not spray hazardous pesticides where my child eats, plays and learns On 23 October 2007, the European Parliament voted on legislative proposals for a new pesticides policy package in first reading. Ahead of the vote, the Health & Environment Alliance and its Member organisations engaged in a series of initiatives to support better protection of human health and especially that of children and other vulnerable groups. HEAL launched a postcard campaign urging MEPs to support a pesticide reform that will take the most dangerous pesticides off the market and make children’s spaces pesticide-free. The campaign objectives were to share the scientific evidence on the negative health impacts to children’s health and to highlight what the European Parliament could do immediately to reverse this trend. The postcard was successfully sent to Members of the European Parliament by patients’ and women’s groups, doctors’ associations, other health and environmental organizations and individual citizens from across the EU.
30/03/2007	CHEMICALS HEALTH MONITOR - Report to address the link between chemicals, health and disease Scientific evidence and policy opportunities to address the link between chemicals, health and disease The Chemicals Health Monitor Project is a new project of the Health and Environment Alliance in collaboration with other partner organisations across Europe. The project will contribute to the tools and structures necessary so that important health stakeholders can understand the REACH labyrinth and have their views about key decisions voiced. The project will also provide authoritative information (in a form accessible to the nonspecialist public) to support measures to reduce harmful effects of hazardous chemicals on human health and the environment, and to choose safer alternatives. This report outlines more details on the project. The project started in March 2007.
20/03/2007	Environmental Justice: Listening to women and children HEAL and the Center for Environmental Policy and Law (CEPL), a HEAL member, launched a new report “Making the Case for Environmental Justice in Central and Eastern Europe” accompanied by this brochure on "Environmental justice: Listening to Women and Children". The brochure defines while poor and minority populations suffer disproportionate exposure to environmental harms and access to environmental benefi ts, women and children within those groups tend to suffer the most. Environmental justice, while focusing on discrimination against certain groups, requires an especially keen and focused consideration of women and children. For more information on the report click here.
20/03/2007	HEAL Annual Review 2005
14/03/2007	Making the case for environmental justice in Europe HEAL and the Center for Environmental Policy and Law (CEPL), a HEAL member, launched the report entitled “Making the Case for Environmental Justice in Central and Eastern Europe” accompanied by a brochure on "Environmental justice: Listening to Women and Children". The report provides sound support for the assertion that poor and ethnically marginalised people in Central and Eastern Europe, especially women and children, are more exposed to environmental hazards than majority populations. They are also more likely to lack access to water, sewerage and other environmental benefits. This situation is further exacerbated by inadequate access to health care. Case studies describe the death of a two year-old from lead poisoning, high rates of birth abnormalities, and an ominously quick succession of child deaths from cancer attributed to the environmental conditions in which they live. But the report is not without hope. It says that investing in the poorest and minority groups provides huge opportunities for improving child health in Europe. This would mean clean-ups of contaminated areas; greater support for local groups; and stronger engagement with the women in marginalized communities because women take most of the responsibility for family health. Policies and laws that simultaneously improve the environment and combat discrimination can significantly improve children’s health. For more information on the brochure click here. For a paper copy of the report or brochure please contact the HEAL secretariat at info@env-health.org. Useful links/resources: UNDP: “At Risk: Roma and the Displaced in Southeast Europe” United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Bratislava. Website: http://europeandcis.undp.org WHO:“25 Questions and Answers on Health and Human Rights”, “Health and freedom from discrimination”, "The Right to Health" Cartoon - World Health Organization, Health and Human Rights Publication Series UNICEF: Children’s right to water (from Convention on the Rights of the Child) Youth water project Landmines project in Bosnia and Herzegovina *** HEAL's Press release Summary case studies by country
04/03/2007	Health and Environment Primer Do you want to know more about environmental health policy in Europe? The Health and Environment Alliance has produced this “Health and Environment Primer”, which provides an introduction to all aspects of European environmental health policy. The guide defines basic environmental health concepts and maps out recent developments in the environment and health arena. It covers European policy developments in an accessible and approachable way combing history with information about relevant organisations and providing web-page references. It is aimed at policy-makers in the health and environmental sectors, including politicians, NGOs, academics, local authorities, women’s and youth groups, and those working in the health sector, including health ministries, hospitals and health care centres, and health professionals and carers, patient and European citizen’s groups. The primer is a resource to help people understand better what issues are involved in environment and health policy, where they can go to find out about the important environment and health developments, and who will be able to provide them with opportunities to become involved in different aspects of this important work. This guide consolidates major policy developments over past years with an eye to positively moving forward into the next five-year policy cycle. It describes the WHO Budapest Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Health adopted in June 2004 and the follow-up Inter-governmental review held in 2007. It also introduces readers to the European Commission Action Plan on Environment and Health for 2004-2010.
14/02/2007	Mercury: Global burden and risk to childhood skills The continued use of mercury poses a great danger for health; its use is spread worldwide in the environment and is increasingly accumulating into our food chain. A recent European Commission report shows that of people living in the Mediterranean region and in the Arctic a large number that live off fishing, had mercury found in their bodies where amounts were so large that it would be certain that neurological damage would arise in their children. Read on in report. This brochure is in German.
10/02/2007	Cut back on Pesticides for healthier lives This briefing explains our concerns and outlines policy proposals to improve this alarming situation by tackling the following issues: Why current risk assessment does not protect health? Why are foetuses, infants and children more vulnerable? What does new research show? Pesticide exposure in the womb: a lethal legacy Do we have reasons to be concerned about the level of contamination? Implications of the new scientific understanding of health effects of pesticides Conclusions and policy recommendations Also find below an awareness raising poster related to the report. Cut back on Pesticides for healthier lives - Poster
14/12/2006	Halting the child brain drain: Why we need to tackle global mercury contamination The survey findings of the HEAL campaign report entitled “Halting the child brain drain: Why we need to tackle global mercury contamination” demonstrate women’s current levels of mercury as a concrete example of low-level exposure to an environmental toxic. Exposure to mercury in the diet and perhaps at work may significantly harm the health of her unborn child. Mercury has been scientifically shown to harm human health even at low doses. It is especially dangerous for the mental development of the child when exposure takes place in the womb. The environmental health campaign by the Health and Environment Alliance and the global coalition Health Care Without Harm represents an example of a women-centred, local and global advocacy, research and information project on an important, emerging issue in women’s health. Results from the “bio monitoring” of women’s hair for mercury provided a key advocacy tool for raising awareness within the European Parliament and in the media worldwide. See report below. An article based on the report was also published in Women & Environments International Magazine a Canadian journal that examines women’s multiple relations to their environments.
14/10/2006	Mercury and Fish Consumption "Eating contaminated fish is the major source of human exposure to methylmercury. Until mercury contamination can be reduced, sensitive groups in the population can best protect their health by avoiding certain kinds of fish and eating other kinds of fish instead." What do we know about mercury exposure and fish consumption? Anywhere between three and 15 million people in Europe have mercury levels around one of the recommended upper safety limits, and a percentage of these people have levels ten times as high. This is a level at which there are clear neurodevelopmental effects. Read on in report.
14/10/2006	Mercury and Vaccines "Over the years, with more and more childhood vaccinations recommended or required, the amount of mercury to which infants and young children are being exposed has significantly increased." What is the concern about mercury in vaccines? Thimerosal, also known as thiomersal, is a preservative used in a number of biological and pharmaceutical products, including some flu and many multi-dose vaccines used for child immunisation. Mercury makes up approximately 50% of the weight of thimerosal in the organic form of ethylmercury. Thimerosal has been added to products to help prevent the growth of microbes since the 1930s. As more has become known about the effects of mercury on human health, the use of thimerosal in vaccines became an issue of increasing concern. Over the years, with more and more childhood vaccinations recommended or required, the amount of mercury to which infants and young children are being exposed has significantly increased. Read on in report.
14/10/2006	Submitting Mercury Sphygmomanometers "In practice, many healthcare professionals are already phasing out mercury sphygmomanometers." Why should healthcare professionals move to mercury-free blood pressure devices? In spite of the availability of alternatives, the use of medical devices containing mercury, such as sphygmomanometers (blood pressure measuring devices), thermometers, thermostats and laboratory chemicals, continues to be widespread in many European countries. Although European authorities recently agreed to ban the sale of new mercury thermometers for home and healthcare use, sphygmomanometers remain an area of concern because they represent a large mass of mercury per device (approximately 80-100 g/unit in comparison with 1 g/unit in a thermometer)1, and therefore pose a greater hazard in the event of breakage. Read on in report.
