Environmental Agency Research Articles

Future-Oriented Science Learning and its Effects on Students’ Emotions, Futures Literacy and Agency in the Anthropocene

AbstractScience education bears the broader objective of nurturing students today to be scientifically-literate citizens of tomorrow who are able to foresee challenges, invent solutions and make responsible decisions for global issues. As a prelude to the new focus of agency in the Anthropocene, this paper presents an intervention on climate change with upper secondary students in a museum of natural history in England. Instructional strategies such as infusing scenarios and arts into scientific discussions were adopted to induce imagination, future-oriented thinking and emotional responses. Statistical results showed that the intervention significantly enhanced participants’ futures literacy, environmental agency and positive emotions. However, it did not increase their interests in learning science in out-of-school context. Implications of this study will shed light on futurising science and climate education in research and practice.

Observational study of ground-level ozone and climatic factors in Craiova, Romania, based on one-year high-resolution data.

Air pollution is a multifaceted issue affecting people's health, environment, and biodiversity. Gaining comprehension of the interactions between natural and anthropocentric pollutant concentrations and local climate is challenging. This study aims to address the following two questions: (1) What is the influential mechanism of climatic and anthropogenic factors on the ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations in an urban environment during different seasons? (2) Can the ozone weekend effect be observed in a medium-sized city like Craiova, and under which conditions? In order to answer these questions, ozone interactions with meteorological parameters (temperature, pressure, relative humidity) and pollutant concentrations (particulate matter, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide and carbon monoxide) is evaluated based on a one-year dataset given by a low-cost sensor and one-year dataset provided by the National Environment Agency. Using two statistical analysis programs, Python and SPSS, a good understanding of the correlations between these variables and ozone concentration is obtained. The SPSS analysis underscores the significant impact of three meteorological factors and nine other pollutants on the ozone level. A positive correlation is noticed in the summer when sunlight is intense and photochemical reactions are elevated. The relationship between temperature and ozone concentration is strong and positive, as confirmed by Spearman's rho correlation coefficient (r = 0.880). A significant negative correlation is found between relative humidity and ozone (r = -0.590). Moreover, the analysis shows that particulate matter concentrations exhibit a significant negative correlation with ozone (r ≈ -0.542), indicating that higher particulate matter concentrations reduce ozone levels. Volatile organic compounds show a significant negative correlation with ozone (r = -0.156). A negative relationship between ozone and carbon dioxide (r = -0.343), indicates that elevated carbon dioxide levels might also suppress ozone concentrations. A significant positive correlation between nitrogen dioxide and ozone (r = 0.060), highlights the role of nitrogen dioxide in the production of ozone through photochemical reactions. However, nitric oxide shows a negative correlation with ozone (r = -0.055) due to its role in ozone formation. Carbon monoxide has no statistically significant effect on ozone concentration. To observe the differences between weekdays and weekends, T-Test was used. Even though significant differences were observed in temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide and carbon monoxide levels between weekdays and weekends, the T-Test did not highlight a significant weekend ozone effect in a mid-sized city as Craiova. Using Python, the daily values were calculated and compared with the limit values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Environment Agency (EEA). The WHO O3 recommended levels were exceeded for 13 times in one year. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of ozone pollution in a mid-sized city as Craiova, serving as a valuable reference for local decision-makers. It provides critical insights into the seasonal dynamics of ozone levels, emphasizing the significant role of temperature in ozone formation and the complex interactions between various pollutants and meteorological factors.

Exploiting Legal Reserve Compensation as a Mechanism for Unlawful Deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado Biome, 2012–2022

This research investigates the illegal Vegetation Suppression Authorization (VSA) for Legal Reserve Compensation (LRC) in Tocantins, Brazil, between 2012 and 2014. The VSA is a license issued by state environmental agencies that authorizes the removal or clearing of native vegetation. This infraction resulted from the state environmental agency’s mistaken interpretation of Resolution 07/2005 of the State Environmental Council and the Native Vegetation Protection Law, which operates nationally and takes precedence over state resolutions and laws. The study area focuses on eight municipalities contained in the Formoso, Pium, and Javaés river basins. The methodology examines irregular VSA-LRC cases through geospatial data analysis, multitemporal analysis using remote sensing data, and economic assessments in both the origin and destination areas of the compensatory reserve. The results showed that among the 217 VSA-LRC applications during the period, 93 had corresponding geospatial data, indicating that 57.1% of the geospatial data were missing. This discrepancy between the authorized area and the available geospatial information restricts the oversight capability of the regulatory agency. A decade-long deforestation analysis of VSA-LRCs using remote sensing data considered three phases: 2012–2014 (application and issuance of VSA-LRCs), 2015–2018 (operational issuance), and 2019–2022 (post-expiration of VSA-LRCs). The results revealed a total VSA-LRC area of 343.291 km2 (34,329.10 ha), with 229.1169 km2 (22,911.69 ha) of deforestation. Notably, 54.877 km2 (5487.70 ha) of this deforestation occurred in 2019–2022, after the VSA-LRC had expired. The analysis of the LRC origin and destination areas demonstrates a unidirectional strategy, from economically more valuable areas to less valuable ones, according to land market dynamics. Therefore, this investigation concludes the need for greater administrative transparency, the development of a reliable geospatial data system for monitoring, and policy changes and actions to enhance environmental protection.

Challenges And Perspectives Of Electrical And Electronic Equipment Waste Management In The Republic Of Guinea

Most developing countries face enormous challenges in implementing sustainable waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management systems. Informal WEEE management practices in the Republic of Guinea have become a major challenge for the government and various stakeholders due to their impacts on the environment and health. The review article presents a close link between the WEEE and household solid waste (HSW) management system in Guinea, based on legislative and policy documents, research studies and reports published by national and international organizations, Directives and Conventions, and Ministry decrees. The article discusses topics such as the legal and regulatory framework, the current situation of HSW management and WEEE, the flow of the Guinean market for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), and a strategic year of sustainable WEEE management in Guinea. The study results indicate that the country lacks effective strategies covering all stages of the product life cycle, particularly at the end of life. Economic and financial limitations are the important obstacles to WEEE formalization. Establishing resourced environmental government agencies for effective monitoring and auditing and appropriate sustainable WEEE management practices is the most important way forward.

Dynamics of metal/metalloid bioaccumulation and sensitivity in post-larvae shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) exposed to settleable atmospheric particulate matter from an industrial source

The metallurgy industry is a potent global source of particulate matter (PM) atmospheric emissions. A portion of this PM may settle in aquatic (SePM) carrying metal/metalloid particles and metallic nanoparticles. Surprisingly, this form of contamination has not received due attention from most environmental monitoring agencies. We analyzed the effect of exposure to SePM on shrimp post-larvae, a critical stage for the viability of shrimp populations and for the trophic chain. After acclimation, shrimp were exposed to contaminants using a randomized experimental design—a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement with 2 factors: exposure time (24, 48, 72, and 96 h) and SePM concentration (0.00, 0.01, 0.10, and 1.00 g L−1). The bioaccumulation of metals, contamination rates, mortality, and ROS-related biomarkers (lipid peroxidation – LPO; DNA strand breakage DNA SB and metallothionein content – MTs;) were evaluated. After contamination, the water contained 27 different metals/metalloids. Post-larvae accumulated metals, such as Cd, Pb, Al, As, Se, Sr, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, W, and Hg. However, the rise in SePM did not result in a proportional bioaccumulation rise, indicating that effective biological barriers may work for some metals. Although the different levels of SePM changed mortality dynamics, they resulted in a similar final lethality (60–80 %). SePM caused significant damage to lipids (increased LPO), genetic material (DNA SB), and increased Mts. Such effects may reflect a particularly deleterious ecological problem as it is present at such an early stage of life. These results identified a clear environmental risk since the lower level of exposure used was 102 times lower than that measured in the habitats affected by local industry. Consequently, our results emphasize the need for clear protocols for monitoring the effects of SePM in aquatic environments.

THE OBLIGATION TO RECOMPOSE THE DELETED AREA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION AND FEDERAL INFRACONSTITUTIONAL LEGISLATION

This paper aims to emphasize the obligation to restore areas of native vegetation that have been removed without authorization from the competent environmental agency, in accordance with the 1988 Federal Constitution and other infra-constitutional federal legal norms, especially the 2012 Forest Code. For this paper, for areas of native vegetation, only the areas of Legal Reserve and Permanent Preservation Areas were considered. The methodology used was a bibliographical research, in which authors who made the topic relevant beyond federal legislation and the Federal Constitution were sought. It was found that the obligation to restore is “propter rem”, with the holder of the use of the property being obliged to restore the removed or degraded area, even if it was not the cause of the environmental liability. The areas of Legal Reserve and Permanent Preservation must contain a minimum percentage defined in accordance with the 2012 Forest Code, depending on the condition of the rural property before or after June 22, 2008 and also depending on the size of the property. It is noted that the national legal system has a specific law for the recovery of degraded areas, which is the National Policy for the Recovery of Degraded Areas. Thus, it is the duty of the public authorities and the community to maintain an ecologically balanced environment, and the restoration of suppressed or degraded areas is one of these duties.

Partisipasi Masyarakat Dalam Penataan Ruang Terbuka Hijau di Kota Serang

This research specifically examined the arrangement of Green Open Space (RTH) in Serang City, its main purpose was to maintain the balance of ecosystems in the urban environment, improve the quality of the environment in the city to be healthier and cleaner, and be able to realize the balance between the natural environment and the artificial environment. This research uses the George C. Edward III theory, which states that communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucratic structure influence the success of policy implementation. The research method was carried out to reveal the truth or conclusion about an object and can be used as a basis for theory formation. The method used in this research was qualitative research methods. According to Bogdan and Taylor (in Farida, 2014: 89), qualitative research methods are research procedures that produce descriptive data in the form of written or spoken words from people or observed behavior. Based on the results of research on the Implementation of Green Open Space (RTH) Arrangement Policy in Serang City, researchers conclude that the implementation of the Green Open Space Arrangement policy in Serang City has not progressed sufficiently well. Green Open Space in Serang City has not reached 30% of the target. Whereas, there are still several other obstacles experienced in carrying out the Green Open Space Arrangement Policy in Serang City, among others; socialization activities carried out by the Environmental Agency of Serang City have not run optimally but the DLH continues to strive for this socialization activity so that the community was able to participate in Green Open Space Arrangement in Serang City.

Identifying freshwater invertebrate taxa susceptible to AChE-acting pesticides

Globally pesticide use has been associated with negative impacts on riverine invertebrate communities, but chronic exposure effects to most specific groups of pesticides are not well understood. In this paper, we sought to identify invertebrate species most vulnerable to effects of AChE-acting pesticides in UK rivers for potential application in environmental monitoring. We did this using a combination of the conservation of molecular target for AChE-acting pesticides (identified using the SeqAPass tool), laboratory-based toxicity data, and both biological traits and life history information. We then applied this information to assess for evidence of impacts on these riverine invertebrate communities in the Anglian region of England where there is high pesticide use. Sensitive genera to AChE-acting pesticides included Aedes, Anopheles, Cloeon, Ischnura, and the tolerant genera were Culex, Daphnia, Lymnaea. Using the UK Environment Agency's biota monitoring data spanning over period of 28 years (1984–2011) we evidence absence of the taxa most sensitive to AChE-acting pesticides (Ischnura, Aedes and Anopheles) but presence of AChE pesticide tolerant taxa (Lymnaea) at riverine sites in the Anglian region with high AChE pesticide use.

