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.”
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are hazardous substances that are found everywhere in our daily lives. The EDC-Free Europe coalition, of which HEAL is a member, has launched an infographic illustrating the harmful impacts of exposure to known and suspected endocrine disruptors on our health and the environment.
Download the infographic in English, Spanish, German, Swedish, Italian, Danish, Polish, Portuguese or Dutch.
EDCs are synthetic chemicals that block, mimic or interfere with the natural hormones in our bodies. They can be found everywhere in our daily lives, including in consumer products, fruits and vegetables, food packaging, and even in the air we breathe and the water we drink.
A growing mountain of scientific evidence has shown that exposure to endocrine disruptors, even in very low doses, can do irreversible damage to people’s health, biodiversity and the environment. Vulnerable groups, like children and pregnant women, are especially at risk.
Exposure to EDCs results in over 163 billion Euros in health costs in the European Union each year. Exposure has been associated with adverse effects on human health, including various types of cancer, infertility and reproductive health problems, hyperactivity and ADHD, diabetes and obesity, early puberty, thyroid disorders, and delayed cognitive development and learning abilities.
EDC-Free Europe is a campaign of 70 civil society groups across Europe who share a concern about endocrine disrupting chemicals and their impact on our health and wildlife. Ahead of the European elections taking place in June 2024, the coalition urges the EU and national governments to take immediate action and fix EU laws to minimise and ultimately end people’s exposure to endocrine disruptors.
Download the infographic as a PDF or as a PNG file.
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