“A non-toxic environment should be understood as an environment that is free from chemical pollution and of exposures to hazardous chemicals at levels that are harmful to human health and to the environment. This target would take into consideration the need to provide vulnerable groups with as much protection as possible, to take account of potential delays between exposure and disease expression, to prevent accumulations of very persistent substances to ensure the quality of material flows foreseen as part of the Circular Economy“
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) released its vision for Europe leading the transition towards a non-toxic environment and called on the European Commission to finally draw its long promised strategy for a non-toxic environment. For that, HEAL recommends 12 priorities actions.
HEAL’s vision for Europe leading the way towards a non-toxic environment
- put vulnerable population groups (e.g., pregnant women, children, adolescents, the elderly) first,
- reduce chemical exposure across sources, taking into account chemicals’ lifecycle and disposal,
- tackle endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) beyond pesticides and biocides (e.g., in toys, food contact materials, cosmetics),
- take on flame retardants,
- tackle per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs),
- address excessive use of pesticides,
- accelerate identification of substances of very high concern (SVHCs),
- translate identification of SVHCs across all other relevant legislations,
- address exposure to chemical mixtures,
- improve knowledge generation and communication,
- involve the health community in the strategy for better disease prevention,
- and implement consumers’ right to know
Brussels, 7 June 2018 press release.