Europe Embarks on Environment and Health Action Plan

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 10, 2004 (ENS) - The European Commission has launched an action plan to reduce diseases caused by a polluted environment. The plan, which covers the period 2004-2010, involves setting up a system for improved cooperation between health, environment and research sectors on a scale not achieved before.

The plan, introduced by the EU executive Wednesday, would develop an EU system integrating information on the state of the environment, the ecosystem and human health. It will also address emerging issues such as the effect of climate change on health.

The plan focuses on better understanding the link between environment and health and establishing how environmental exposure leads to epidemiological effects. Measures include monitoring of health indicators, the environment and the different routes through which people are exposed to contaminants.

It looks at the feasibility of human biomonitoring at the European Union level, monitoring of blood, urine or hair samples to measure exposure to environmental pollutants.

A few of the 1.5 million Europeans in Berlin for the Love Parade 1999. (Photo courtesy Arto Teräs)

"As individuals we can make certain choices about our lifestyles which affect our health, but we cannot select the quality of air we breathe or always protect ourselves from exposure to pollutants that may build up in our bodies – sometimes even before we are born," said Wallstrom.

Research on four priority diseases - asthma and allergies, neuro-developmental disorders, cancers, and endocrine disruption - are part of the plan, which has the full support of Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin.

“To prevent environment related disease it is essential to understand and quantify the underlying causes and related risk factors," Busquin said. "To achieve this goal, a challenging approach for European research has been outlined in the action plan. This array of research actions is expected to lead to a much deeper understanding of environmental health risks.”

The plan calls for the raising of public awareness about the risks affecting citizens, as well as the training of professionals in environment and health issues.

David Byrne, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection said, "Our health is our wealth, and a clearer understanding of the overall environmental impact on human health will be welcomed by citizens."

"Our Environment and Health Action Plan is science based," Byrne said, "and the follow-up process transparent so that all stakeholders can play a full part in the debate.”

EU government officials will be able to draw conclusions from the improved information flow, said Byrne, "allowing us to review and adjust risk reduction policy, and improve communication."

The effects of pollutants on young Europeans is about to get increased attention. (Photo courtesy FreeFoto)

Every year, unhealthy environments cause the death of over five million children worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, which says, "The effects of a degraded environment on children's health raise increasing concern."

Commissioner Pavel Telicka of the Czech Republic said, “Protecting the health of our children from a deteriorating environment is a long term priority. The new Commission will continue to take the lead in the action for children together with the WHO.”

European ministers are expected to reach consensus in Budapest and make political commitments to ensure safer environments for children, through the adoption of a Conference declaration and of a Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe.