We are exposed to chemicals everywhere in our daily lives. This exposure has been associated with numerous health impacts, such as cancer, weakening of the immune system and normal functioning of organs, disruption of the hormonal system and the reproductive system, birth defects and negative impacts on the mental, intellectual and physical development of children.
HEAL works with partners and decision-makers to minimise and ultimately end human exposure to hazardous and health-harming chemicals in Europe, and towards protective laws and regulations for a non-toxic environment.
Briefing: How clean air action can help address socio-economic health inequalities
As EU member states, regional and local authorities prepare to implement the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), this briefing by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) argues that decision-makers and authorities should pay particular attention to addressing socio-economic inequalities in their clean air efforts. The swift transposition and implementation of the new rules, with strengthened administrative collaboration and the full utilisation of financial support schemes, promise significant progress towards cleaner air across Europe. Improved air quality will be beneficial to everyone and contribute to preventing health inequalities for those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
Joint letter to members of REACH committee on implementation of restriction agenda
The undersigned organisations urge the REACH committee to advocate for accelerating the implementation of the restriction agenda, which is crucial for the timely phase-out of the most harmful chemicals within the EU and support the progressive industry.
Joint letter to EU Commission President: Support for the PFAS restriction proposal at EU level
Scientists and civil society organisations have sent a letter to EU Commission President Von der Leyen asking her to support an undisturbed continuation of the evaluation of the universal PFAS restriction proposal in its unchanged form, so that a significant and timely reduction in PFAS emissions can be achieved.
Letter to EU Commission President: Safety of food contact materials: 20 years of inaction on EU’s basic rules
The letter, signed by more than 50 organisations, expresses concern about the current state of the EU Food Contact Materials Regulation revision (EC 1935/2004) due to its significant delay.
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.
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.
NGOs response to ECHA’s call for evidence on aromatic brominated flame retardants
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), ChemSec, the Cancer Prevention and Education Society, Zero Waste…
HEAL’s comments on ECHA’s recommendation to amend REACH authorisation list entries for Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
HEAL supports the proposed amendments to the REACH authorisation list entries for Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which is listed as a substance of very high concern under REACH due to its toxicity for reproductive prpoerties and its endocrine disrupting effects on human health and the environment.
HEAL’s comments on ECHA’s draft recommendation to include melamine in the authorisation list of REACH
HEAL strongly supports the inclusion of melamine, a substance that's harmful for human health and the environment, in the authorisation list of REACH.
HEAL’s response to the EU Commission’s proposal to prohibit BPA and other bisphenols in food contact materials
Commenting on the European Commission’s proposal to restrict the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols in food contact materials, HEAL calls for swift action and ambition to protect health and the environment against hazardous chemicals found in food packaging.
HEAL’s analysis of the draft European Parliament ENVI report regarding the legal proposal for reform of the CLP legislation
HEAL analyses the draft report of the European Parliament (EP) ENVI committee on the legal proposal for reform of the legislation on the classification, labelling, and packaging of chemicals (CLP).
Response to the public consultation on the revision of the legislation on the classification, labelling, and packaging of chemicals (CLP)
HEAL welcomes the draft proposal for a revision of the CLP legislation and overall shares…
Polyrisk flyer: How micro- and nanoplastics in the environment might impact our health and immune system
While evidence of the existence of microplastics within our bodies exists, we currently do not know how they affect human health. This new Polyrisk flyer illustrates how this EU-funded project aims to advance the science of how MNPs in our environment impacts health, particularly in relation to the immune system.
Q&A on animal testing and chemical safety assessments
We are exposed to a wide mix of potentially harmful chemicals on a daily basis. To assess whether and how exposure to chemical substances can impact our health and the environment, European and national regulatory authorities rely on the results from several testing methods, including animal testing, when performing their safety assessment. In this Q&A, HEAL answers several key questions about the use of animal testing in the European Union.
How PFAS chemicals affect women, pregnancy and human development: Health actors call for urgent action to phase them out
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.
A 10+13 agroecology approach to shape policies and transform EU food systems
This policy paper puts forward a proposal to mainstream agroecology into the policies governing EU food systems. It builds on the consensual vision of a coalition of EU civil society, farmers and scientific organizations to use the FAO ‘10 Elements of Agroecology’ and ‘13 Agroecological Principles’ as a framework to develop the appropriate instruments and targets for EU policies.
The problem of PFAS in Europe – joint NGO flyer
Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances, more commonly known as PFAS, are a particularly harmful chemical group. In this flyer, HEAL, CHEMSEC, EEB, CHEM Trust and THINK-Film explain the problem of PFAS in Europe.
How endocrine disrupting chemicals affect women’s reproductive health: new factsheet and infographic by the FREIA project
It is beyond a doubt that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impact the health of humans and the environment globally. Surprisingly, we still don’t know exactly how EDCs can harm female reproductive health. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has teamed up with the FREIA project to launch a factsheet and infographic - available in English, Dutch and French - to introduce this research project and to illustrate how EDCs affect women’s health.
