Health & Environment Alliance

HEAL joins calls for France to maintain its leadership on endocrine disrupting chemicals

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:40:17 +0200

Press statement

Brussels, 19 June 2013 – The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has joined French civil society organisations in calling on France to maintain its leadership for better regulation on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). (1)

Twenty-seven not-for-profit organisations in France have declared the start of their mass mobilisation today to coincide with the fifth and final meeting of the stakeholders in the National Strategy on Endocrine Disruptors (SNPE) in France.

The groups have published a manifesto (2) and public petition (3) calling on the French government to adopt an ambitious strategy to reduce exposure of populations and ecosystems to endocrine disruptors. The signatories comprise a diverse coalition of French civil society groups, including environmental groups, health insurance bodies, patients groups, consumers, unions and women's groups.

Progress in negotiations within the National Strategy on Endocrine Disruptors (SNPE) in France appears to be stalling or even receding, according to the press release to launch the campaign. (1) Implementation of the labelling requirement from the existing law on bisphenol A in food packaging does not seem to be taking place, and the anticipated measures on phthalates, which was promised by the environment minister Delphine Batho, has not happened. (1)

“HEAL is today urging France to stay the course and ensure that it carry its positions into the EU realm. So far, France has shown good leadership on the regulation of EDCs at home, and we hope that they will also take these lead positions in the relevant EU decision making processes, including on criteria to identify EDCs, future EDC strategy, and how REACH treats EDCs,” says Lisette van Vliet, Senior Policy Adviser, Health and Environment Alliance.

In recent months, two important statements from scientific experts have urged action on EDCs to protect public health. In May, the world's leading experts published the Berlaymont Declaration, which pointed to the high or increasing levels of endocrine-related conditions in Europe. (4) This month, 180 leading scientists at the Collegium Ramazzini published their statement urging action on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. (5)

Equally or more important was the publication of the recent joint report by the World Health Organization and United Nations Environment Programme United for the Environment on EDCs. (6) Although WHO is traditionally cautious on scientific issues in which there is controversy, it has deemed EDCs a global threat which need to be resolved.

Yannick Vicaire from Reseau Environnement Sante in France notes that French mobilisation is contributing to - and complementing - a European-wide EDC Free campaign (7) in which several French civil society groups are founding members. “It is high time that EU decision makers hear from the wider pan European public - we will no longer tolerate this ongoing contamination of our bodies and our environment with these poisonous hormone disruptors. We want real action now that ensures healthy future,” he says.

Contacts

Lisette van Vliet, Senior Policy Advisor, HEAL, lisette@env-health.org Tel: +32 2 234 36 45. Mobile: +32 484 614 528

Yannick Vicaire, Réseau Environnement Santé, + 33 6 08 75 50 15, res.yvicaire@gmail.com

Diana Smith, Communications, HEAL, +33 1 55 25 25 84, diana@env-health.org

Notes

1. Press release can be found below in French and English

2. Manifesto: Perturbateurs endocriniens : le temps de l'action, http://stop-aux-pe.weebly.com/manifeste-des-associations.html

3. Public petition: Ensemble contre les PE : http://www.stop-aux-pe.org and petition on Change.org at: http://www.change.org/StopPE

4. Berlaymont Declaration, http://www.brunel.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/300200/The_Berlaymont_Declaration_on_Endocrine_Disrupters.pdf

5. The Collegium Ramazzini releases an official position on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and Chemicals Safety Policy in the EU, 13 June 2013, http://collegiumramazzini.org/

6. WHO/UNEP report http://www.who.int/ceh/publications/endocrine/en/

7. EDC Free website www.edc-free-europe.org

Press release in French here
Press release in English here

HEAL Newsflash - June 2013

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:19:58 +0200

EEA report outlines environmental risks for people's health

The European Environmental Agency's assessment underlines how EU environmental policies contributed to better health but also warns that work still needs to be done to address pollutants and new environmental health risks, and environmental health inequalities. Read more...

HEAL participates at the 18th International Conference on Environmental Health in Children

HEALer Julia Huscher participated at this conference in Poland to provide an overview on the effects of emissions from coal power plants on children's health. Read more…

Road traffic noise increases risk of diabetes

The body of evidence on health impacts of noise is growing. After links to heart disease and children's impaired learning, a new Danish study shows how noise may be associated with an increased risk of diabetes, a health challenge for the whole of Europe. Read more...

HEAL responds to Berlaymont Declaration on endocrine disruptors

Eighty nine of the world's leading scientific experts on endocrine disrupting chemicals made the strongest ever call for regulatory action in the Berlaymont Declaration. Read more...

Global call to take action on chemicals in consumer products and pesticides

A group of influential scientists from the Endocrine Society have called on the UN, the WHO and other global players to take action to prevent harm from endocrine disrupting chemicals in consumer products and pesticides. These chemicals likely play a role in increased incidences of reproductive diseases, cancer, obesity, and type-2 diabetes worldwide. Read more...

Global ban of flame retardant HBCD

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a common highly toxic flame retardant used in insulation, textiles, and electronics has been added to the list of chemicals banned worldwide. The decision came at a meeting of delegates to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Read more...

Chemicals in children's food

The presence of toxic substances and chemical residues in food is a concern for children. The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) launched a statement for parents, carers and health professionals with information, based on up-to-date evidence of peer-reviewed scientific research. Read more...

WHO, climate change and health

Ahead of a high-level meeting of the World Health Organisation, HEAL teamed up with the Climate and Health Alliance, Climate and Health Council and other health professional organisations for a letter to the WHO Director General. Groups recall the Doha Declaration on Climate, Health and Wellbeing, and stress how important it is that all WHO member states take action on climate change. Read more...

Which future for EU climate policy?

The public consultation on the 2030 framework for climate and energy policies is still open for comments. Stakeholders are encouraged to share their views on the EU's climate emission reductions, energy savings and renewables. Read more…

The Unpaid Health Bill launched in Poland

Burning coal in power plants in Poland results in health costs of up to 8.2 billion every year, according to HEAL's latest report now available in Polish. The report launched at a press conference in Warsaw, reveals for the first time the monetary health costs of health for Poland. Read more...

EU air quality measures: aim high!

Health and environmental groups warn that the proposals on future EU air policies scheduled for this autumn could fail to achieve the emission reductions needed to tackle air pollution. The joint paper submitted to the EU Commission underlines that the scientific evidence on health effects calls for the highest level of ambition. Read more…

Members' news

WECF - Successful high level conference on integrating chemical safety in Belgrade

EPHA - Brave New World: Inclusive Growth and Well-Being or Vested Interests and Lost Generations?

ELF - Consortium member of two EU projects highlighted on World Asthma Day

INCHES - 7th International Network on Children's Health, Environment and Safety Conference, November 2013

C2DS - Training sessions on health and sustainable development

Inter-Environment Wallonie - Signs open letter for a nanoregister in Belgium

WECF - Disappointing results of COP6 in Geneva, not listing chrysotile asbestos

Breast Cancer UK - New report gives evidence of the link between BPA and breast cancer

PAN Europe - Proposal for a new EU Common plant health regime lacks environmental and public health considerations

Générations Futures - Debrief meeting of the collective expertise of INSERM on pesticides

Publications

Nieplacony Rachunek: Jak energetyka węglowa niszczy nasze zdrowie - HEAL's coal report in Polish

Lepsze zdrowie dzięki zdrowemu środowisku - HEAL leaflet in Polish

Events

June

20 June – European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium: Initiative for Clean Air in Europe
This event hosted by Peter Liese MEP and Chris Davis MEP focuses on practical solutions for clean air and best practice examples for clean air in cities. To register please email jennyfer.brendel@ep.europa.eu before 12 June 2013

24 – 25 - Brussels, Belgium: European Citizen's Summit - First ever citizen's summit. Express your interest here before 14 May

August

1 – 7 August – World Breastfeeding Week
This year's theme ‘Breastfeeding support: Close to mothers' highlights Breastfeeding Peer counselling. More information available here

20-23 – Basel, Switzerland: ISES-ISEE-ISIAQ 2013: Environment and Health – Bridging North, South, East and West - More information here

September

4 – 5 September – Brussels, Belgium: Brave New World: Inclusive Growth and Well-Being or Vested Interests and Lost Generations?
This is an opportunity to look at how we can foster an EU that is coherent in its decisions, in terms of fostering the health and well-being of people living in Europe. More information available here

9 – 11 September – Manchester, UK: 9th International Symposium on Biological Monitoring
The symposia brings together the world's leading experts and practitioners to share knowledge on topics including new biomarkers of exposure, effect and susceptibility, new analytical techniques and case studies of occupational and environmental exposures. More information available here

November

22 – Jerusalem, Israel: 7th International Conference on Children's Health and the Environment - More information here

Take action

Public consultation on the Green Paper ´A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies
The Green Paper published on 27 March by the EC launches a public consultation - Deadline 2 July 2013

European Citizen´s Initiative "30km/h – making streets liveable!"
European citizens are calling on the EU to introduce 30km/h as the standard speed limits for villages, towns and cities. More information here

ECHA public consultation on its draft multi-annual work programme 2014 - 2015 - Deadline 15 July 2013

Media coverage

Trade-offs: What's good for the climate may not be good for the air
Euractiv, 6 June 2013

Ukrainian ecologists call on EU not to fund new coal plants
Euractiv, 6 June 2013

From coal to cars, EU states fail to combat air pollution
Euractiv, 3 June 2013

Zdrowotne koszty pozyskania energii z węgla to nawet 34 mld zł
Forbes Poland, 3 June 2013

Environment Agency's Lord Smith criticises the "dash for coal"
Energy and Environment Management, 30 May 2013

89 scientists join call for EU action on hormone-disrupting chemicals
Euractiv, 24 May 2013

HEAL tweets

Anne @HealthandEnv Switch to walking & cycling, use renewables & eat a diet with less meat– a triple win for #climate, #air quality &#health
EU Week against Cancer: why is prevention through a cleaner environment not on the agenda? Read HEAL's briefing http://bit.ly/15fdk53

Générations Futures: Debrief meeting of the collective expertise of INSERM on pesticides

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:57:38 +0200

On 13 June Gerard Bapt, Member of the Haute-Garonne and President of the Environmental Health Group of the second Environmental Health Nation Plan invites interested participants to a debriefing meeting of the collective expertise of INSERM entitled “Pesticides and Health".

INSERM is the National Institute of Health and Medical Research, a French biomedical and public health research institution. The meeting takes place at 17h00 at the Social Affairs Committee of the National Assembly in Paris.

This meeting will provide an opportunity for researchers involved in the development of this expertise to present the results of their work on the health effects of pesticides.

If you would like to attend this event please register by 7 June with qdecker.gbapt@clb-dep.fr

PAN Europe: Proposal for a new EU Common plant health regime lacks environmental and public health considerations

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:57:36 +0200

Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) welcomes that EU Member States will establish proper survey programmes as part of a proposal for an updated EC Common plant health regime. Yet, it is a missed opportunity not to highlight what kind of actions might contribute to prevention. The reform proposal fails to target environmental and public health concerns with no plan to establish what can be done to ensure less use of pesticides.

The new proposal aims at ensuring that ‘new' pests are being discovered and eradicated at an early stage to reduce the spreading possibilities. While PAN Europe welcomes the idea of national survey programmes, there should be a full integration of these into the actions already foreseen in the Sustainable Use Directive as well as proper national pest and pesticide surveillance systems with for example monitoring capabilities and an expert panel for biological control.

