Health and Environment Alliance

Revealed: EU Glyphosate assessment was based on flawed science

3rd July 2021

A new scientific analysis concludes that the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) claim that glyphosate is not genotoxic cannot be justified on the basis of manufacturers’ studies. Of the 53 industry-funded studies used for the EU’s current authorization of glyphosate, 34 were identified as "not reliable", 17 as "partly reliable" and only 2 studies as "reliable" from a methodological point of view.

Letter: Gouvernance et moyens de la Stratégie Nationale sur les Perturbateurs Endocriniens (SNPE)

25th June 2021

À l’occasion de la réunion du Groupe Santé Environnement (GSE) le 30 juin 2021, un collectif d’associations citoyennes, professionnelles et d’usagers, de syndicats et de collectifs, demande aux Ministres des…

Ominous first step in EU renewal process of glyphosate: 4 member states suggest no risk for human health – HEAL comment

15th June 2021

Today four EU member states (France, Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden) released a statement proposing that glyphosate does not pose risks for human health. HEAL is concerned at such a conclusion, which is in contradiction to the scientific evidence of the association between exposure to the popular pesticide and the development of cancer.

How PFAS chemicals affect women, pregnancy and human development: Health actors call for urgent action to phase them out

25th May 2021

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) have published a fact sheet and infographic to call for immediate action against “forever chemicals”, to protect reproductive health, fertility and human development.

‘Forever chemicals’ widespread in disposable food packaging from popular fast-food chains across Europe, new study shows

20th May 2021

The use of persistent and health-harming PFAS chemicals in disposable food packaging and tableware is a widespread practice across Europe, as shown in a study by Czech NGO Arnika, HEAL, CHEM Trust and six other non-profit organisations in Europe.

New report on children’s health impacts from transport pollution in Poland

14th May 2021

Air pollution is the greatest health threat in Poland, with 50,000 premature deaths annually and a range of health effects including hospitalisations and rise in asthma cases in children. Polish…

HEAL reaction to the European Commission’s Zero Pollution Action Plan

12th May 2021

Today, the Commission published its Zero Pollution Action Plan for air, water and soils (ZPAP). Anne Stauffer, Director for Strategy and Campaigns at HEAL commented: “The European Commission today has…

Bundesregierung blockiert Umwelt- und Gesundheitsschutz bei der Umsetzung von EU-Schadstoffgrenzwerten für Kohlekraftwerke

7th May 2021

• Entwurf der Bundesregierung setzt Grenzwerte für Ausstoß von Schadstoffen von Kohlekraftwerken (unter anderem für Quecksilber, Stickstoff, Schwefeloxide, Feinstaub) zu hoch an und ist damit absolut unzureichend, um Menschen und…

Bengaluru Schoolchildren Breathing Polluted Air: Report

22nd April 2021

Up to two million schoolchildren (20 lakhs) in Bengaluru, India are potentially exposed to dangerous air pollution during their school day, risking asthma, allergic rhinitis and other chronic health impacts, according to a report released today by Healthy Air Coalition, Bengaluru.

HEAL’s reaction to the European Parliament’s vote on the López report on the implementation of the Ambient Air Quality Directives (AAQD)

25th March 2021

"With today’s report on air quality, Parliamentarians show they are ready to act on the urgent call from people across Europe and the scientific community. The next step is for…

A lire – « Les Plastiqueurs – Enquête sur ces industriels qui nous intoxiquent »

17th March 2021

Une enquête détaillée sur les multiples et complexes intérêts derrière l’omniprésence des plastiques dans le monde contemporain est publiée ce jour sous la forme d’un livre intitulé « Les Plastiqueurs – Enquête sur ces industriels qui nous intoxiquent » aux Editions Calmann-Lévy.

Book review: “Count Down – How our modern world is threatening sperm counts, altering male and female reproductive health, and imperiling the future of the human race” by Dr. Shanna Swan

23rd February 2021

New book by renowned epidemiologist Dr. Shanna Swan warns about threats posed by endocrine disrupting chemicals that are imperiling reproductive health, fertility and the fate of humankind.

New study suggests association between early pregnancy PFOA exposure and increased risk of miscarriage during first trimester

11th February 2021

A study released today in the Nature journal Scientific Reports finds that exposure to PFOA during the early stages of pregnancy is positively associated with an increased risk for sporadic miscarriage during the second half of the first trimester.

Pollution from coal power costs Turkey as much as 27% of its total health expenditure – new report

4th February 2021

Turkey is pushing ahead with plans to double its coal power capacity with 30 new coal power stations despite major health impacts and costs linked to the country’s existing coal…

If Europe really wants to beat cancer, it needs to drastically reduce environmental pollutants and action its Zero Pollution ambition

3rd February 2021

Today the European Commission launched the Beating Cancer Plan, marking the beginning of a new era in cancer prevention. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has welcomed the ambitious plan as a major step forward to prevent cancer by preventing pollution.

EU industrial pollution law revision essential to cut greenhouse gases and pollutants

1st February 2021

Brussels - The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) currently excludes limits on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), making it unfit to support the EU's moves to address climate…

Just transition for health protection – Why disease prevention and zero pollution need to be at the heart of energy investments

8th December 2020

The upcoming finalisation of the Just Transition Fund will set the financial framework on how European regions will execute the much needed transition to carbon-neutral economies. Decades of fossil fuel…

Lancet Countdown 2020 underlines health benefits of decisive climate and recovery action

3rd December 2020

Responding to the converging climate and COVID-19 crises can deliver a triple win: better public health, a sustainable economy and environmental protection. Climate action can ensure cleaner air, healthier diets,…

More than 12,200 chemicals can be used in materials and articles coming in contact with food worldwide, according to new scientific database

30th November 2020

The first publicly available database providing an overview of the chemicals that can be used in the processing of food contact materials and articles was released today, which suggests that more than 12,200 chemicals can be used in materials and articles coming in contact with food worldwide.

Survey shows almost 50% of Belgians are unaware of health-harming endocrine disrupting chemicals in daily lives

19th November 2020

Results from a new survey published by the Belgian Independent Health Insurance Funds (Mutualités Libres / Onafhankelijke Ziekenfondsen) reveal nearly half of Belgian citizens have little knowledge of what endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are and how they can impact our health.

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