New study on widely used plastic products confirms toxicity of chemical content– Health groups call on new European Commission to make addressing chemical pollution a priority
The most comprehensive scientific study on the toxicity of chemicals present in plastic products to date, “Benchmarking the in Vitro Toxicity and Chemical Composition of Plastic Consumer Products”, was released today in Environmental Science and Technology.
Proposed European restriction on tattoo inks and permanent make-up: HEAL and EEB’s final assessment
For millions of Europeans, a tattoo can be a means of self-expression. It may also, however, represent a direct source of exposure to a complex cocktail of chemicals. support the proposal for an EU-wide restriction on tattoo inks, building on existing national legislation and based on the highest standards of protection of human health.
Why the European Parliament should reject the Commission proposed “One in, one out” principle
The Green 10 is firmly against the introduction of a “One in, one out” principle for new legislation, as planned by European Commission President-Elect Ursula von der Leyen. The proposed principle calls for any new initiative that creates a burden to be compensated by relieving an equivalent existing burden in the same policy area.
Particulate air pollution found in and around classrooms in Sofia underlines urgency to act for clean air
Brussels/Sofia, 17 September 2019 - The quality of air inside and outside primary schools in Europe is failing to protect children’s health and ensure optimal learning, shows a new Health…
Berlin citizen science monitoring shows outdoor air pollution travels indoors to classrooms
Brussels/Berlin, 16 September 2019 - Traffic pollution urgently has to be further tackled in Berlin shows a new report entitled “Healthy Air, Healthier Children” by the Health & Environment Alliance…
10 ways to protect our health and the environment
Preventing environmental pollution can save lives. There is clear scientific evidence on how environmental, chemical and air pollution as well as climate change threaten and impact our health. Europe has a real opportunity to protect and improve Europeans’ health and prevent major chronic health epidemics - here are ten ways how.
European civil society groups raise questions about industry-funded study on E171 toxicity and call on decision-makers to support the French ban on unnecessary food additive
A crucial European meeting to discuss the French ban of E171 - the food additive version of titanium dioxide - is due to take place on Monday 16th September. Civil society groups across Europe raise questions about a new industry study released ahead of this meeting and warn against diverting decision-makers’ attention from the already existing evidence of the potential health threats posed by E171.
La déclaration de l’EFSA reconnaissant les effets nocifs du chlorpyrifos sur la santé humaine ajoute à l’urgence d’une interdiction totale
La semaine dernière, l'Agence européenne de sécurité alimentaire (EFSA) a reconnu dans une déclaration publique que le chlorpyrifos est nocif pour la santé humaine et ne remplit pas les critères de renouvellement sur le marché européen[1]. Une coalition d'ONG rassemblant certaines organisations comme Health And Environment Alliance (HEAL), SumOfUs, Pesticides Action Network (PAN) Europe et PAN Allemagne et Générations Futures, salue cette déclaration, qui est un premier pas vers l'interdiction du chlorpyrifos dans les plus brefs délais.
EFSA’s statement acknowledging chlorpyrifos harm for human health adds urgency for a full ban
Last week, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) acknowledged in a public statement that chlorpyrifos is harmful to human health and does not meet the criteria for renewal on the European market [1]. A coalition of NGOs including HEAL, SumOfUs, PAN Europe, PAN Germany and Générations Futures welcomes this statement, which is a first step in order to get chlorpyrifos banned as soon as possible.
Will EU ministers support the ban of the pesticide chlorpyrifos?
The governments of the 28 Member States of the European Union are in the process of deciding on the future of a health-harming pesticide: chlorpyrifos. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), together with other civil society organisations, has written directly to all environment, health and agriculture ministers to express their concerns about the toxicity of this substance.
Organic diet during pregnancy means significant reduction of pesticide exposure, new study shows
The results of the first ever long-term organic diet intervention study among pregnant women were published in Environment International. Researchers found that pregnant women’s exposure to pyrethroid insecticides was significantly reduced by adding organic fruit and vegetables to their conventional diets during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
HEAL’s environmental health priorities for next EU Commission President
Ahead of a major vote in the European Parliament on the future European Commission President, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) sent its priorities to the candidate for President of the European Commission designated by the Council, the German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.