Furthermore, PAN Europe proposes that rather than compensating operators for the value of destroyed plant-which could mean spraying a lot of hazardous pesticides- it would instead be more logical to transfer part of this extra funding to the agri-environmental scheme of the Common Agricultural Policy, in order to encourage farmers to develop more resilient systems, less vulnerable to potential pest attack in the first place.

Breast Cancer UK: New report gives evidence of the link between Bisphenol A and breast cancer

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:57:32 +0200

A new report by Breast Cancer UK entitled Body of Evidence gives an overview of the low dose effects of Bisphenol A in relation to breast cancer. The review demonstrates that reducing exposure to BPA would be an evidence-based starting point and the removal of one chemical alone will probably not solve the problems of breast cancer but it may serve as a springboard for reducing the chemical burdens of the human breast.

Every day women are dying of breast cancer, so it is undoubtedly better to start somewhere than to be paralysed by the complexity into inactivity.

The report draws together some of the latest science on BPA and highlights how much evidence there is that this chemical affects the structure and development of the mammary gland, increases breast density, and disrupts DNA. All of these factors are known to increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Read the full report here

WECF: Disappointing results of COP6 in Geneva, not listing chrysotile asbestos

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:57:31 +0200

Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) expressed disappointment at the results of the recent Rotterdam Convention conference in Geneva as it did not add chrysotile asbestos to the Convention's list of hazardous substances.

For the fourth time, a group of countries blocked the adding of chrysotile asbestos, even though the Convention´s expert scientific committee has repeatedly recommended that it should be on the list.

The Convention requires that countries practice responsible trade by obtaining prior informed consent before they export hazardous substances to another country, but these countries are practising irresponsible trade and hiding the hazards of chrysotile asbestos. Many people have developed cancer from asbestos exposure.

As well as civil society, the vast majority of parties to the Rotterdam Convention are dismayed highlighting the in-depth research and understanding of the current and future health and environmental costs of inaction on this product.

Inter-Environment Wallonie: Signs open letter for a nanoregister in Belgium

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:57:28 +0200

Engineered nanomaterials have different properties than traditional materials and chemicals including improved responsiveness, resistance, conductivity, and efficiency. They are being increasingly used in all kinds of products and applications such as car components, paints, cosmetics, electronics, medical devices, and textiles to name a few.

Despite their growing presence in our daily lives, we know very little about their short and long term impacts on human health and the environment, and they are clearly gaps in regulation. Nanomaterials should be manufactured, sold, used and disposed of in a responsible, safe and sustainable manner. In addition, consumers should have transparent and comprehensive information on nanomaterials and products to decide if they want to buy nano products.

In this context, Inter-Environment Wallonie has recently signed an open letter with other Belgian organisations to call for a nanoregister in Belgium that would keep track of all nanomaterials and products containing them. Such a tool would ensure traceability, inspire confidence in all stakeholders and contribute to the competitiveness and innovation of Belgian and European companies. If exposure to nanomaterials led to diseases and illnesses, the authorities would be able to use this information and act more effectively.

Read the open letter here (FR)

C2DS: Training sessions on health and sustainable development

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:57:26 +0200

Comité pour le Développement Durable en Santé (C2DS) is providing training in June aiming to educate health professionals about the challenges of sustainable development and contribute to how individuals act in accordance with the national policy of the development of health professionals during 2013.

The different training sessions include integrating and management sustainable development in schools; health and work; preventing the risk of chemicals in hospitals and leadership coaching for managers around the martial arts.

More information available here

INCHES: 7th International Network on Children's Health, Environment and Safety Conference, November 2013

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:54:35 +0200

From 20 – 22 November, the International Network on Children's Health, Environment and Safety (INCHES) is organising its 7th International Conference in Jerusalem.

Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in society with regard to exposure to environmental factors and there is still a lot to be done in the field of children´s environmental health. This conference brings together professionals to discuss the latest developments in this field and offers a platform for dealing with health problems of children caused by important environmental influences.

The objectives are to provide an international forum for the latest research findings in children's environmental health; define the relationship between environmental contaminants and children's health; strengthen the importance of prenatal exposure to environmental factors on pregnancy outcome; identify opportunities to minimise childhood prenatal and postnatal exposure to environmental contaminants; provide insight in the activities in the field of science and policy interface; build a platform of knowledge at the international level; develop a greater awareness among health professionals about children's health, environment and safety; and initiate future directions in research in the field of children's environmental health.

You can find the call for abstracts and the registration form here

ELF: Consortium member of two EU projects highlighted on World Asthma Day

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:53:25 +0200

The European Lung Foundation (ELF) highlighted two key EU-projects concerned with improving the lives of people with asthma on the occasion of World Asthma Day on 7 May. ELF is a consortium member of both projects.

The first project, UBIOPRED (Unbiased BIOmarkers in PREDiction of respiratory disease outcomes) is an EU research project to better understand the different types of severe asthma with the hope that this understanding will consider individual characteristics and make it easier to develop new medicines. This project involves scientists from universities, research institutes, the pharmaceutical industry and small companies.

The second EU research project, AirPROM (Airway Disease Predicting Outcomes through Patient Specific Computational Modelling) aims to bridge the gaps in our clinical management of airways disease, by providing validated models that predict disease progression and response to treatment. The project involves professionals and patients that will ´develop´ and ´use´ the technologies emerging from this project. The result could revolutionise the effectiveness of the treatment patients receive through personalising that treatment.

EPHA: Brave New World: Inclusive Growth and Well-Being or Vested Interests and Lost Generations?

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:09:00 +0200

On 4 and 5 September the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) will celebrate 20 years of helping to shape Europe's public health with its conference Brave New World: Inclusive Growth and Well-Being or Vested Interests and Lost Generations? EPHA is using this milestone as an opportunity to look at how we can foster an EU that is coherent in its decisions, in terms of fostering the health and well-being of people living in Europe.

The conference will take place with high profile keynote speakers including Tonio Borg, Commissioner for Health and Consumers, Paola Testori Coggi, DG SANCO Director General, Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe and Yves Leterme, OECD Deputy Secretary General.

Topics to be discussed include putting people, public health and well-being at the heart of EU policy making; the impact of austerity in public health systems and how to address this; the importance of increasing the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare systems through enhance innovation and research; the economic weight of the health sector for job creation and growth; and the role of good governance to improve national health systems.

The event will also serve to present EPHA's new Think Tank and the organisation's Manifesto on the European Parliament elections. For more information, visit the event's save the date.

WECF: Successful high level conference on integrating chemical safety in Belgrade

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:05:29 +0200

In April, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) organised a successful high-level conference on integrating chemical safety in Belgrade, Serbia.

The beacon event opened by Mrs. Leposava Sojic, Assistant Minister of Energy Development and Environmental protection of Serbia, Borka Jeremic, representing the UN Country Team in Serbia and Sascha Gabizon, Executive Director of WECF International, set standards for the post 2014 development agenda of the Balkan countries.

The Conference entitled “Chemical and product safety in the Western Balkans” addressed shared lessons learnt from a two year EU-funded project on the issue. Preliminary results of the national consultations on possible priorities for a post-2015 development agenda were presented along with recommendations.

Here you can watch a video about WECF's work in the Balkans

Chemicals in children's food

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:53:12 +0200

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of exposure to chemicals because they are at the most sensitive stages of human development.

Parents, carers and health professionals are rightly worried about the problems in infant and young child feeding in a contaminated world.

HEAL welcomes IBFAN's new 2013 Statement on Infant and Young Child Feeding and Chemical Residues which provides objective and independent information on the risks and dangers of this form of environmental pollution.

IBFAN' highlights some key messages including the importance of breast feeding which brings many irreplaceable positive health effects for mother and child, economic advantages for families, communities, societies and health systems, and advantages for the environment.

Except in cases of industrial disasters and of exceedingly high levels of dangerous residues after industrial disasters, IBFAN fully supports the recommendation to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, even when there is evidence of the presence of chemical residues in breast milk as the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh any possible harm.

In the statement, IBFAN urgently calls upon decision makers in industry and politics to adopt environmentally-friendly initiatives in production and waste-disposal, to promote awareness of ecological dangers, and to create the appropriate legal framework to prevent the harmful contamination of our environment and to protect the health of our children, both present and future generations.

Read the full statement here

Global ban of flame retardant HBCD

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:50:47 +0200

HEAL welcomes the decision to phase out HBCD and prohibit the recycling of products containing it, which could otherwise cause serious damage to public health. HBCD now joins two other such compounds on the convention's list, although there is still a five year exemption for the use of HBCD in expanded and extruded polystyrene.

According to the convention's description of HBCD, this flame retardant is made in the USA, Europe, and Asia. In 2001, about half of the 16,500 tons on the market was used in Europe. In Europe it is used in building insulation, where polystyrene insulation constitutes approximately 30% of the use. By 2003, global demand had risen to nearly 22,000 tons. The half life of the chemical is approximately 50 years.

HBCD is now on the list of pollutants countries must work to eliminate. For the EU, it had already been identified it as a substance of very high concern in REACH with a scheduled phase out by 2015. This Stockholm Convention ban is a good step forward and will help prevent further new uses being found for it.

However some environment groups were disappointed that the chemical was granted a 5 year exception for polystyrene insulation in buildings, albeit with new labelling requirements to ensure the chemical is clearly identifiable in whatever products contain it. Companies that make HBCD for this insulation must also notify the convention of their use.

Global call to take action on chemicals in consumer products and pesticides

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:48:11 +0200

A group of influential scientists from the Endocrine Society have called on the United Nations, the World Health Organisation and other global players to take action to prevent harm from endocrine disrupting chemicals in consumer products and pesticides. These chemicals likely play a role in increased incidences of reproductive diseases, cancer, obesity, and type-2 diabetes worldwide.

The joint letter by scientists, who include authors of a recent WHO/ UNEP report on EDCs, and the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), is part of a growing call to politicians and regulators to identify and control these harmful chemicals that can damage the hormonal systems in humans and wildlife.

Exposure to EDCs during foetal development and puberty is considered to play a role in the increased incidences of reproductive disease, cancers, asthma, behavioural and learning problems such as ADHD and others. EDCs are in many products used by consumers in daily life, and tests show the presence of dozens of chemicals with hormone disrupting properties in people, including children.

In the letter to UNEP, WHO, OECD and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), scientists from the Endocrine Society and the IPEN network urge global action and recommended a number of scientific elements to guide future efforts on EDCs. In the September 2012 meeting of SAICM, more than 100 governments reached consensus agreement that action is needed, but no work plans have yet been made.

HEAL is a participating organisation of IPEN and HEAL Executive Director serves on the IPEN Steering Committee.

Useful documents

WHO UNEP 2012 State of the Science Report

The Impact of Endocrine Disruption: A Consensus Statement on the State of the Science

Global action needed on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) - Letter from IPEN and The Endocrine Society

Scientists urge UN to take action on chemicals in consumer products and pesticides - Press release

Road traffic noise increases risk of diabetes

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:11:10 +0200

Noise from cars, buses, lorries, from airplanes and industrial processes is an important risk factor for our health. The World Health Organisation recently concluded that this environmental noise is the second biggest health threat after air pollution; and a large number of Europeans are living in noisy surroundings that can permanently damage their health. In addition, quieter surroundings can tremendously improve the quality of life in a city.

