Air Quality and Air Pollution

*UDPATED* Prioritising respiratory diseases and allergies in the European research agenda

*UPDATED* Ahead of the 2nd reading on the 7th Research Framework Programme, several EPHA members were calling on the European Parliament to include respiratory disease within the scope of FP7. Their call has been heard by the European Parliament.
**Results of the advocacy campaign**: As a result, respiratory diseases including those inducesd by allergies were part of the priority list and food allergies are now covered in the food safety theme.
The European Federation of Allergies and (...)

EFA Allergy Patient Manifesto published

The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) has released an "European Allergy Patient Manifesto".
The European Allergy Patient Manifesto is a political declaration comprising six point strategy to counteract the growing prevalence of allergy in Europe and globally, and by doing so, improve the health conditions and quality of life of allergic patients and their families.
It calls for the European institutions, national governments, the (...)

Indoor air pollution - Towards healthy air

The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations published the results of the ‘Towards Healthy Air in Dwellings in Europe - THADE’ project which points out cost-effective measures to address indoor air pollution.
The co-funded (DG SANCO) project started in 2002 and aims to compile evidence-based data about exposure to indoor air pollution and its health effects, particularly about allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases.
The report focuses on (...)

CIEH Conference on health and Environment policies

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health - CIEH will hold its annual conference on public environmental and health policies, in Bournemouth on the 5-7 september 2006.
The conference aims to provide the lastest updated information on environmental health. Entitled ’Here to keep you safe’, it will debate on the key strategies and policies to address environmental health. It will also try to find ways to successfully deliver and apply health and environmentally-friendly policies. (...)

Fighting for Breath - a report on living with severe asthma

EPHA Member, the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Association (EFA) launched the results of the survey "Fighting for Breath: a European patient perspective on severe asthma" at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in September 2005.
Up until now, no pan-European survey by patients for patients has reported the real life experiences of what people living with severe asthma undergo every day. According to the report, "millions of people across (...)

Toxic chemicals and women’s health

Women in Europe for a Common Future in cooperation with the Social Ecological Institute and Karat Coalition will hold a seminar titled “Toxic chemicals in our daily life from a women’s health perspective. Do we have to accept the present situation?”.
The Conference will take place in Warsaw on the 6th of December 2004.
The seminar will deal with the impact of toxic chemicals, which exists in our daily lives, on women’s health. Examples include toxic chemicals in toys, cosmetics (...)

Pregnant workers should be protected from smoke at work says BMA Report

Pregnant women who cannot be ensured protection from second-hand smoke at their place of work should be entitled to leave of absence on full pay for the duration of their pregnancy.
The Report by the British Medical Association (BMA) published on 11 February 2004, looks towards Directive 92/85/EEC, which provides health and safety measures for pregnant women at the work-place to provide the necessary protection from passive smoking.
The report concludes that:
women who smoke take longer to (...)

WECF urges resistance against industry attacks

Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) have called on civil society groups to urgently respond to the EU consultation on a draft new chemicals policy. (The deadline for comments was July 10).
In a press release following their conference 28-29 June, they say that the European chemicals industry and the United States government have together mounted one of the biggest-ever lobbying campaigns against tighter chemicals controls.
"This [industry and American administration lobbying] is (...)

The Second Citizens AGORA: Climate Change.

The second citizens Agora took place on the 12th-13th of June 2008. The Agora is originally a ancient Greek word for an open citizens debate, this being the idea behind the current Agoras.
The first Agora, as previously reported by EPHA, had the heady title of ’The Future of Europe’ and as many agreed was far too broad a topic. This second Agora was on the marginally slimmer topic of Climate Change.
Gerard Onesta, Vice-President of the European Parliament and architect of the Agora, opened (...)

New report about the health risks of heavy metals from long-range transboundary air pollution

The World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe has published a new report entitled “Health Risks of heavy metals from long-range transboundary air pollution” on the sources, chemical proprieties and spatial distribution of cadmium, lead and mercury pollution that evaluates the potential health risks in Europe.
The Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) was signed in 1979. Its recently activities persistent organic pollutants (Protocol on (...)