14/10/2006	Managing Small Mercury Spills "Even a small quantity of mercury can lead to mercury poisoning, particularly in children." Health and Safety Guidance to Minimise Health Risks of Mercury Spills Mercury can be found in a variety of medical devices. Because it is a powerful neurotoxin, great care must be taken to protect people from spills. The UK Medicinal Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommends that, in order to prevent exposure, mercury-free alternative devices should be used wherever possible. Where mercury devices are in use, the agency recommends the maintenance of health and safety measures to deal effectively with spills. Read on in the report.
14/09/2006	REACH Economic facts and figures Reaching the right conclusions: Economic facts and figures on the REACH proposal (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) Much discussion has surrounded the economic implications of the new chemicals law, REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals). This paper attempts to demonstrate that it is in the interest of the European chemicals industry and policymakers alike to secure a law which increases competitiveness, encourages innovation and, at the same time, provides better protection for human health and the environment. It also dispels some of the myths purveyed by groups intent on undermining REACH.
23/06/2006	Harmful Plastic Softener (DEHP) in medical devices There is an urgent need to restrict the phthalate DEHP in medical devices made from polyvinylchloride (PVC) for vulnerable patients at risk from excessive exposure. We urge the European Parliament to revise the Medical Devices Directive to reduce the risk from DEHP in PVC medical devices. This briefing outlines how DEHP is a developmental toxicant and infants and children are at risk of high exposure from medical devices.
14/06/2006	Mercury in Health Care ”Breakage of mercury-containing devices and improper disposal contaminate the facility and its immediate environment, often exposing staff, patients, and the community.” Mercury Pollution and the Health Care Industry Mercury has a surprising number of uses in the health care sector. In health care facilities, mercury can be found in medical instruments (such as thermometers, blood pressure instruments, gastrointestinal tubes, dilation and feeding tubes), in laboratory chemicals, pharmaceutical products (such as vaccines and eye/nose drops), and dental amalgams, and also in standard electrical and electronic equipment (such as batteries and fluorescent light bulbs). Mercury is ubiquitous in health care. Read on in report.
14/06/2006	Mercury and Health ”Relatively low doses of mercury containing compounds can have serious adverse neurodevelopmental impacts.” How Toxic is Mercury? Mercury is a naturally occurring metal whose primary store is within the planet. It comes in different forms, most of which are toxic to humans, ecosystems and wild-life. High doses can be fatal to humans, but even relatively low doses of mercury containing compounds can have serious adverse neurodevelopmental impacts, and have recently been linked with possible harmful effects on the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems. Read on in report.
10/06/2006	Clearing the air: indoor air quality makes all the difference A poorly maintained ventilator, toxic substances in vinyl, carpet, toys, paint or lumber: these are often invisible but they affect the quality of indoor air. Precisely where adults spend most of their time: at home and in the office. And exactly where children, those most vulnerable, spend their time: at school and in crèches. The Dutch Platform for Health and Environment has asked five experts to create recommendations for the Health and Environment Action Plan. These experts have come up with solutions that are surprisingly easy to implement.
15/05/2006	Brominated Flame Retardants: Assessing DecaBDE Debromination in the Environment
19/03/2006	Green 10: A programme for the Sustainable Development of the European Union Ahead of the Environment Council on 9 March, the Green 10 coalition of environmental NGOs, of which EPHA Environment Network is a member, launched a dynamic and comprehensive programme for the sustainable development of the EU. The programme urges Europe’s leaders and decision-makers to action with a set of concrete proposals to transform the EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy into an ambitious but achievable game plan. Measurable objectives are seen as crucial for all key themes - ranging from climate and energy to social exclusion and transport - as is the better implementation of existing environmental legislation across EU Member States. Other priorities in the programme include a 10% tax-base shift from labour to environmental pressures; reducing by half fuel consumption of new passenger cars over the next decade rather than allowing biofuels to count towards car fuel efficiency objectives; and ensuring greater coordination between Member States on effective and coherent aid policies. This Green 10 publication, "A programme for the Sustainable Development of the European Union", is a direct response to the European Commission’s review of the Sustainable Development Strategy published in December, which the environmental organisations see as a positive step but which still has much room for improvement.
17/02/2006	Clearing up Misconceptions about Mercury and Health
14/02/2006	G10 - 10 simple steps to help halt biodiversity loss by 2010 On the occasion of Green Week 2006, the Green 10 group of environmental NGOs published a leaflet entitled Saving life: 10 simple steps to help halt biodiversity loss by 2010. It contains facts and figures summarising the main concerns related to biodiversity, as well as practical advice on how to prevent biodiversity loss through changing our behaviour. The leaflet can be downloaded below.
14/12/2005	Zero Mercury Key issues and policy recommendations for the EU Strategy on Mercury Zero Mercury: key issues and policy recommendations for the EU Strategy on Mercury is a joint publication by the European Environment Bureau, EPHA Environment Network, Health Care Without Harm and the Ban Mercury Working Group. Issued in April 2006, the 140-page booklet analyses and presents the views of public interest groups from the environmental and health sector on the different actions proposed in the EU Strategy on Mercury. The document also provides policy recommendations that can be summarised as follows: Reducing mercury emissions to air and water; Reducing supply and achieve a ban on EU mercury exports; Reducing demand and phase out the remaining uses of mercury; Protection against human exposure to mercury; Supporting and promoting international action. More information can also be found on the Zero Mercury Campaign website.
14/12/2005	Final Report on capacity building workshops on EU and Pan European environment and health policies On 1-2 December 2005, EPHA Environment Network organised the second of a series of capacity building workshops on EU and Pan European environment and health policies for Central and Eastern European NGOs. The workshop, which was co-organised by HEAL's local member Sustainable World Foundation and co-funded by the Open Society Institute, took place in Sofia (Bulgaria) with participants from Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Latvia. Speakers included representatives of the European Delegation in the country, the Ministry of Health, various local environmental NGOs and journalists. The overall objective of the workshop was to raise awareness and increase participation of Central and Eastern European NGOs and community groups on health and environment policies in view of EU accession and implementation of the Budapest Ministerial Conference commitments. The programme therefore focussed on local experiences and case studies on regional priority goals (water and sanitation, air pollution, accidents and urban environment, chemicals) and on other health and environment policies at EU and national level (e.g. mercury and health, environmental justice, etc.). Participants also received targeted advocacy and media training on health and environment issues. What was highly appreciated was the possibility to obtain information on various issues (environment and health in general, but also children’s environmental health, air pollution, persistent toxic substances, water, urban development, healthy schools), including the EU accession process, and to get hands-on advocacy and media training. Overall, the balance between presentations and discussions were considered very helpful (7 out of 12). However, participants would have liked more interaction and practical exercise. Almost all participants (11 out of 12) gained ideas on how to run an effective campaign and considered that participation to the workshop opened up new possibilities for networking. Also, most of them would be willing to attend other similar HEAL training events. Please find below the final programme and presentations from the workshop, as well as a final report from the event. Final programme Presentations: Pan European Environment and Health Process and opportunities for civil society, Dr Hristina Mileva (Ministry of Health) Water and sanitation, Diana Iskreva (Earth Forever Foundation) Accidents and habitat and Urban Environment Strategy, Antoaneta Yoveva (Sustainable World Foundation) Chemicals and POPs, Ivaylo Hlebarov (Za Zemiata) Aarhus Convention, tools for new Member States and accession countries, Monica Guarinoni (EPHA Environment Network) Environmental justice, Dr Tamara Steger (Centre for Environmental Policy and Law) Lobbying and steps in planning an advocacy campaign, Genon K. Jensen (EPHA Environment Network)
12/09/2005	Chemical substances: invisible and unknown Leaflet that discusses chemical substances found in everyday products such as body lotion, carpeting and computers. Created in collaboration with the Dutch Platform for Health and Environment who asked a number of experts to make recommendations for a European Health and Environment Action Plan. Content is in English and Dutch.
14/08/2005	Fact sheet: A healthy environment for our children (DE) Frequently Asked Questions and answers on breastfeeding in a polluted environment. Report in German.
14/07/2005	Introducing the GREEN 9 group of environmental NGOs active at EU level Foreword Public opinion polls consistently show that European citizens are deeply concerned about the environment. The environment is an area where EU decision-makers can take action to bridge the gap between European institutions and citizens, to change people’s lives for the better. River pollution, climate change and wildlife decline are environmental problems that do not respect national boundaries. It makes sense to tackle these issues with laws and regulations at EU level. Despite the progress made in EU environmental policy, much needs to be done during the term of the current European Parliament and European Commission to integrate the environment into all EU policies. This is vital to ensure that the principle of ‘sustainable development’ is effectively applied in practice. Widespread public concern over the state of the environment has led to a continuous growth in the membership of environmental non-governmental organisations in Europe in recent years. Membership of the nine leading environmental organisations active at EU level is now estimated to be over 20 million people. This booklet gives EU decision-makers a short overview of the activities of the nine leading environmental organisations active at EU level - ‘the Green 9’ - together with their contact details. We hope that you will contact us if you need further information on what we do. We look forward to working with you. The Green 9 (now named Green 10)
23/06/2005	Breast Cancer - an environmental disease, the case for prevention The report "Breast Cancer - an Environmental Disease: The Case for Primary Prevention" (2), accuses Government and the cancer establishment of being fixated with screening and treatment while real prevention goes ignored, and demands an urgent shake-up of cancer policy "Women have been sold the myth that breast cancer is normal and inevitable. It’s not," says Diana Ward - primary author of "The Case". "Breast Cancer is preventable, but Government and the cancer industry determinedly ignore the evidence. How much longer must we sit by and let this disease take more and more women?" says Ward. Bringing together startling quotes from cancer specialists across Europe, the US and Canada, "The Case" argues that an official disregard for the reality is allowing breast cancer to steadily increase. The hard hitting review of 50 years of research gathers together incontrovertible evidence that many man-made chemicals and radiation - routinely released into our environment - are major causes of breast cancer. "The Case" cites examples from Sweden, Denmark and the US, where pollution reduction programmes have cut levels of dangerous chemicals from the environment, and demands the UK Governments do the same.
14/03/2005	Electromagnetic fields – worries and uncertainties Many peole living in the vicinity of GSM and UMTS masts suffer from complaints such as headaches, insomnia or dizziness. This report sheds light on the research studies now concluding that there is a connection between these health issues and exposure to electromagnetic fields, like GSM and UMTS masts. The report is in both English and Dutch languages.
14/02/2005	Environment and Health in Europe - Advocacy and Capacity Building Training Programme Report Over 50 participants attended the Advocacy and Capacity Building Training Programme organised by EPHA Environment Network in collaboration with Physicians for Social Responsibility on 31 January and 1 February 2005. The advocacy training programme was aimed at strengthening the advocacy efforts of the European health and environment community. Sessions allowed an update on EU institutional policy priorities, hands-on advocacy and media training, an introduction to Internet campaigning, a sharing of experiences from across Europe, and an opportunity to consider the priorities of the network as a whole. Below you will find the programme, presentations, as well as the final report. Programme List of participants Presentations: Changing Environment Changing Health, Katherine M.Shea Health Community Perspective, European Council of Classical Homeopathy, Stephen Gordon Internet campaign, Chemical Reaction, Anja Leetz Internet campaign, Mercury (PSR), Susan Marmagas Internet campaign, Autism Europe, Christine Cahill Success stories I, Making Hospitals Sustainable, Green and Safe, Karolina Ruzickova (HCWH) Success stories II, ERS Environmental Strategy Group, Dr Jorrit Gerritsen (ERS) Success stories III, Breastfeeding and infant feeding, Maryse Lehners (IBFAN) Success stories IV, Child injuries, Morag McKay (Ecosa) Success stories V, Education on environmental medicine, Peter Ohnsorge (European Academy of Environmental Medicine) Success stories VI, Getting Lippy about cosmetics..., Helen Lynn (WEN) Steps in developing advocacy campaigns, Susan Marmagas
14/02/2005	Towards Healthy Environments for Children: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about breastfeeding in a contaminated environment Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants have the tendency to accumulate in human milk. Reports of these toxicants in human milk have caused mothers and health professionals to question the safety of breastfeeding. However, a new scientific review article, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, comes to the conclusion that despite the health risks posed by these contaminants, breastfeeding nearly always remains the optimal choice for infant feeding. Human milk not only provides nutrients but also supports the still-developing host defence system of the infant with a number of crucial immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory agents. The health benefits to the infant of breastfeeding include decreased risks of infection, allergy, asthma, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and various cancers in both childhood and adulthood. There is another important article on the problematique of informing about contaminants in breastmilk and its impact on breastfeeding practice: “Communicating human biomonitoring results to ensure policy coherence with public health recommendations: analysing breastmilk whilst protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding”. This article was published in the Environmental Health Journal in its latest supplement ["Ethics and communications in human biomonitoring: European perspectives"]->http://www.ehjournal.net/supplement...]. Here you will find a useful factsheet “Towards Healthy Environments for Children: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about breastfeeding in a contaminated environment.” Feel free to use it in discussions and awareness raising with people about this issue. This material is available in English, German and French languages.