Previous research has shown that for every 10 decibels higher exposure to traffic noise in residential neighbourhoods, the risk of a heart attack increases by 12 percent. In a new Danish study, partly conducted under the EU QUIET1 project, researchers investigated if noise exposure was related to the risk of developing diabetes.

Over 50,000 residents of Copenhagen and Aarhus, aged between 50 and 64, were signed up to the study, which ran until 2006. Researchers recorded the address of each individual since 1988 and combined it with spatial information on noise for example, the average number of vehicles, their speed, and type of road and height of surrounding buildings. This was recorded in order to assess how much noise each person was exposed to. Then, instances of diabetes diagnoses for the participating residents were taken.

Researchers were careful to rule out other aspects that could increase the risk of diabetes such as diet and smoking. Overall, 3,869 individuals were diagnosed with diabetes during the study. The results demonstrated that an increase in average noise exposure of 10 decibels was associated with a significantly higher risk of diabetes. One explanation for this increase is that the body produces more stress hormones because of noise, which then leads to reduced insulin production.

HEAL participates at the 18th International Conference on Environmental Health in Children

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:09:03 +0200

HEALer Julia Huscher participated at this conference in Poland to provide an overview on the effects of emissions from coal power plants on children's health.

HEAL was kindly invited to speak at the conference organised by the Foundation for Children from Copper Basin, Poland.

The conference took place in the Polish region of Legnica and focused on the themes of toxic metals, allergy and asthma, air hygiene, environmental risks due to biological, chemical, climate and social factors. Around 50 scientists, health experts and health affected groups from Poland, Lithuania, Belorussia, Russia and Ukraine attended the conference.

Julia Huscher, HEAL's Coal and Health officer, contributed to discussions by focusing on the results of HEAL's latest report The Unpaid Health Bill: How coal power plants make us sick which provides the first ever calculation of the effects of coal-fired power plants on chronic lung disease and some heart conditions in Europe. Coal power plants emit both a large amount of hazardous pollutants which contribute to air pollution and a large amount of mercury, which is a pollutant known to damage children's brain and nervous system.

The report has been launched at EU level and also at national level in Germany and Poland which made it a significant talking point at the conference.

More information on The Unpaid Health Bill available here in English, Polish and German

EEA report outlines environmental risks for people's health

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:57:15 +0200

According to the joint report by the EEA and EU Commission's Joint Research Centre, Europeans are living longer and healthier lives than in the past, partly due to successful environmental policies that have reduced the exposure to harmful environmental contaminants in air, water and food.

However, the report also highlights that these contaminants are still a problem, and new risks are emerging such as from new chemicals, products and changing lifestyle patterns. Pollutants, noise and other forms of environmental degradation are shown to be harmful to health. The report aims to provide an overview of the most pertinent environment and health issues, and to provide policy considerations. It showcases how exposure to air pollution, noise, poor quality water, chemicals, radiation, biological agents, and otherwise degraded environments are important components of non-communicable, chronic diseases.

A ‘health gap' remains in Europe and there is a large difference in the environmental conditions for citizens. For example, people with a low social status often live in more degraded and harmful environments which have a potential negative effect on health. The environmental condition may be further influenced by factors including socio-economic status, life style habits and their state of health.

There are significant differences in access to green spaces in Europe. For example, all cities in Sweden and Finland have more than 40 % of green space within their boundaries, whereas cities in countries such as Hungary and Greece have less than 30 % of green space.

Key findings include an increase in sales of chemicals which include substances affecting our health such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The report points out the contribution of air pollution to cancer, heart disease and asthma and estimates that air pollution reduces the life expectancy of each EU citizen by an average of 8.5 months. Pharmaceutical residues and endocrine-disrupting substances found in water are another health and environmental problem as well as noise which can seriously harm our health.

Devices emitting electo-magnetic fields (EMF) such as mobile phones are sometimes considered a possible cancer risk and nanotechnology applications could be seen as an emerging risk as little is known about the effects of nanomaterials in the human body.

EEA's new assessment is a key publication as it shows (once again) how environment and health is not just ‘an aspect ‘of environmental policy, it is at the heart of it.

To access the report click here

Jaki wpływ na nasze zdrowie mają elektrownie węglowe?

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:35:22 +0200

3 czerwca 2013 roku opublikowana została polska wersja nowego raportu Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL). Raport prezentuje dowody naukowe na temat wpływu skażenia powietrza na zdrowie, i udziału w nim emisji pochodzących z elektrowni węglowych. Zawiera także pierwszą ekonomiczną ocenę kosztów zdrowotnych związanych z zanieczyszczeniem powietrza przez elektrownie węglowe w Europie oraz wyjaśnienia autorytetów w dziedzinie ochrony zdrowia, ekspertów sektora medycznego i decydentów dotyczące ich obaw związanych z wpływem węgla.

Raport przedstawia też rekomendacje dla władz i sektora zdrowia na temat sposobów zaradzenia problemowi “niezapłaconego rachunku za zdrowie” oraz uwzględnienia go w przyszłych decyzjach dotyczących energetyki.

Polska pełna wersja raportu do pobrania tutaj
Polska pełna wersja raportu do pobrania tutaj
Polskie streszczenie raportu do pobrania tutaj- EN language version of PR here

Prof. Jean-Paul Sculier, Sekretarz ds. Europejskich, European Respiratory Society:

„Dzięki minimalizacji zanieczyszczeń emitowanych do powietrza przez elektrownie węglowe możliwe będzie zaoszczędzenie znacznych środków wydawanych na opiekę zdrowotną, szczególnie że średni okres życia elektrowni węglowej wynosi 40 lat. Rok 2013 to Europejski Rok Powietrza. W jego trakcie zostanie dokonany przegląd unijnej polityki jakości powietrza – zatem jest to idealny czas na podjęcie adekwatnych działań”.