Primer on Environment and Health in Europe published

The Health and Environment Primer provides an introduction to European environmental health policy. The booklet sketches out basic environmental health concepts and maps out recent developments in the environment and health arena. It covers European policy developments in an accessible and approachable text that combines history with information about relevant organisations and web-page references. The primer is a resource to aid people can refer to find out about the important environment (...)

Climate change and health

This year has seen the focus on climate change shifting away from an exclusive focus on reducing emissions with recognition that past emissions have already caused the climate to change with resultant impacts on health.

EU Commission launches Green Paper on climate change

A Commission Green Paper on adapting to climate change promises a 2008 Communication on the health impacts and policies necessary because of climate change.
The European Commission, DG Environment, adopted a Green Paper on Adapting to Climate Change in Europe: options for EU action , on 29 June 2007. Commissioner Stavros Dimas gave a lecture on the subject in a conference that took place in Brussels on 3 July 2007.
The Green Paper on climate change is the Commission’s first comprehensive (...)

EU Commission urges EU states to reduce CO2 emissions

The European Commission, based on a status report from the European Environment Agency (EEA), has urged EU member states to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emission in a statement that took place on 14 June, in Brussels.
Commissioner Stravos Dimas has welcomed the EEA’s report which concludes that the European Union’s greenhouse gas emission fell by 0.7% in 2005. However, Mr. Dimas has underlined that member states need to improve their efforts to limit emissions (...)

Awards highlight eco-tech measures that can save children’s lives

Fifteen top contestants demonstrated on 13 June 2007 in Vienna what a combination of simple technologies and community organisation can do to protect the environment for the sake of children’s health.
The awards
The prizes were presented during the first morning of the inter-governmental meeting in Vienna to assess progress in Children’s Environment and Health Plans for Europe, known as CEHAPE.
The five categories for the awards were based on CEHAPE’s four regional priority goals plus a (...)

*UPDATED* NGO input for the CEHAPE mid term review Conference, Vienna 13-15 June

*UPDATED with the results of the NGO coordination event.* Opportunities to coordinate the NGO input in different health areas for the Intergovernmental Mid Term Review Conference of the Children’s Environmental and Health Action Plan for Europe. Especially relevant for organisations working on physical activity.
Bacground information
In 2004, European governments signed a Declaration on a Children’s Environmental and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) in Budapest.
In 2007, the (...)

**Updated** EPHA, EEN and EFA call on MEPs to improve air quality legislation

Updated with latest actions in October 2006.
EPHA, EPHA Environment Network, and EFA - the European Federation of Allergies and Airway Diseases Patients’ Associations sent a letter in June 2006 to the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety ahead of the vote on the EU Thematic Strategy on Air Quality and Ambient Air Quality Legislation.
The three organisations called on MEPs to ensure the highest possible level of health protection for EU (...)

1/4 of all disease caused by environmental factors

A new World Health Organisation report concludes that 24% of global disease is caused by environmental exposure and therefore could be avoided.
The figures are even higher when children are concerned as 33% of diseases in children under the age of 5 are of environmental origin.
Entitled "Preventing disease through healthy environments", the report aims to be a comprehensive study of environmental hazards contributing to a wide range of diseases and injuries.
The authors estimate that more (...)

Green Week 2006: Changing our Behaviour to Preserve Biodiversity

The European Commission 2006 Green Week, which ran from 30 May to 2 June 2006 focuses on changing people’s behaviour with regard to the preservation of biodiversity.
The Greek Week 2006 Conference Programme looks at key aspects of EU biodiversity policy and potential approaches for strengthening cooperation with stakeholders to ensure the 2010 target is reached. The programme is structured around four main strands:
Biodiversity as a global issue;
The management of natural resources; (...)

Air pollution costs the EU 161 billion euros annually

Air pollution with particulate matter (PM) claims an average of 8.6 months from the life of every person in the European Union (EU).
The WHO Regional Office for Europe has highlighted the impact of air pollution on health and the financial costs.
Long-term exposure to PM is particularly damaging to human health and reduces life expectancy, and needs to be tackled as a priority. There would also be key financial benefits. For the EU, €58-161 billion could be saved if deaths from PM (...)