Infographic: The EU must protect people’s health and the environment against endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
The EDC-Free Europe coalition, of which HEAL is a member, has launched a new infographic illustrating the harmful impacts of exposure to known and suspected endocrine disruptors on our health and the environment.
Infographic: How can an EU-wide PFAS restriction be a game-changer for health?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of over 10 000 chemicals also known as “forever chemicals’ are taxing our health and economy. HEAL’s new infographic highlights key strengths and weaknesses in the proposed EU restriction on PFAS.
Infographic: The EU must ban PVC!
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a commonly used plastic that exposes people and the environment to toxic, carcinogenic chemicals and contaminants.
Infographic: How can a revised CLP Regulation help identify harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals?
HEAL’s new infographic illustrates how the upcoming revision of the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation can help better identify harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) within European chemicals laws.
HEAL and European Cancer Leagues relaunch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants
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.
Infographic: Reforming EU rules on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals to better protect health
This easy-to-use infographic explains why reforming EU rules on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals (CLP) is an opportunity to better protect health in the European Union.
Joint letter to members of REACH committee on implementation of restriction agenda
The undersigned organisations urge the REACH committee to advocate for accelerating the implementation of the restriction agenda, which is crucial for the timely phase-out of the most harmful chemicals within the EU and support the progressive industry.
Joint letter to EU Commission President: Support for the PFAS restriction proposal at EU level
Scientists and civil society organisations have sent a letter to EU Commission President Von der Leyen asking her to support an undisturbed continuation of the evaluation of the universal PFAS restriction proposal in its unchanged form, so that a significant and timely reduction in PFAS emissions can be achieved.
Letter to EU Commission President: Safety of food contact materials: 20 years of inaction on EU’s basic rules
The letter, signed by more than 50 organisations, expresses concern about the current state of the EU Food Contact Materials Regulation revision (EC 1935/2004) due to its significant delay.
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.
CSO statement: The EU Commission must provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health
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 open letter from the representatives of civil society and the environment on the Draghi Report considerations regarding chemicals
A group of civil society organisations has written to EU Environment Ministers and European Commission…
Press release: EDC-Free Europe coalition urges EU Leaders to take immediate action on endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Press release: HEAL, together with the EDC-Free Europe coalition, is calling on future EU leaders to protect health and the environment from health-harming endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The coalition shared its priorities for the upcoming policy mandate at an event at the European Parliament.
Press note: European competitiveness will not be harmed by a PFAS restriction – but without it, people’s health will be
Press note: While the Draghi report is concerned about the economic implications from transitioning away from PFAS in Europe, this approach is fundamentally flawed given the health costs and severe health and environmental consequences associated with these substances.
Press note: Health groups welcome vote on restriction of bisphenols in food packaging
Press note: EU member states expert committee voted to ban some bisphenols, including bisphenol A (BPA), in food contact materials. This measure is much needed to protect people from these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), that have also been classified as toxic for reproduction.
Press Release: 73 EU candidates pledge a toxic-free future ahead of EU-elections
Press release: In a move to prioritise public health and environmental sustainability, nineteen leading environmental and health organisations have united to call on EU candidates to commit to a toxic-free Europe.
Press note: New Study – Chemical exposure can lead to higher risk of metabolic syndrome in children
Press note: New Study – Chemical exposure can lead to higher risk of metabolic syndrome in children
Press note: Member States water down Toy Safety Legislation
Press note: The Council of the EU adopted their position on the updated rules of the toy safety regulation, which leaves many gaps on children’s protection from harmful chemicals.
‘Forever chemicals’ widespread in disposable food packaging from popular fast-food chains across Europe, new study shows
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.
Turning the plastic tide: New HEAL report puts the spotlight on how chemicals in plastic are putting our health at risk
Today the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) releases the primer 'Turning the Plastic Tide', unwrapping the story behind the chemicals in plastic that put our health at risk.
Toxic Soup: Dioxins in Plastic Toys
A new study, "Toxic Soup: Dioxins in Plastic Toys", shows alarming levels of very toxic brominated dioxins in eight toys and one hair clip made of recycled plastic stemming from electronic waste.
Toxic chemicals found in carpets sold by major European manufacturers
New research has found toxic chemicals in carpets produced and sold by some of the…
European Study Exposing Toxic E-Waste Chemicals in Children’s Products Spurs Calls for Policy to End Recycling Exemptions for Hazardous Waste
Environmental health researchers released alarming evidence today that toxic brominated flame retardants, hazardous chemicals from electronic waste that are known to disrupt thyroid function and cause neurological and attention deficits in children, are contaminating recycled plastics in consumer products across Europe.
Swept under the rug: new report reveals toxics in European carpets threatening health, environment and circular economy
Brussels - Toxic substances linked to a range of adverse health impacts can be present…
