According to the WHO, indoor and outdoor air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk, causing numerable noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, stroke and lung cancer as well as increasing the risk for acute respiratory infections.
HEAL works with global, European, national and local partners and decision-makers to decrease those preventable diseases and to protect those most vulnerable – pregnant women, children, the elderly and those already ill or poor.
First patient in Poland officially diagnosed with illness caused by smog: a year in review
27th November 2024
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.”
HEAL response to public consultation on NEC Directive evaluation
26th November 2024
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.
HEAL assessment of the trio hearings of Vice-President-designate Ribera, Vice-President-designate Séjourné and Commissioner-designate Hoekstra
15th November 2024
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.
HEAL assessment of the hearing of Commissioner-designate Olivér Várhelyi
7th November 2024
Yesterday, MEPs held the confirmation hearing with Commissioner-designate Roswall, whose portfolio focuses on environment, water resilience and a competitive circular economy.
HEAL assessment of the hearing of Commissioner-designate Jessika Roswall
6th November 2024
Yesterday, MEPs held the confirmation hearing with Commissioner-designate Roswall, whose portfolio focuses on environment, water resilience and a competitive circular economy.
CSO statement: The EU Commission must provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health
4th November 2024
Together with 180+ organisations, HEAL cal on the EU Commission to provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health, ensuring the protection of people.
New briefing on swift, health-based implementation of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive
18th October 2024
Science has a crucial role to play in the implementation of the revised EU clean air law, according to a new briefing by the METEOR research cluster. The briefing showcases how the projects in this EU funded research cluster can help support policymakers in the design of clean air measures and help in evaluating those which are most beneficial to health.
Science review: The health impacts of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
30th June 2023
A new science review commissioned by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) shows the significant impact of the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on health.
Health threats of short-term winter smog in Poland
16th May 2023
Today, HEAL Poland has published an analysis of particulate matter air pollution in Poland during…
Toolkit (EN, IT, DE): Advocating for clean air – how to communicate the science
19th July 2022
HEAL has produced a science to policy communications toolkit for fellow NGOs and anyone working on clean air advocacy.
Recommendations from the Turkish health sector on improving air quality
30th June 2022
Turkey is a country with a high burden of disease from air pollution. Poor air…
Toolkit on ‘Communicating on air quality and health’
10th October 2018
In spite of the work carried out by the EU institutions, the Member States, many…
New infographic on the health and climate threat from wood burning
11th March 2024
A new infographic entitled “Wood burning: a false solution fuelling the climate crisis and harming…
Infographic: What is nitrogen dioxide and how does exposure to it affect your health?
23rd November 2023
The new HEAL infographic in English and Polish outlines the most important facts about nitrogen dioxide and its impact on health and highlights what actions should be taken to protect people the pollutant.
Clean Air for Health – the disease burden caused by air pollution
26th June 2023
Air pollution is the top environmental threat to health in Europe. It leads to hundreds…
HEAL’s demands for clean air for health, for everyone
11th April 2023
Air pollution is the top environmental risk to health in Europe and everyone is vulnerable…
HEAL and European Cancer Leagues relaunch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants
25th May 2022
To mark the start of the European Week Against Cancer 2022, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) have teamed up to relaunch an infographic telling the story behind environmental cancer prevention.
CSO statement: The EU Commission must provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health
4th November 2024
Together with 180+ organisations, HEAL cal on the EU Commission to provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health, ensuring the protection of people.
Joint letter to EU environment ministers regarding confirmation of revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD)
10th October 2024
HEAL, together with Bundesärztekammer and Deutsche Allianz Klimawandel und Gesundheit (KLUG), has sent a letter calling on EU environment ministers to confirm the revision of EU’s clean air standards (Ambient Air Quality Directives).
Letter: EU Healthy Air Coalition calls for confirmation of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directives
7th October 2024
The EU Healthy Air Coalition, representing medical doctors, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and health insurers, call the members of the Environment Council of the EU to confirm the revision of EU’s clean air standards (Ambient Air Quality Directives).
Letter: EU Healthy Air Coalition calls to strengthen EU clean air measures to sustain quality of life
6th September 2024
The EU Healthy Air Coalition, representing medical doctors, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and health insurers, which HEAL is a part of, call on the European Commission President von der Leyen, to prevent health impacts from air pollution. The coalition calls to award clean air a prominent mandate priority at Vice-Presidency level, in order to save costs and protect those most vulnerable.
Letter to the President of the European Commission on protecting people’s health against climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss
1st August 2024
HEAL calls on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to commit to protecting people’s health from the triple crisis during her second term in a letter. HEAL urges her to safeguard and strengthen the EU climate and environmental acquis for better health, and accelerate on the zero pollution path, including for the foreseen reform of the EU chemicals law REACH.
Green 10 letter to the President of the European Parliament calling to address the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency
26th July 2024
The Green 10 coalition, which HEAL is a part of, encourages the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola upon her re-election to put the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency at the forefront of her tenure.
Press release: Health groups welcome the confirmation of revised EU air quality law: milestone for public health
14th October 2024
The EU Environment Ministers confirmed the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive. The revised legislation updates limits for key air pollutants in the EU to align more closely with the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, and to reflect the serious health impacts of air pollution.
Wichtige Entscheidung im EU-Parlament für saubere Luft und Gesundheit
25th April 2024
Das Europäische Parlament hat heute mit großer Mehrheit (381 Stimmen) die vorläufige Trilog-Vereinbarung zur Überarbeitung…
Press note: The EU Healthy Air Coalition welcomes European Parliament vote for cleaner air and better health
24th April 2024
The European Parliament adopted today by a large majority the provisional trilogue agreement on the revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives (AAQD), to update the EU’s clean air standards dating from 2008.
Press release: Clean air in cities for better health
23rd April 2024
Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to everyone's health across the EU, and one of the leading risk factors for chronic diseases. Today, pathways to reach clean air in cities by 2030 will be discussed by more than 340 participants from 33 countries at an international conference taking place in Brussels.
EU geht wichtigen Schritt, um Menschen europaweit vor Luftverschmutzung zu schützen
21st February 2024
Berlin / Brüssel, 21. Februar 2024 Gesundheitsexpert:innen begrüßen die gestern im Trilog erzielte Einigung zur Aktualisierung der…
Press release: Faced with a public health emergency from air pollution, the EU is one step closer to finally tackling it
21st February 2024
Health groups across Europe call for the European Parliament and member states to swiftly adopt the agreement reached in trilogue on updating EU’s clean air standards (revised Ambient Air Quality Directive). The deal includes updates on maximum levels for the major air pollutants, strengthened monitoring requirements, better information to people including vulnerable groups. The draft law also introduces new access to justice and compensation rules.