**UPDATED**Commission launches consultation on Air Quality

Following its consultation on air quality, the European Commission has published an EU thematic strategy on air quality and ambient air quality legislation.
EPHA, EPHA Environment Network and the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) are calling the European Parliament to take a strong leadership role on that dossier.
The three organisations remind MEPs in the attached letter that according to the European Commission’s own Impact Assessment, (...)

Public health impact of September 11 highlighted

The US National Institute of Environmental Health Science has published the results of monitoring the health impact of the destruction of the World Trade Centre on emergency workers and local residents.
The researchers noted show exposure-related increases in new-onset cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, and bronchial hyperreactivity more than 2 1/2 years after the disaster. In addition, follow-up of pregnant women who were inside or near the WTC buildings on September 11 found a two-fold (...)

A worldwide appeal to control chemical pollution

Scientists and researchers at the international colloquium in May the 7th at UNESCO in Paris on "cancer environment and society" organised by French cancer research organisation ARTAC gave their support to the Paris Appeal, which will be presented to the United Nations, the European Union, and national decision makers at the end of 2004.
This "Paris Appeal" is to call national decision-makers, European Authorities, international organisations, and specifically the United Nations (...)

Toxic Chemicals Contaminate American Houses

In the first nationwide tests for brominated fire retardants, known as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found unexpectedly high levels of these neurotoxic chemicals in house dust. EWG’s tests indicate that consumer products such as computers, TVs, furniture, carpets and drapes, not industrial releases, are the most likely sources of the rapid buildup of PBDEs in people, animals and the environment. In particular, their findings raise concerns (...)

Round table on chemical safety

On May 17th, the European Centre on Sustainable Policies for Human and Environment will organise a round table titled "REACHing beyond POPs and PIC: EU leadership in global chemical safety".
This event aims to mark the entry into force of the Stockholm Convention and it follows a similar round table co-hosted by ECOSPHERE and the Pesticide Action Network UK which took place in London on February 24th to note the coming into force of the Rotterdam (PIC) Convention.
For more information (...)

Major US study to analyse environmental impact on children’s health

A US National Children’s Study which will study 100,000 uterine children until they are 21 years old is planned to start in 2006.
The study is being planned by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
The goal is to determine how environmental factors impact children’s health and which genes can make that (...)

Three climate policy scenarios for 2010

The technical report no. 93, published by the European Environment Agency, compares three climate policy scenarios based on their different use of Kyoto mechanisms.
The report highlights the potential ancillary benefits for air pollution regarding reductions in pollutant emissions and evolutions in environmental impacts and control costs.
EEA technical report no. 93, Exploring the ancillary benefits of the Kyoto Protocol for air pollution in Europe (PDF, 482 (...)

15-18 million children suffer permanent brain damage from lead poisoning

A research study from the World Health Organisation (WHO) published on 25 March 2004 highlights that lead poisoning caused by chemicals and other environmental factors, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, water and injuries, is linked to neuro-developmental problems and still threatens children.
15-18 million children in our countries suffer permanent brain damage from lead poisoning.
This research shows that up to one-third of children in Europe have "elevated" (more than 10ug/dl) (...)

Addressing the health hazards of mercury

DG Environment is organising a stakeholder consultation on Mercury in Brussels on 31 March 2004 as preparation for the development of an EU Strategy on Mercury.
A consultation paper prepared by DG Environment presents an analysis of the situation relating to the use, control, emissions and impacts of mercury and its compounds. The chlor-alkali industry is the largest present user of mercury in the EU. However, for a variety of reasons, the use of mercury in this industry sector is being (...)

The Kyoto protocol becomes EU law

Last 10 March 2004, all provisions of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol were made legally binding in the EU by a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council (Decision 280/2004/EC concerning a mechanism for monitoring Community greenhouse gas emissions and for implementing the Kyoto Protocol).
This means that the Kyoto Protocol has force of EU law. The Decision reaffirms the EU’s global leadership in fighting climate change.
The Kyoto Protocol is part of the U.N. Framework Convention on (...)

Third international event for effective environmental policies

"Bridging the Gap": Information for Action will take place at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin on 28-30 April 2004. The conference, which is hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland, is co-organised by the European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
There will be sessions on environment and human health, climate change, impacts and adaptation, environmental impact assessment, biodiversity and land use, european environmental information needs.
Speakers will include:
UNEP (...)

New report: the global burden of asthma

A new report by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) was released the report on February 2004 at the World Asthma Meeting in Thailand, Bangkok .
The "Global Burden of Asthma" report states that over 30 million people in Europe now have asthma. It also highlights that while mortality from asthma has fallen in Europe, asthma care is failing patients more than previously recognised, and prevalence of asthma in children is also a focus for (...)

The epidemic dimension of asbestos in the US

US environmental think-tank, the Environmental Working Group launched a website on asbestos on March 2004.
Reports on their website highlight that since 1979, at least 43,073 people have died from exposure to this mineral in the US.
EWG predicts at least 100,000 more will die of asbestos-related diseases over the next 10 years and warns that more than 1 million people are still being exposed to it in the everyday environment.
US governement prohibited new uses of asbestos in 1989 after (...)

EU industrial pollution register published

Europe’s first pollutant emission register, EPER, has been published.
The register was launched on 24 February 2004 in Copenhagen, and it will be translated into all 11 official EU languages following initial feedback. Satellite images showing the location of industrial facilities would be upgraded.
Eper contains a wealth of data on emissions of key pollutants, accessible to all via the internet.
Based on reports from EU-15 governments plus Norway, the first edition reports releases of 50 (...)

Stakeholder consultation launched on urban environment

On 11 February 2004, DG Environment launched a consultation process on urban environment which invites comments on a draft strategy on improving the quality of life for citizens.
80 % of Europeans live in towns and cities but in many places, poor air quality, noise, heavy traffic, neglect of the built environment, poor environmental management and a lack of strategic planning have led to a lower quality of life, health problems and even premature deaths.
The Commission document identifies (...)

Health concerns stop incinerator plans in Scotland

Controversial plans to build Scotland’s biggest waste incinerator on the outskirts of Aberdeen appear certain to be rejected.
The reason is the continuing concerns about the potential risks to public health according to the daily newspaper Edinburgh Scotsmen on February 12, 2004
One concern revolves around the full environmental impact of the proposal - particularly in regard to air quality and public health - which is deemed to have several "shortcomings and deficiencies" in the air (...)

4th annual report on CO2 emissions from new cars

CO2 emissions from new passenger cars sold in the EU decreased by 10.8% between 1995 and 2002.
The 4th Annual Report on CO2 Emissions from New Cars was adopted by the European Commission on 12 February 2004.
The EU’s goal is to reach a 35% reduction by 2010 at the latest.
Commission press release.
EU strategy on CO2 emissions from passenger cars

Reducing heavy metals for better air quality

The European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment , Public Health and Consumer Policy considered a draft legislative proposal to regulate heavy metals in ambient air, called the 4th Daughter Directive on January 21, 2004, and adopted stricter binding limits than those proposed by the European Commission. These pollutants can have serious consequences on human health.
The rapporteur is Mr Hans Kronberger (Kronberger report, (COD030164 - COM(03)0423 - C5-0331/03). His report (...)

Conference: "How to exchange air pollution and health information"

AIRNET, a thematic network on air pollution and health, organises a network day on 16 February 2004 in Brussels.
The aim of this workshop is to bring together the different stakeholders in order to enter into a dialogue aimed at optimising the use of knowledge and establishing mutual relations.

Climate change impacts on health, agriculture and biodiversity

Swiss scientists are predicting that from 2070 onwards summer heatwaves in Europe will be the norm as a result of climate change.
The results of the EU-Swiss funded project are published in Nature magazine and indicate that one summer in two will be at least as hot as 2003 when daytime temperatures exceeed 30 degrees celsius and soared to peaks of 40 degrees.
The heatwave in 2003 created huge forest fires in several countries, destroying about three to four times more woodland in France (...)

