|
 |
| |
| In this issue |
|
|
|
| |
| Editorial |
|
The snow and ice has Europe in its grip and if you are trying to get to your family and loved ones and are stuck at the airport, train or car, we may realise that nothing is as it is used to be. Extraordinary times challenge us to question our systems and assumptions and force us to think differently, hopefully finding solutions that are in unity with the earth systems.
Climate change does not just mean rise of the average temperature, but also brings us extreme weather and colder winters. Hopefully you can use the festive season to rest and find new innovative solutions in how we tackle the challenges ahead of us.
Our members and organisations that contact us are our inspiration to green healthcare and work with doctors, nurses, politicians and interested parties to challenge and change the way we work.
Below you find a round up of the latest news stories. Write to us and share your news in the next issue, but for now I wish us all a very happy festive season and a successful 2011. We look forward continuing working with you.
Best wishes,
Anja Leetz
Executive Director – HCWH Europe |
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
| Conferences |
|
Brussels: High Level Expert Conference to Take Place
The 19th International Conference on Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services June 1st -3rd of June, 2011 in Turku, Finland focuses on improving health gain orientation in all services, better cooperation for continuity in care. Plenary session 4 will focus on ecological sustainability. We would like to encourage you to submit an abstract until January 31, 2011. Find out more or register
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amsterdam: 2nd European Medical Waste Conference
The European Medical Waste Institute is organizing the second medical waste conference, February 8th& 9th, 2011 for hospital staff, researchers, consultants and governmental staff. The conference will have general open presentations and discussions as well subject specific session for authorities, on education and for industry. Find out more or register |
|
|
|
|
|
|
London: wastewatch Conference
wastewatch (HCWH Europe member) is holding a conference for communities and organisations, private and public sector on March 24th, 2011 on London. Under the motto: How can we create a sustainable society in an age of austerity?
The conference will showcase real–life examples of what communities have already achieved and what community empowerment means in practise. Find out more or register |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| EU Policy Development |
|
|
European Council Decides to Keep Hazardous Biocides
20thDecember 2010
The Environment Council of the European Union adopted its political agreement on a new authorization system for household pesticides and other biocides. HCWH and other environment and health NGOs criticize the EU environment ministers’ approach because their decision will allow continued wide circulation of highly toxic consumer products on the market. more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
HCWH Comments on the EU Mercury Strategy
10thDecember 2010
Environmental and Health NGOs are deeply disappointed by the European Commission’s decision not to propose new restrictions on mercury until a global treaty is signed, in the recently adopted revised EU Mercury Strategy. more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancun: Climate Change and Health Statement
6thDecember 2010
In the run up to Cancun several leading health organisations published a Cancun Climate Change and Health Statement. This statement has been distributed to the UNFCCC national focal points and health and environment ministers. Read full statement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
European Environment Agency: Europe Can Have Both – Butterflies and Business
30thNovember 2010
The European Environment Agency (EEA) released its fourth Environment State and Outlook report – SOER 2010 – a comprehensive assessment of how and why Europe’s environment is changing, and what we are doing about it.
SOER 2010 concludes that a fully integrated approach to transforming Europe to a resource–efficient green economy can not only result in a healthy environment, but also boost prosperity and social cohesion. more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
BPA: European Commission Announced a Ban for BPA in Baby Bottles to Take Effect in 2011
25th November 2010
As we reported in our news in October 2010, EFSA found no need to protect the public from exposure to Bisphenol A. As a surprise to many came the announcement from the EU Commission to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles.
HCWH thinks that BPA in baby bottles in only the tip of the iceberg. Bisphenol A is one of the world's most commonly used chemicals, found in many applications, such as in food containers and medical equipment. Concerns are growing about its effects on human health when it is ingested into the body via contact with bottles, tin cans and other material. HCWH will monitor future development on BPA. more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chemical Pollution: World Medical Association General Assembly Resolution on Mercury and Chemicals
18th October 2010
At the annual General Assembly of the World Health Medical Association 13th-16th October 2010 chemical contamination of the environment was discussed and experts expressed concern on the harmful effects on global public health. In a statement it urged national medical associations to press for legislation to reduce chemical pollution and human exposure to chemicals. Swedish Doctors for the Environment (HCWH Europe member) have been very active in getting this discussed and adopted. more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
BFRs: Scientist Statement on Brominated Flame Retardants
September 2010
This consensus statement expresses concerns over brominated and chlorinated flame retardants as a class. Nearly 150 scientists from 22 countries signed this statement and it has been published in the December edition of Environmental Health Perspectives. more |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| News From Our HCWH Europe Members |
|
UK: Barts and the London Shortlisted for Best Carbon Reduction Strategy in Acute Care
The Trust's work to reduce carbon emissions has been recognized in the 2010 Building Better Healthcare Awards, in which the hospital has been selected as a finalist in the category of Best Carbon Reduction Strategy in Acute Care.
Being shortlisted for the award recognizes Barts and The London as one of five trusts in the UK leading the way in carbon reduction in the NHS. Between April 2009 and April 2010, the Trust saved nearly 3,000 tons of carbon the equivalent of heating 963 average sized UK households for an entire year. This was achieved by:
- Refurbishing the boiler house at Barts saving 1842 tons of CO2.
- Installing Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) onto all boilers at The Royal London, allowing them to use less power saving 76 tons of CO2.
- Steam trap repair and replacement across The Royal London saving 235 tons of CO2.
- Replacing lighting at The Royal London with energy efficient versions saving 14 tons of CO2.
The Trust invested £627,000 in these projects, but will save £350,000 annually as a result of the work. Congratulations from the HCWH team! more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sweden: ChemSec Plans to Update SIN List to Have More Chemicals Controlled Under REACH
During spring 2011 ChemSec will launch the 2.0 version of the SIN List. The Substitute it Now (SIN) List names chemicals of high concern that should be controlled under REACH.
The list is an inspiration for companies and governments encouraging them to add more substances to be regulated under REACH. The updated version will include an extended number of substances added to the list based on the "equivalent concern" criteria in REACH. That is substances that are not classified as CMRs (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction) or PBTs (persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic), but which nonetheless give rise to an equivalent level of concern, in terms of potential damage caused. Examples of REACH equivalent concern substances are endocrine disruptors or chemicals that are persistent or bio-accumulate, but do not indicate high levels of toxicity. more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
UK: Campaign for Greener Healthcare
The NHS Forest will plant 65,000 Trees as part of the new national tree-planting campaign "The Big Tree Plant". The campaign started December 2nd to mark the Tree Council's National Tree Week. The Campaign is looking for 25 hospitals and GP practices throughout the UK to take part. more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notice: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for research and educational purposes. As all these articles are public, some links might expire after some days after their release date.
|
|
|
To unsuscribe click here
|