23/01/2005	Sick of Chemicals : A review of the evidence Chemicals have brought enormous benefits to society but research, such as the findings described in this booklet, are linking many of them to cancers, allergies and fertility problems. The European Union's draft legislation to regulate chemicals, called REACH, aims to protect health and the environment. But many scientific experts and NGOs feel the proposed legislation will not provide adequate protection from the health effects of harmful chemicals, or provide future generations with a planet that is not polluted with hazardous chemicals. European countries must reduce dependency on chemicals that are harmful and replace them with safer substitutes. This booklet shows only the tip of the iceberg in terms of evidence of the links between chemicals and health. It sets out some of the illnesses and conditions where there is «strong» or «good» evidence that chemicals contribute to ill health.
14/10/2004	It’s our world, our future too: Young people’s voices on environment and health priorities A manual and video have been produced containing the voices of young people from Russia, UK and Belgium. The children and students describe how the environment is affecting their health, and what they think can be done for a better future. Three themes are highlighted: urban environment and mental health; water, chemicals and air quality; and, other issues, such as racism, drugs and violence. The manual was developed to show how to involve children and young people using video to get their message across. Watch the video and related clip using the following links: Budapest Diary (QuickTime, 12,6 MB, 2:44) It’s our World, our Future too (QuickTime, 51 MB, 8:12) The full DVD version of the video is available free of charge by e-mailing your request and full contact details to info@env-health.org, the HEAL Secretariat. The project was based on work done by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), who acted as one of the overall coordinators, along with ECO-Accord Center and Soros Foundation Hungary. Thanks also goes to all of the young people, teachers and other individuals who made this project possible, and the European Commission and UK Health Protection Agency for making the video and its free distribution possible. Thanks goes to the following: Russian school: Moscow Physical-Mathematical School No 1511 Coordination by: Victoria Elias, Eco Accord, Moscow ; Camera: Andrei Ivaschenko and Andrei Savenkov; Teachers: Galina Nikolaevna El’tseva (deputy director), Svetlana Yurievna Karaseva (teacher of ecology and environment), Valentina Nikolaevna Churilina (teacher of biology); Students: Dimitri Osmushkin, Alexander Nikitin, Nikolai Barmenkov, Alina Bezhenar, Polina Starygina, Vitaliy Lysenko Belgian school: Vrij Technisch Instituut, Beringen Coordination by: Genon Jensen EPHA Environment Network; Teacher: Eef Carlier; Students: Ben Reynders, Rob Debacker, Wouter Vandebergh, Michael Dekeyser, Sander Heeren, Annelies Cassiers, Nicky Haegdorens and Dave Hannes Hungarian school: Gandhi Secondary School, Pecs, Hungary Coordination by: Katalin Szoke, Soros Foundation Hungary; Teacher: Renáta Dezső Students: Ernő Balogh, Zoltán Bogdán, Zsolt Kolompár, Brigitta Kertész, Erika Mecseki; Camera: Carolyn Stephens United Kingdom school: Eastbury High School, Barking Coordination by: Carolyn Stephens, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Camera: Nelson Sivalingam; Students: Nelson, Iram, Samiya, Jonathan, Onai, Kamaljit, Gladys, Stella, Helen, Chris, Gent, Robert, James, Edvin, Steven, James, Ernest, Yurgust, Antony, Pamela and friends from Gascoigne Read more in the Information Release
23/09/2004	Chemicals beyond control ensuring EU chemicals policy protects human health and the environment As a result of the failure of current chemicals regulations we are all constantly exposed to a wide range of synthetic chemicals, some of which are known to be capable of causing adverse effects on the health of wildlife and on ourselves. Under current chemicals regulations there are extremely large data gaps. We know very little about the properties, environmental fate or human health impacts of many man-made chemicals found in our environment. The proposed EU Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) legislation is intended to address that problem. To learn more see Press Releases and Briefings by Chemical Reaction (in 5 European Languages) in conjunction with EEN, Greenpeace, EEB, WWF Europe and Friends of the Earth Europe.

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