Greenhouse gas emissions trading directive enters into force

On 25 October, the directive establishing an EU-wide greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme entered into force (Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC). Under this trading scheme, around 10,000 EU companies will be able (from 1 January 2005 onwards) to buy and sell permits to emit carbon dioxide. Member States have (...)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the UK

A report by the British Lung Foundation titled "Breathing Fear", states that an estimated three million people in the UK have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Half of people who smoke will develop the disease. People who are exposed to chemicals or significant environmental pollution over many years are also at risk.
The report was published one day ahead of the European Respiratory Society’s annual conference in Vienna. The ERS is a member of (...)

New research on indoor air pollution

The latest studies on human exposure to indoor pollution, released on 22 September by the European Commission at its Joint Research Centre (JRC) facilities in Ispra (Italy), reveal that indoor environments pose their own threats to health and, in some cases, can be at least twice as polluting as outdoor environments.
For more information on the report, please click here.
Commission press (...)

EU-wide carbon dioxide emissions charge for European airlines

The UK governement has open a consultation on how the aviation industry should deal with the external costs of noise, crowded skies and air pollution.
As part of the consultation, the government’s advisory Commission for Integrated Transport (CfiT) issued a report where it recommends the introduction of an EU-wide carbon dioxide emissions charge for European airlines.
Key recommendations in the (...)

Pollution particles found to have large impact on infant health

Tiny particles (called total suspended particulates (TSPs)), in the air probably have a greater impact on infant health than has previously been realized.
"The Impact of Air Pollution on Infant Mortality: Evidence from Geographic Variation in Pollution Shocks Induced by a Recession" is a joint study by a University of Chicago economist specializing in environmental regulation and his colleague at the University of California (Berkeley).
The particles range in size from barely visible dust (...)

Exploring the health and environment link throughout the world

The World Bank has issued an strategy paper on Health and environment.
The paper, published in October 2001 and writen by economist Ksenhya Lvovsky, highlights the inter-relationship between environment, public health and poverty in the industrialised and developing worlds.
It shows that holistic, multi-sectoral approaches are needed to improve health and particular attention must be given to the needs of the poor who suffer the greatest ill health from environmental (...)

Workshop on Air quality in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia

Urban air pollution has a major impact on health in Europe, and in particular in Eastern parts of the WHO European Region. Reducing risks to health through improvement of urban air quality is one of the key objectives of the environmental strategy for countries of Eastern Europe, Caucausus, and Central Asia (EECCA), which was adopted during the Fifth Ministerial Conference, "Environment for Europe".
The World Health Organisation will be hosting a workshop to focus on strengthening air (...)

Testing citizen exposure to air pollution in Europe’s cities

An EU funded project to test the exposure to air pollution in cities has completed an initial pilot phase in Portugal. ’People’ project involved 500 volunteers wearing special equipment to monitor their personal exposure to the carcinogenic pollutant benzene as they went about their ordinary daily routines. The project is linked to the implementation of Directive 2000/69/EC on air pollution by benzene. The second stage of the project will involve volunteer citizens wearing monitoring (...)

Carcinogenic benzene levels highest at rush hour

To breathe air containing less carcinogenic benzene, stop smoking and leave the car at home.
That advice has emerged from the first in a series of Europe wide air quality studies.
There were 2 European cities acting as pilot-cities for the PEOPLE project: Brussels and Lisbon.
The first phase of the Population Exposure to Air Pollutants In Europe (PEOPLE) project took place in Brussels last October, and the results were published on 30th June. The results from the PEOPLE project in Lisborn (...)

Stakeholder consultation on new EU Environment and Health Strategy

On 11 July 2003 the European Commission is organising a consultation meeting on the newly published Environment and Health strategy (see earlier article).
The goal of the meeting is to discuss the workprogramme for 2003-2004, set out the parameters of the consultation exercise and to identify technical working groups on key issues.
The deadline for registering is 5 July 2003.

EU Environment and Health Strategy Published

The European Commission has just published an Environment and Health Strategy to tackle the key diseases linked with environmental causes.
A joint publication of the Directorates for Health, Environment and Research, the document sets out a long-term vision.
The first phase (2003 - 2010) will focus on four key health concerns: childhood respiratory diseases, neurodevelopment disorders, childhood cancers and endocrine disruptor effects.
Download the Commission Strategy and read the (...)

