HCWH Europe Recruiting Communication Intern Feb to Apr 2013

Health Care Without Harm Europe is recruiting a Communication Intern for a three-month period from Feb to April 2013. more 

France’s Important Move Towards Phasing Out Phthalates in Medical Devices

Today France passed a law that for the first time bans the use of tubes containing di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in paediatrics, neonatology and maternity wards in hospitals. more 

Pollute and Monitor – Pharmaceuticals in Water

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted on a Commission’s legislative proposal that adds 15 new chemicals to a list of 33 identified hazardous chemicals (“priority substances list”) and sets safe concentration limits in water for them.  more 

The 389 European companies producing the SIN List chemicals

Excerpt: "Last week ChemSec publishes the SIN Producers List, listing the 389 companies producing or importing SIN List chemicals in Europe. Along with information on which SIN List chemicals these companies produce in volumes of 10 tonnes per year or more, the SIN Producers List also highlights how many of these are currently on the REACH candidate list."  more 

BPA exposure 'alters breast development in unborn girls'

Excerpt: "Pregnant women exposed to synthetic bisphenol A (BPA) could give birth to girls who are at a greater risk of suffering from breast cancer later in life, a maternal and newborn health study has shown."  more 

European Chemicals Agency to propose six new REACH chemicals

Excerpt: "The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is preparing dossiers recommending six chemicals are added to the REACH regulation's candidate list this year. "  more 

Healthy & Sustainable Flooring, choosing resilient flooring for the European healthcare sector

Choosing the ‘right’ floor can be a challenge for procurers and facility managers in hospitals, affecting staff, patients and visitors alike, as the floor is one of the most extensive and visible parts of the healthcare environment and a long-term decision that cannot easily be reversed.  more 

INGES_nano_silver_report

Summary more 

Acting Now for Better Health: A 30% Target for EU Climate

This report sets out new evidence of how higher targets on greenhouse gas emission reductions in the European Union, as part of policy to mitigate climate change, would bring about health gains for Member States and European citizens. more 

Healthy Hospitals, Healthy Planet, Healthy People: Addressing Climate Change in Health Care Settings

(Discussion Draft) This 32-page discussion draft produced by the World Health Organization and Health Care Without Harm says that the healthcare sector can lead the way against climate change. A radical overhaul of energy consumption in healthcare must take place if Europe is to meet a target of an 80% cut in carbon emissions by 2050. A new report by HCWH and the World Health Organization shows how the health sector can improve energy efficiency and adopt greener approaches to its services. more 

GGHC's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing: Food Credit Technical Briefing

(GGHC Food Service Credits 1 to 7) This 12-page document, also known as the GGHC v2.2 revised 2008 Food Service section, encourages healthy food purchasing for health care facilities in several ways: 1) adopting a sustainable food policy and plan; 2) educational outreach both to facility staff and the surrounding community; 3) local, sustainably produced food purchasing; 4) use of reusable and environmentally preferred non-reusable food service ware items; 5) support of local farms, farmers’ markets, and community supported agriculture; 6) food donation and waste reduction; 7) alignment of food vendor options with the facility’s healthy, sustainable food program. more