Birgit Beger, Sekretarz Generalny, Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME):

„Lekarze w Europie zdają sobie sprawę, że zanieczyszczone powietrze stanowi znaczny czynnik ryzyka dla zdrowia ludzkiego. CPME od wielu już lat analizuje powyższe zagadnienie. Specjaliści ochrony zdrowia prowadzą badania w celu pozyskania nowych danych oraz w celu zwiększenia poziomu poinformowania społeczeństwa i decydentów. Naszym celem jest zmiana strategii odnoszących się do ochrony powietrza”.

EU air quality measures: what should we aim for?

Fri, 31 May 2013 11:54:24 +0200

Health and environmental groups warn that the proposals on future EU air policies scheduled for this autumn could fail to achieve the emission reductions needed to tackle air pollution.

Their joint paper submitted jointly by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Transport & Environment (T&E), the Air Pollution & Climate Secretariat (AirClim), the Health and Environmental Alliance (HEAL) and ClientEarth, to the EU Commission underlines that the scientific evidence on health effects calls for the highest level of ambition.

Download the paper here

NGO comments to EU Commission on review of EU air policies

Fri, 31 May 2013 11:46:33 +0200

HEAL responds to Berlaymont Declaration on endocrine disruptors

Mon, 27 May 2013 14:58:31 +0200

PRESS STATEMENT

HEAL responds to Berlaymont Declaration on endocrine disruptors

Brussels, 24 May 2013 – A group of the world's leading scientific experts on endocrine disrupting chemicals have made the strongest ever call for regulatory action on endocrine disrupting chemicals with the launch of the Berlaymont Declaration. (1)

The Declaration makes an urgent plea to the European Commission “to implement regulatory measures that are in line with the best available science”. It says that “scientific uncertainty should not delay regulatory action and commercial interests must not take precedent over concerns about risks associated with endocrine disruptors”.

The signatories to “The 2013 Berlaymont Declaration on Endocrine Disrupters” point to alarming signs of a growing public health burden in Europe. They say that: “the prevalence of endocrine-related diseases is higher than it has ever been and that this disease burden continues to increase in the EU and globally.”

The scientists express their concern that: Breast cancer is rising rapidly in Eastern and Southern European EU countries and that in Western Europe although the increases are slower or leveling off, the rates are much higher than 30 years ago; Large proportions of young men have semen quality that is so poor that it will seriously affect their changes of siring children; and obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome have increased dramatically in almost all EU member states.

Lisette van Vliet, Senior Policy Adviser, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) said:

“The Declaration is the latest and perhaps most pointed expression that scientific experts have made for urgent and comprehensive regulatory action. It is explicit about the need for a regulatory regime that classifies endocrine disruptors in a scientifically sound manner. It is also categorical about the need to update the testing requirements of various laws, without which it says our ED regulation will fail. How much louder and clearer do our top scientists have to be before the EU acts to protect public health? We hope the EU Commissioners fully take these points on board in their upcoming decisions on the EU Strategy for endocrine disruptors and on Criteria to identify them, as well as in the review of how the REACH law treats endocrine disruptors.”

Contact

Lisette van Vliet, Senior Policy Adviser, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), Tel: +32 2 234 36 45. Mob: +32 484 614 528, Email: lisette@env-health.org

Notes

1. The 2013 Berlaymont Declaration on Endocrine, officially launched on 24 May 2013 is signed in a personal capacity by 89 scientists, including Prof Ake Bergman, Stockholm University; Prof Susan Jobling, Brunel University, UK; Prof Karen A Kidd, University of New Brunswick, Canada; Prof Andreas Kortenkamp, Brunel University, UK; Prof Niels E Skakkebaek, University Dept of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Prof Jorma Toppari, University of Turku, Finland; and, Prof R Thomas Zoeller, University of Massachusetts, USA.

The 2013 Berlaymont Declaration on Endocrine Disrupters signatories

Health risks from climate change highlighted in joint letter to the WHO

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:39:00 +0200

14 May 2013

To: Dr Margaret Chan Director-General, World Health Organisation

Dear Dr Chan,

As health organisations representing health and health-promotion professionals and health care institutions from around the world, we are writing to you to highlight the urgent concerns of the health and medical professionals and health care workers in relation to the health risks from climate change.

Specifically we would like to alert you to the DOHA Declaration on Climate, Health and Wellbeing, developed during COP 18, the 2012 UNFCCC global climate change negotiations, and signed by over 80 health and medical organisations from 19 countries along with over 1000 individuals.

This Declaration expressed the desire of health and medical organisations around the world for the protection and promotion of health to be made one of the central priorities of global and national policy responses to climate change, and their willingness to engage to make this happen.

The Declaration and its list of signatories (attached) called for:

The health impacts of climate change to be taken into account domestically and globally

Investment in climate mitigation and adaptation to be significantly increased on a rapid timescale

The health sector and the community to be engaged and informed on climate action

It also states:

“Human health is profoundly threatened by our global failure to halt emissions growth and curb climate change. As representatives of health communities around the world, we argue that strategies to achieve rapid and sustained emissions reductions and protect health must be implemented in a time frame to avert further loss and damage.

We recognise that this will require exceptional courage and leadership from our political, business and civil society leaders, including the health sector; acceptance from the global community about the threats to health posed by our current path; and a willingness to act to realise the many benefits of creating low carbon, healthy, sustainable and resilient societies.”

We urge you to raise this issue as a matter of the highest priority in the World Health Organization, and to work with the signatories to this letter to help ensure the health implications of climate change and the opportunities to improve health through emissions reductions are understood and realised by effective action in all WHO member states. For example, the co-benefits of tackling both non-communicable diseases (a major focus of the World Health Assembly this month) and climate change are increasingly well known, and benefit both people and planet.

Given the urgency of the situation, we would be very grateful if you could share the Doha Declaration with other members of the Executive Board during your meeting on May 29-30 as an important contribution from the health sector.

We would be pleased to discuss how we can work closer with WHO global and regional offices and national health ministries to protect and promote global health through climate action.

Yours sincerely,

Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA)
C3 Collaborating for Health
Climate and Health Council (CHC) FHI 360
Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
Healthcare Without Harm (HCWH)
International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA)

Contact for correspondence: Fiona Armstrong, Convenor, Climate and Health Alliance, convenor@caha.org.au

Health risks from climate change highlighted in joint letter to the WHO

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:12:33 +0200

HEAL Newsflash - May 2013

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:15:05 +0200

HEAL welcomes MEP vote for better health protection in the 7th EAP

HEAL welcomes the prominence given to improving health in the 7th EU Environment Action Programme including a focus to reduce asthma and allergies related to indoor air pollutants and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals such as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Read more…

European Environment and Health Ministers agree to accelerate Europe's work to minimise environmental health hazards

The fourth meeting of the European Environment and Health Ministerial Board in Belgrade concluded that urgent action is needed in Europe to tackle environmental health hazards including air pollution, asbestos, mercury, unsafe water and poor sanitation. Read more…

Late Lessons from Early Warnings: A Retrospective Look At Learning about Precaution

HEAL was pleased to co-host the first in a series of Partnership Calls by the US Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) focusing on recent EEA findings on Late Lessons from Early Warnings. Discussions started with how to learn from historical cases of environment and health disasters, followed by addressed case studies on hazardous chemicals. Read more…

Winner of HEAL´s health and environment film prize recognised at international film festivals

Ed Brown's documentary film ‘Unacceptable Levels' has been accepted into 17 international film festivals thanks to the success of winning the first ever film prize on health and environment at the 30th International Environmental Film Festival earlier this year. Read more…

The future of EU EDCs policy

20 environmental, occupation/workers and health organisations from across Europe urge EU Commission President Barroso and the EU Commission to put the EU on the path for significantly reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors. In a joint letter, the groups outline why comprehensive criteria, a far-sighted strategy and reviewing EDCs in REACH are needed to tackle the global EDCs threat. Read more...

Why human biomonitoring is important for public health and policy-makers

Support from EU decision-makers for human biomonitoring is growing. Measuring contaminants in our bodies can help politicians to fine tune or even launch new policies, allowing them to identify priorities and provide an early warning on potential threats to public health. Read more...

Leading scientist on EDCs speaks on “winning back” public health

Andreas Kortenkamp, author of two major reports on endocrine disruptors for the EU Commission, gave a lecture in Paris on tackling EDCs to win back public health. The meeting was organised by HEAL member Réseau Environnement Santé (RES). Read more...

The Unpaid Health Bill launched in Germany

Coal power plants in Germany are associated with health costs of more than 6 billion EUR per year. This is one of the findings on how coal pollution contributes to ill-health and death from the recent HEAL report “The Unpaid health bill”. The German version has now been launched with a press conference in Berlin. Read more…

Changing your behaviour can help reduce climate emissions

A new report put together by the EU Commission highlights the potential of behavioural change for tackling climate change. A healthier diet and replacing fossil fuel cars with more sustainable modes of transport can make significant contributions to reducing emissions. Read more…

Study estimates health impact of coal-fired power plants in India

A recent study shows that emissions from coal-fired power stations in India have a worrisome effect on ill-health and death. Two thirds of India's electricity is produced by coal based power plants. Read more…

Health benefits from cleaner air

HEAL sent a letter to EU Environment Ministers ahead of the Informal Environment Council, urging them to consider the significant benefits for public health, well-being, and for the climate, that can be gained through ambitious EU measures to reduce air pollution. Read more...

Stakeholders back tighter air pollution controls

A summary of responses to the EU consultation on air quality policy was recently presented in Brussels. The answers show that the majority wants stronger emission reductions for cleaner air in Europe. Read more…

Fish consumption: which mercury intake is tolerable?

As the EU Food Safety Authority is currently reviewing the acceptable tolerable weekly intake for methyl mercury from fish, HEAL, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and the Zero Mercury Working Group have drawn attention to two reports on new scientific evidence on health effects. Groups call for a full revision of EFSA's scientific opinion with a stakeholder consultation. Read more…

Mercury exposure linked to diabetes risk

A new study warns that young adults who have higher levels of mercury in their systems may face a 65 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Read more…

Members' news

EPHA - A call to action: Health, civil society and the reform of economic governance

Vivosano - International Noise Awareness Day

INCHES - 7th International Conference on Children's Health and the Environment

European Child Safety Alliance - Children and Household Chemicals

RES - The role of EDCs in the rise of chronic diseases

Générations Futures - French government ‘ignoring advice on pesticides'

Vivosano - Voting recommendations on 7th EU EAP sent to Spanish MEPs

WECF - Strengthen chemical and product safety in the Western Balkans

ELF - New research on effects of ozone on the fatty lining of the lungs

EPHA - Briefing on health in Europe 2020

EFA - Call for support for Allergology education on World Asthma Day

Action for Breast Cancer Foundation - Malta Airport ALIVE 2013 Cycling Challenge for Cancer

Publications

NGOs Position Paper on the EC proposal for a Medical Device Regulation COM (212) 542

HEAL position paper on the 7th EU Environment Action Programme

Joint letter to EFSA on mercury in fish

Letter to EU Environment Ministers: your exchange on air quality and urban environment

HEAL & CHEM Trust's view on the report of the ED Expert Advisory Group

Events

May

15 – Brussels, Belgium: EPHECT Stakeholders meeting on chemicals in consumer products and indoor air quality - Registration closes on 14 May. Register and download the full programme here

16 - Brussels, Belgium: EP event - Can EU citizens afford their medicines? The economic crisis and access to medicines in Europe - More information and register here

June

4-7 – Brussels, Belgium: EU Green Week: Cleaner air for all - More information here

5 – HEAL at Green Week: Session 3.4 and Session 5.1.