Challenges of environmental impact assessment in addressing environmental risk: insights from Brazilian practice in mining dams

ABSTRACT Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Risk Assessment (RA) are critical tools for assessing and managing environmental impacts and risks of projects. However, their integration remains a challenge. This study examines how EIA practices account for risks in evaluating the environmental feasibility of mining dam projects in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We analyzed licensing processes for projects approved between 2004 and 2022, using data from the state’s environmental agency. Methods included documentary and content analysis of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and review reports. Among the 25 cases analyzed, most focused solely on risk control without performing RA. Only two cases included RA, and two others lacked any risk-related information. Review reports revealed that only two went beyond considering risk control when assessing environmental feasibility. This suggests decision-making relies on a narrow focus on risk control. Furthermore, there is a misalignment between the EIS content and the criteria for project acceptability in review reports. Finally, we explore how politicization may undermine the EIA’s role in objective, and evidence-based decision-making. These findings underscore the superficial and fragmented approach to addressing environmental risk in mining dam assessments in Minas Gerais.

From the first European Climate Risk Assessment to action in policy and practice

Abstract The first European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA), produced by the European Environment Agency in March 2024, engaging nearly 100 authors across Europe, highlights health among the most at-risk sectors. According to the structured risk assessment that was conducted to support the transparent identification of priorities for policy action, more and urgent action is needed to reduce health risks from heat indoors and outdoors; from wildfires and outbreaks of vector- and water-borne diseases. The responsibility for managing risks lies both with the EU and Member States, and the policy readiness varies depending on the risk. The European Climate and Health Observatory, set up to better understand, anticipate and prevent climate risks to human health in Europe, in the most recent report ‘Responding to climate change impacts on human health in Europe: focus on floods, droughts and water quality’ provides in-depth analyses of some climate-related risks to health and presents examples of responses to them in both policy and practice. Both assessments emphasise that without fast and systemic action to increase societal resilience, the health impacts of the changing climate will worsen, affecting already disadvantaged or vulnerable groups the most. Health and health-determining sectors have the opportunity to address the health impacts of climate change by, among others, increasing the climate resilience of health systems; developing, updating and implementing national health adaptation plans; and supporting the education and training of public health and healthcare professionals on climate change threats. At the same time, addressing health impacts from climate extremes requires responses across sectors, actors and spatial scales.

8.E. Skills building seminar: Methods for measuring the true health cost of pollution

Abstract Healthy environments are essential for physical and mental wellbeing. Air pollution is considered to be one of the most significant environmental risk factors for ill health and premature death within the European Union. Poor air and noise quality have been linked to the exacerbation of symptoms, hospital admissions, and even premature deaths, especially for those with cardiorespiratory diseases. The associated medical costs and productivity losses therefore also impose a large economic cost. Exposure to environmental stressors disproportionately affects socially disadvantaged groups, and therefore contributes to the large socioeconomic inequities in health observed persistently in Europe. The EU has prioritised action on causes of pollution. For example, its Green Deal outlines ambitious plans to address climate challenges such as pollution and align air quality ambitions closer to the World Health Organization guidelines. Likewise, the European Environmental Agency routinely monitors the mortality burden associated with air pollution, while the impact of environmental noise on European citizens is examined through the Environmental Noise Directive. While in the political scene there is interest to advance the reduction of pollution, efforts are hindered by the lack of an harmonized methodology to quantify the socioeconomic cost of environmental stressors. Currently, researchers working with the burden of disease framework face many challenges in its application in the context of environmental stressors. Among others, these challenges include unmet data needs and major lack of transparency in methodological developments. In this skills-building seminar, we will outline an integrated approach for measuring the true health cost of pollution. This approach is currently being trialled in the EU-funded BEST-COST project, which sets out to improve methodologies for understanding the socioeconomic cost of environmental stressors, focusing on air and noise pollution. The project brings together a consortium of 17 partners from Europe and the USA, and is led by Sciensano, the Belgian institute for health. Through a synergy of theoretical outlines and real-life examples, seminar participants will gain methodological insights in the three key components of this integrated approach - i.e., the quantification of the health burden of environmental stressors via comparative risk assessment, the monetization of Disability-Adjusted Life Years to assess economic impact, and the quantification of environmental health inequalities via a novel area-level based framework. Key messages • There are significant unmet needs with respect to both data and methodologies for quantifying the socioeconomic cost of environmental stressors. • We outline an integrated approach for measuring the true health cost of pollution, combining health burden, economic burden, and environmental health inequalities.

6.F. Scientific session: Understanding the impact of climate change on health: the latest reports from EEA and NPHIs

Abstract Climate change poses a significant threat to human life and wellbeing worldwide. Extreme weather events like heatwaves, storms or floods can have adverse impacts on health, as can many other factors influenced by climate change, such as allergens, UV radiation and vector-borne diseases. In order to support the action needed to protect and promote health and wellbeing, many National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) aim to keep relevant stakeholders informed on the scientific evidence of the impacts of climate change on health. Reports that synthesise the evidence can help in the development of suitable and health-relevant climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. In this workshop, European Environment Agency assessments on climate and health are presented, including the European Climate Risk Assessment Report and recent outputs of the European Climate and Health Observatory. Next, three NPHIs introduce their recent national reports on the impact of climate change on health, sharing lessons learned and valuable insights into their content, process and reception, highlighting similarities and differences. The workshop will feature presentations by NPHIs from the United Kingdom (UK Health Security Agency), Germany (Robert Koch Institute), and the Netherlands (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) as well as the European Climate and Health Observatory. The perspective of the European Climate and Health Observatory offers Europe-wide insights as a provider of tools and knowledge that support actions from NPHIs and other health actors. Our aim is to highlight the value of such reports, and inform and inspire NPHIs and other stakeholders that may be considering the publication of similar reports. The format of the workshop will be informative and interactive, with opportunity for Q&A, discussion, and engagement with the audience. By showcasing the recent reports, the workshop aims to increase awareness of climate change as a public health issue and establish NPHIs as key climate actors. Furthermore, it aims to highlight the importance of having a national, up-to-date evidence base to drive climate measures and enhance resilience. Key messages • National evidence-based reports on climate change and health are a useful tool for informing health-relevant climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. • Through the public health functions of surveillance, monitoring, responding and evaluating, NPHIs play a crucial role in collating and assessing the evidence on the health effects of climate change.

6.E. Practice session: Using European environmental data in public health: datasets and applications

Abstract The European Environment Agency collects, quality-assures and quality-checks data on environment, climate and sustainability. It does so through its network and other institutional partners across 38 European countries. Most of these validated environmental data are publicly available and many can be used by practitioners to assess environmental risks to the health of their communities, as well as for designing and evaluating policies’ effectiveness. The objective of this workshop is to provide public health practitioners and scientists with an overview of the EEA data streams of public health relevance, including on air pollution, noise, water pollution, industrial emissions and climate impacts, among others. It will also highlight existing examples of local and national assessments and communication products based on these data, as well as demonstrating how specifically data on air pollution can be used for a quick health impact evaluation. The format of the workshop will be a practice session of 60 minutes with four presentations, the last being a live example demonstration, and an ample session of questions and answers. Key messages • The EEA collects and publishes large, validated datasets of public health from across 38 member countries, including on air and water pollution, industrial emissions, noise and climate change. • These data can be directly used by practitioners to assess environmental risks to the health of their communities, and to design and evaluate policies, with publicly available models and tools.

Environmental and health databases used together for boosting a One Health approach

Abstract Publicly available European environment data, and specifically those collected and published by the European Environment Agency represent a great asset for environment and health researchers and practitioners. This presentation will summarize the use of such data for various environment and health projects and assessments at the National School of Public Health of NOVA University in Lisbon, Portugal.

Using EEA data to calculate health impacts of air pollution via the AirQ+ model: a practical example

Abstract The AirQ+ software tool for health risk assessment of air pollution, developed by the World Health Organization, helps quantify the effects of exposure to air pollution. Specifically, AirQ+ can estimate the effects of short-term changes in air pollution (based on risk estimates from time-series studies) and the effects of long-term exposures (using life-tables approach and based on risk estimates from cohort studies). AirQ+ is available in English, French, German and Russian. In this presentation, AirQ+ will be loaded with air pollution data from the European Environment Agency datasets for a quick evaluation of health effects from air pollution in an European city.

