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Hazardous substances in Europe's fresh and marine waters — An overview: Chemicals are an essential part of our daily lives and are used to produce consumer goods, to protect or restore our health and to boost food production, to name but a few examples. Some chemicals, however, are hazardous, raising concerns for the environment and human health. Hazardous substances are emitted to fresh and marine waters via a number of pathways and can have detrimental effects on aquatic biota. Humans can be exposed to hazardous substances in water through the ingestion of contaminated drinking water and the consumption of contaminated freshwater fish and seafood. A wide range of legislation now exists in Europe to address the release of hazardous substances to the environment, including water. New challenges exist, however, including the issues of chemical mixtures and emerging pollutants.
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Hazardous substances in Europe’s fresh and marine waters – an overview: Hazardous substances in fresh and marine water can harm aquatic life and pose a risk to human health, according to a new report published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report notes that while European legislation to address the issue is relatively strong, new challenges exist including ‘emerging pollutants’ where potential effects are not yet fully understood. More effort is also needed to ensure that chemicals are produced and used more sustainably.
Located in News
Health impact of PM mass concentrations (µg/m3). Loss in statistical life expectancy (months) that can be attributed to anthropogenic contributions to PM2.5 for the year 2000 (left) and for 2020 (right) for the CAFE baseline scenario: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Health in a changing climate: In August 2007, local health authorities in Italy detected a high number of cases of an unusual illness in Castiglione di Cervia and Castiglione di Ravenna, two small villages divided by a river. Almost 200 people were affected and one elderly man died (Angelini et al., 2007).
Located in Signals — every breath we take › Signals 2011 › Articles
Human health - Theme image: Located in Environmental topics › Environment and health
Industrial air pollution cost Europe up to €169 billion in 2009, EEA reveals: Air pollution from the 10,000 largest polluting facilities in Europe cost citizens between € 102 and 169 billion in 2009. This was one of the findings of a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) which analysed the costs of harm to health and the environment caused by air pollution. Half of the total damage cost (between € 51 and 85 billion) was caused by just 191 facilities.
Located in Press room › News
Infant death (under 1 year) per 10 000 live births due to selected causes in EECCA countries: Abstract: infant death (under 1 year) per 10 000 live births due to selected causes (all causes, respiratory diseases, infectious and parasitic diseases) in 1995 and 2004 in the EECCA countries
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Key message 5 — SOER synthesis: Environment, health and quality of life — Water and air pollution have declined but not enough to achieve good ecological quality in all water bodies or to ensure good air quality in all urban areas. Widespread exposure to multiple pollutants and chemicals and concerns about long-term damage to human health together imply the need for more large-scale pollution prevention programmes and the use of precautionary approaches.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › The European environment – state and outlook 2010: Synthesis › Key messages
Late lessons II Chapter 4 - Too much to swallow PCE contamination of mains water: Located in Publications › Late lessons from early warnings: science, precaution, innovation › Chapters
Life expectancy and healthy life years at birth in EU-27, Iceland and Norway in 2007, by gender: -
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs