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Monthly Archives: November 2024

First patient in Poland officially diagnosed with illness caused by smog: a year in review

While the health impacts of air pollution are well-documented in scientific studies, this factor has not been recognized in Polish medical diagnoses as a primary cause of health issues until a breakthrough case last year. As highlighted by HEAL in Poland in May 2023, an eleven-year-old boy, Maciek (name changed), suffered for most of his life from a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and frequent infections, all of which worsened during the heating season. After a prolonged struggle by Maciek’s parents to find the true cause of his health issues, a conclusive opinion was finally issued, stating: “suspected bronchial hyperreactivity/allergy due to air pollution.” 

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HEAL response to public consultation on NEC Directive evaluation 

HEAL has given input to a consultation assessing the EU NEC Directive, a key instrument in the EU clean air framework, which requires member states to cut emissions of five key air pollutants. In our response, we urge for a stepping up of EU member states implementing the law, for greater coherence in the EU's policy framework, and for strengthening health prevention efforts. Now is the time to set the EU on the path for ambitions emission reductions after 2030.   

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Polish health experts call for a coal phase out, as smog season starts

Every year, air pollution in Poland reaches its highest levels during the smog season in winter. In view of the unacceptably high health burden and health costs from poor air quality, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and health experts urge the Polish government to increase efforts to reduce pollution in the energy sector. This includes setting a swift date for phasing out coal combustion in Poland, as well as accelerating the Just Transition in the energy sector.  

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Joint letter to ministers of health on shaping a comprehensive global plastics treaty

Leading up to the fifth and final round of negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty that will take place 25 November - 1 December 2024, in Busan, South Korea, HEAL together with Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe wrote to all European health ministers highlighting the urgent need to address the severe health and environmental impacts of plastics, including in the healthcare sector. 

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HEAL webinar series on the health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

To raise awareness of the impacts of PFAS on human health, HEAL is organising a series of three webinars in October 2024, each focusing on a different health impact of PFAS. The first webinar on 10 October focuses on impacts on the immune system. The subsequent webinars will focus on cancer and the impacts of exposure in early life and pregnancy.

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HEAL assessment of the trio hearings of Vice-President-designate Ribera, Vice-President-designate Séjourné and Commissioner-designate Hoekstra

Over the past days, MEPs held confirmation hearings with Vice-President-designate Ribera, Vice-President-designate Séjourné and Commissioner-designate Hoekstra, whose complementary and mutually enabling portfolios respectively focus on “Clean, Just and Competitive Transition”, “Prosperity and Industrial Strategy” and “Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth”.  HEAL was encouraged to see strong coherence among the three designates on their shared commitment to protecting health against this triple crisis.  

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Advocating for a European future free of endocrine-disrupting chemicals

HEAL, alongside the EDC-Free Europe coalition, is asking future EU leaders to protect health and the environment from the health-harming endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The recently published EDC-Free Europe statement ‘7 priorities to protect people and environment from harm caused by endocrine-disrupting chemicals outlines crucial steps that policymakers must take to protect public health and the environment from these harmful substances.

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