EEA data streams of public health relevance: the examples of air pollution, environmental noise and industrial emissions

Abstract The knowledge work of the European Environment Agency relies on high-quality data from our network and other institutional partners across 38 European countries. We collect, quality-assure and quality-check data on the environment, climate and sustainability, many of which are of high public health relevance. This presentation will summarize the most importance EEA datasets of public health relevance, including on air pollution, noise, industrial emissions, and others.

How ambient NO2 impacts the mortality burden of ischemic heart disease in Portugal (2011-2021)?

Abstract Background Air pollution is a major environmental risk to human health, contributing to premature death and disease. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a pollutant of significant public health concern, associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality, particularly in cardiovascular and respiratory deaths. In 2021, NO2 exposure exceeding the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines resulted in 69,000 deaths in the European Union. This study aims to estimate the impact of ambient NO2 exposure on ischemic heart disease (IHD) in Portugal, from 2011 to 2021, estimated in years of life lost (YLL). Methods Data on ambient NO2 levels were obtained from the Portuguese Environment Agency’s online database QualAr. Only monitoring stations that reported valid data for at least 75% of the time in a year were considered. The number of IHD mortality cases from 2011 to 2021 was sourced from Statistics Portugal. The burden of IHD attributed to NO2 exposure was estimated in YLL for the Portuguese population aged 25 years and older, categorized by five-years age groups, regions of mainland Portugal and sex, using the population attributable fraction (PAF). Results Between 2011 and 2021, mainland Portugal experienced a declining trend in NO2 mean levels, with occasional fluctuations. Regarding IHD YLL attributed to NO2 exposure, the same trend was followed with an overall decline over the study period. In total, 94,843.75 (95% CI 53,408.35-134,766.17) IHD YLL were attributed to NO2 exposure, with an estimated number of IHD YLLs higher for males than for females. Conclusions These findings underscore the significant impact of air pollution on human health. Despite an overall reduction in YLL across mainland Portugal, persistent health effects emphasize the need to reduce NO2 concentrations, with informed decision-making being crucial to mitigate these impacts and protect public health. Key messages • Ambient NO2 exposure significantly impacts ischemic heart disease mortality in Portugal. • These estimates underscore the necessity of well-informed decision-making to safeguard public health.

Burden of disease and socioeconomic deprivation in Germany – regional patterns and variations

Abstract Within the scope of the BURDEN 2020 project (Burden of disease in Germany at the National and Regional Level) carried out by Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in collaboration with the German Environmental Agency and AOK Scientific Institute, burden of disease estimates for Germany and its regions become available for the first time. The national estimates of YLL, YLD and DALY are provided not only stratified by age and sex, but also by detailed regional level (96 spatial planning regions). The regional estimates provide valuable information and support the evidence-based decisions in health policies aiming at reducing the burden of disease in the country. To facilitate further the interpretation and usability of these estimates, the provided indicators were linked to the regional information on deprivation. For this purpose, the German index of socioeconomic deprivation (GISD) was used. The index was developed at the RKI and the last revised version was published in 2022. It is based on nine indicators which reflect the three subdimensions of deprivation: education, employment, and income. That is why GISD is a very suitable index for evaluating regional health disparities. Connecting both informations on BoD and deprivation, gives deeper insides in the regional differences within the country. Some diseases exhibit east/west differences, while others show north/south patterns or rural/urban distinctions. These differences reflect the variation in the prevention and health care needs for the different diseases in Germany. The results underline the necessity to study the regional inequalities separately for each disease. Different health conditions are connected to variations in settings and outline different needs in intervention programs and allocation of means.