Green Week 2003

The 2003 edition of Green Week that will take place 2-5 June.
The main aim of Green Week is to encourage people to "think aloud" about changing people’s environmental behaviour and making the world a more environmentally friendly and healthy place to live in.
Green Week 2003 intends bringing people together to debate, as a follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg on key environmental issues of sustainable consumption and production, renewable energy & (...)

EU prepares response to biological or chemical terrorist attack

Policymakers around the world are increasing their planning activities to deal with a potential biological or chemical attack.
What to do in a chemical attack
The European Commission has issued practical guidance for the public about the what do to in the event of a chemical attack. The information is meant to help people understand how to prepare themselves and to make it easier for emergency services to act. The EU has said that this is part of their general approach to civil protection (...)

National Allocation Plans for EU emissions trading

The European Commission received on the 31th of March the draft National Allocation Plans (NAPs) from each Member State, as required by the EU Directive on the Emission Trading System (EU-ETS).
The Directive links the EU greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme with the Kyoto project mechanisms. The Emissions Trading System (ETS) adopted last year is a central pillar of Europeans climate change policy.
Based on the criteria set in a Communication providing guidance to governments for the (...)

Environment Council conclusions, 27 October 2003

Conclusions of the Environment Council meeting of Monday 27 October 2003 in Luxemburg.
The Council adopted positions on
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) The Council reached agreement on a political compromise text from the Presidency for a Draft Directive to reduce emissions of VOCs from organic solvents in certain paints, varnishes and vehicle refinishing products. Greece abstained. These compounds are linked to harmful ground-level ozone. The Directive sets maximum limits on organic (...)

EP Changes Greenhouse Gas Trading Scheme

Last Wednesday, 2 July, the European Parliament paved the way for industry to trade greenhouse gas emission rights as of 2005.
The new rules will create an EU market in greenhouse gas emissions in an attempt to protect the environment.
The proposal by the Commission to include all greenhouse gases and not just carbon dioxide, and to widen the range of industries covered by the new legislation was supported by the EP in the second reading of the new rules.
Please find attached the Report (...)

World Health Day 2003

"Healthy Environments for Children" is the title of this year’s World Health Day, which will take place on April 7.
EPHA will also be launching its booklet, "A Healthier Future for Europe’s Children" which includes comments from WHO Europe’s Regional Director, Marc Danzon, and Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom.
EPHA aims to widely disseminate this booklet on April 7 to national and European press and other contacts, and generate as much media interest as possible. (...)

A critique of EU subsidies for tobacco farmers

The issue of EU subsidies for tobacco farmers is more complex and is linked to the historical traditions of the CAP, the specific circumstances of the small farms that grow tobacco and a political support for maintaining rural agricultural communities.
Through the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), the EU provides about 1 billion Euros per year (1% of the EU budget) to European farmers to grow tobacco, much of which is destined for cigarettes in the developing world.
In 2002, a reform of the (...)

Strengthening health systems to control the health effects of climate change, report says

The WHO/Europe’s publication entitled "Protecting health in Europe from climate change" urges European countries to strengthen their health system to respond to health threats due to climate change.
It is generally accepted by the scientific community that climate change affects health through changing weather patterns and altering ecosystems. These aspects are crucial determinants of availability and quality of necessary resources such as water, food and air that shape livelihoods.
The (...)

Burning issues: RIP cemeteries or RIP cigarettes, which option is the EU going to take?

The European Union is falling behind other jurisdictions in terms of protecting its children and older citizens. One measure that would reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and fires, across Europe - an ignition propensity standard for cigarettes - have been implemented in other countries and should be introduced In Europe without delay.
In all countries where data is available, cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths. In the EU25, at least 1,000 people, including children and (...)

The extent of pollution in people!

After having focused for decades on the pollution of air, water and earth, the scientific society have showed interest for other polluted places that had been ignored until today: people.
Last January, American researchers revealed that chemical contaminants have been found in the bodies of new Americans.
This project has been developed in collaboration between the School of Medicine of Mt Sinai (New York) and the NGOs Commonweal (California) and the Environmental Working Group (...)