5 World Environment Day - More information here

24 – 25 - Brussels, Belgium: European Citizen's Summit - First ever citizen's summit. Express your interest here before 14 May

August

20-23 – Basel, Switzerland: ISES-ISEE-ISIAQ 2013: Environment and Health – Bridging North, South, East and West - More information here

November

22 – Jerusalem, Israel: 7th International Conference on Children's Health and the Environment - More information here

Take action

Public consultation on the Green Paper ´A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies
The Green Paper published on 27 March by the EC launches a public consultation - Deadline 2 July 2013

Rights to water campaign: Water and sanitation are a human right!
More information and to sign the petition here

European Citizen´s Initiative "30km/h – making streets liveable!"
European citizens are calling on the EU to introduce 30km/h as the standard speed limits for villages, towns and cities. More information here.

Media coverage

Health and Environment

Unacceptable Levels Documentary video on demand release set for July 15
Wall Street Journal, 2 May 2013

Scientific Evidence of Health Effects from Coal Use in Energy Generation
HCWH & University of Illinois at Chicago report, April 2013

Coal

Gesundheitsschäden durch Kohlekraftwerke: Neue Studie befeuert Debatte
Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 24 April 2013 ‎

Schadstoffstudie: Kohlekraft verursacht Tausende Todesfälle pro Jahr
Spiegel Online, 24 April 2013

Studie: Kohlekraftwerke ruinieren die Gesundheit
Die Welt, 25 April 2013

Climate change

A vote in favour of the climate
European Voice, 11 April 2013

Mercury

Call a greater reduction in the limit of methylmercury in fish
Agris Online, 7 May 2013

HEAL tweets

HEAL welcomes the prominence given to improving #health in Europe in the 7th EU EAP http://bit.ly/11TaqPH
#CHEcall featuring David Gee and Lisette van Vliet from @HealthandEnv on precaution
Road #traffic #noise increases risk of #diabetes http://bit.ly/10TkkmK

EFA: Call for support for Allergology education on World Asthma Day

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:24:57 +0200

On the occasion of the World Asthma Day on 7 May, the European Federation of Allergy & Airways Diseases Patients' Association (EFA), the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the UEMS Section of Surgery & European Boards of Surgery and Allergic Rhinitis and its impacts on Asthma (ARIA) handed over an alert paper to the European Commission and the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament requesting EU support in the development of Allergology education.

EPHA: Briefing on health in Europe 2020

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:22:51 +0200

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) has developed a briefing on health in Europe 2020 which highlights the importance of the health sector in reaching the Europe 2020 goals.

The briefing examines the health impacts of EU economic governance, the changes to healthcare systems and recommendations from civil society and the European Parliament on health in the annual growth survey.

EPHA highlights the health related recommendations from several NGOs, including the European Women's Lobby (EWL), as well as the health benefits of the EU reaching the Europe 2020 targets of CO2 reductions.

ELF: New research on effects of ozone on the fatty lining of the lungs

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:21:30 +0200

A recent study published in the journal Langmuir discovered that ozone causes severe lung problems by attacking fat molecules in the lung which line its surface. These molecules are vital in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide as they prevent the wet surfaces of the lung from collapsing.

Ozone, which is mostly produced in the upper atmosphere, but also can form at ground level as a result of burning fossil fuels, is known to harm lung systems and is linked to asthma and bronchitis.

Researchers in London used a model of the lung's surface to explore the effects of ozone. They used a level of ozone similar to what you might find in a polluted city in the summer. By monitoring different parts of the fat molecule separately, they collected detailed information about the structure of the lung surface.

Researchers then adapted the model to represent the lung of people with different forms of chronic lung disease to try to understand why ozone seems to affect them worse than others.

The findings show that ozone exposure on our lungs would certainly damage the ability of them to process oxygen and carbon dioxide, and could account for the respiratory problems associated with ozone poisoning.

WECF: Strengthen chemical and product safety in the Western Balkans

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:19:58 +0200

On 11 April, over 60 representatives of government, public agencies, civil society, and private sector met in Belgrade for the conference “Chemical and product safety in the Western Balkans - a priority area for the post 2015 agenda?” The conference was organised jointly by Women in Europe for a Common Future International (WECF) and UN team Serbia, together with NGOs from the Western Balkans.

Executive Director of WECF International Sascha Gabizon highlighted that the conference aimed to share key evaluation results and best practices from the 2-year EU-funded project on “Chemicals Safety and Product Safety in the Western Balkan – civil society cooperation on EU acquis and values for consumer protection and corporate responsibility“.

This project includes civil society organisations from Albania, FYR Macedonia and Serbia jointly with partners from Germany, France, Netherlands and Estonia who have been campaigning for stronger chemicals safety of products, particularly to protect children's health.

The project also achieved to build capacity on the EU regulation regarding chemicals safety and promote incentives for Corporate Social Responsibility regarding chemical safety of products.

Vivosano: Voting recommendations on 7th EAP sent to Spanish MEPs

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:18:26 +0200

On 22 April Vivosano, Ecologistas en Accion, Greenpeace, UGT, CCOO and Asquifyde y Fodesam sent a joint letter to Spanish MEPs of the Environment Committee with their voting recommendations on amendments to the 7th EU Environment Action Programme (EAP).

The seven organisations called for the protection of European citizens from chemicals such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Pregnant women, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable groups to these substances and should be protected against them.