2.E. Round table: Building climate resilient health systems in the EU

Abstract Climate change is one of the biggest challenges for modern society. The health effects of climate change lead to negative impacts on European health systems, and conversely, European health systems contribute significantly to climate change. To overcome challenges posed by the climate crisis, European cooperation is essential. The interdependencies between climate change and public health and its broader impact underline the importance of resilience in European health systems, calling for concrete actions from both EU institutions and national governments. Additionally, the topic of resilient health systems currently ranks high on the European agenda, with the Belgian Presidency promoting health care strengthening as one of its six priorities. The European Commission will also continue its work on this issue for the next five years. The EU has already taken steps in this matter, such as the launch of the European Health Union and the adoption of the EU4Health Programme. However, in order to better prepare for climate resilient health systems, the EU must further develop in this regard. To explore this pressing issue, the round table discussion will focus on how EU actions in climate adaptation can synergistically contribute to the resilience of health systems. Resilience, often associated with adaptation, embodies the capacity to anticipate, withstand, and recover from shocks and stresses related to climate change. By delving into this question, the workshop seeks to uncover ways in which EU and Member State climate initiatives can reinforce health system resilience, thereby fostering a more adaptive and responsive health workforce and infrastructure. Featuring 4 panellists from Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Austrian National Public Health Institute, the Dutch Green Healthcare Alliance and the European Environment Agency, the round table will bring together diverse perspectives on this issue. The added value of the round table is laying out possible ways of how both the EU and Member States can contribute to enhancing the resilience of European health systems. After establishing the necessity for action, the round table discussion will focus on generating ideas to address climate change. Specifically, this discussion will cover examples of national policies, such as from the Netherlands, Austria, and other Member States. Also discussed will be the importance of monitoring and surveillance, and conducting a health and vulnerability assessment. This ensures better understanding of the relevant current and future health impacts, which will inform resilience measures. This will be followed by a discussion with the audience to formulate recommendations for improving the resilience of EU health systems for the next five years. Key messages • Climate change challenges European health systems, emphasising the need for European cooperation in resilience efforts. • Synergising climate adaptation with health system strengthening enhances EU’s capacity for resilience. Speakers/Panelists Chiara Cadeddu Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands Aleksandra Kazmierczak European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark Andrea Schmidt Austrian Public Health Institute, Vienna, Austria Juliette Mattijsen Groene Zorg Alliantie, Rotterdam, Netherlands

10.E. Scientific session: Confronting the hidden risks: unveiling the disease burden of chemicals in Europe

Abstract With increasing industrialization and globalization, Europe faces a complex landscape of chemical hazards, ranging from persistent organic pollutants like PFAS to foodborne chemicals and beyond. Understanding the extent of these exposures and their associated population health risks is crucial for environmental and health policy making across Europe. The burden of disease methodology, particularly through metrics such as Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), combined with economic costs, plays a crucial role in assessing and addressing the impacts of chemicals on population health. DALYs provide a comprehensive measure that quantifies both the years of life lost due to premature death and the years lived with disability, offering a holistic understanding of the disease burden caused by chemical exposures. Additionally, incorporating economic costs into the analysis enables the evaluation of the financial burden imposed by chemical-related illnesses on healthcare systems, productivity, and societal well-being. By leveraging the burden of disease methodology, stakeholders can make evidence-based decisions to protect health of populations and allocate resources effectively, ultimately promoting healthier environments and communities. Several global and European initiatives provide platforms for evidence generation, knowledge-sharing, and action to address the disease burden of chemicals. At the global level, the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group of the World Health Organization (WHO/FERG) has estimated the global burden of foodborne diseases, including those caused by chemical contaminants in foods. At European level, the health impact of PFAS and other chemicals of high concern is being spearheaded by the European Environment Agency’s European Topic Centre on Human Health and the Environment, and the European Partnership on the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC). Furthermore, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has established a project of an unprecedented scale to measure the economic value of the effects of chemicals on human health. Complementary to these international initiatives, various countries have started to unravel the burden of chemicals based on local data and contextual insights. In this workshop, we will present the state-of-the-art of the disease burden of chemicals, by bringing together insights from key international and national burden of disease initiatives, emphasizing the imperative of addressing the cost of policy inaction in safeguarding public health. We will also show how burden of disease estimates for chemicals can help to monitor the trends towards relevant environment and health goals such as those described in the EU’s zero pollution ambition. Through collaborative discussions and knowledge-sharing, we aspire to identify actionable strategies for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to effectively address these challenges and promote a healthier future for all. Key messages • Understanding the vital importance of chemical risks for European health, the utilization of DALY and economic costs reveals their true burden, guiding evidence-based policies. • Global, regional and national initiatives are examining the impacts of chemicals worldwide, contributing to evidence gathering and policy shaping.