Reducing your exposure to arsenic

• Avoid smoking as well as inhaling tobacco smoke passively
• If you use a well as a drinking water source, have it tested for arsenic
• Eat a well-balanced diet, alternating the consumption of rice with other grains like millet, quinoa, buckwheat, farro or bulgur. Cooking rice in excess water, which is then drained, can reduce inorganic arsenic content by 40 to 60%, although this also reduces the nutritional content (folate, iron, niacin, thiamine)
• Check the recommendations of your national government or paediatric associations for the nutrition of children. In some countries, young children under five are advised to avoid rice milk as a substitute for breast milk, infant formula or cow’s milk
• Make sure you and your children wash your hands often, especially before eating

The European Union has been taking actions to protect citizens from harmful exposures to arsenic. These include setting maximum levels for arsenic in certain foods and harmonizing requirements for arsenic in drinking water, as well as occupational safety requirements. Arsenic is regulated under EU chemicals legislation and the use of arsenic compounds is restricted under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). Arsenic is classified as toxic and carcinogenic under CLP (“Classification, Labelling and Packaging”) Regulation. 

For further information on arsenic, please visit the ‘HBM4EU Factsheet’ section.

Reducing your exposure to bisphenols

• Do not microwave plastic utensils containing Bisphends
• Limit using polycarbonate containers for hot food or drinks
• Do not use damaged plastic food containers
• Avoid infant exposure by choosing BPA-free child products
• Reduce consumption canned food
• Use glass or stainless-steel bottles
• Eat food from metal or ceramic plates
• Use a product only for the intended use

The European Union has taken action to reduce citizen’s exposure to BPA and to prevent regrettable substitution, such as banning BPA from baby bottles across the EY since 1 June 2011 and setting an amount of BPA that is allowed to leach out of toys for children up to the age of three and in any toys that are intended to be placed in a child’s mouth.

For further information on how the European Union is protecting citizens read the HBM4EU Bisphenols Factsheet.

Reducing your exposure to mercury

• Avoid using cosmetic products containing mercury
• Avoid heating alloys containing mercury
• Reduce the frequency of consuming large predatory fish and focus on smaller species of fish to maintain a healthy diet; be particularly prudent if pregnant or breastfeeding
• Be careful when handling products containing mercury (fluorescent lamps, old thermometers…) and dispose of them accordingly when damaged - wrapped in plastic and bring it to the local hazardous waste management center
• Ask your dentist about the alternatives for amalgam dental fillings
• Reduce occupational exposure by using protective gear

There are several policies in the European Union for protecting citizens from harmful exposure to mercury such as banning its use in industrial processes, products of daily use and in cosmetics. Moreover, there are legal limits for occupational exposure, mercury presence in fish and regulating mercury use in dentistry and lighting products.

For further information on mercury, please visit the ‘HBM4EU Factsheet’ section.

Reducing your exposure to pesticides

• Never remove labels from products
• Consider choosing organic food
• Consider consuming European commodities, as pesticide residues are often higher in products produced outside the EU and they can also contain pesticides that are not allowed for use in the EU
• Rinse fruits and vegetables before consuming them, remove the skin or outer leaves and wash your hands after touching unwashed fruits   and vegetables
• Use pesticide-free methods for pest prevention in your home and garden
• Prefer to use a physical barrier for avoiding mosquitoes
• To help control fleas without pesticides, comb pets with a flea comb, regularly bath pets with pesticide-free shampoo, and wash pet bedding

If you apply pesticides:

• Read and follow the label instructions for use, storage, and disposal
• Wear protective clothing and equipment
• Always keep children and pets away
• After you are done, wash your hands, face, and clothing

There are several policies in the European Union for protecting the public, workers and the environment from harmful exposures to pesticides such as restricting the use of certain pesticide active substances based on their level of toxicity. Other are related to setting maximum limits for pesticide residues in food, infant formulae, water for public consumption and in animal feed. The “Farm to Fork Strategy” sets an ambitious goal of pesticides by 50% and to reduce by at least 20% the use of fertilizers by 2030.

For further information on pesticides, please visit the ‘HBM4EU Factsheet’ section.

Reducing your exposure to PFAS

• Avoid fast-food wrapped in grease-proof papper.
• Avoid fast-food sold in PFAS-containing cardboard, such as pizza boxes.
• Avoid using optional waterproofing sprays on clothing and footwear.
• Ask for PFAS-free products when purchasing products that my contain PFAS. Ensure that products are free all PFAS (and not just PFOS and PFOA).
• Check whether a particular product contains PFAS or not in online applications. 

If you live in or near areas known to be contaminated by PFAS

• Avoid fishing and consuming fish from these areas.
• Avoid consuming home-grown fruits and vegetables from these areas.
• Ask local authorities to assess the PFAS levels to reassure yourself that it is free of PFAS.
• Please follow the advice from authorities for water use. 

The EU has taken action to reduce people's exposure to PFAS. For example, PFOS, its salts and derivatives as well as PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds are banned under the Regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The European Food Safety Authority has defined a limit for the volume of four PFAS that may be safely consumed in food in a one-week period. EU REACH restrictions are also adopted for PFHXS en C9-C14 PFAS and will be effective in the coming years for several uses. Also, the Drinking Water Directive sets limit values for PFAS in water for human consumption. Most recently, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability set out a range of actions to regulate PFAS as a group, including phasing out the use of PFAS in the EU, unless their use is essential.


For further information on how the European Union is protecting citizens read the “What EU does”, or read here for more information on “What PARC” does on PFAS.

HBM4EU studies found that some European children and adolescents exceeded health-based guidance values for certain phthalates, and combined exposure to mixtures remains a concern. 

Reducing your exposure to phthalates

• Avoid heating food in plastic containers
• Prefer glass, stainless steel, or ceramic food containers
• Ventilate indoor spaces regularly
• Reduce indoor dust by cleaning frequently
• Choose phthalate-free cosmetics and personal care products when possible
• Limit the use of soft plastic products for children
• Wash hands regularly, especially before eating
• Follow safety guidance when handling industrial products

EU Action

The European Union has introduced regulatory measures aimed at reducing human exposure to phthalates and their alternatives:

• Phthalates are regulated through a comprehensive chemicals safety framework that controls their manufacture, import, and use, with particularly strict oversight for substances associated with health risks.
• Some phthalates with hazardous properties (e.g., effects on reproduction and/or hormone systems) are identified as substances of high concern such as DEHP, DCHP, DiBP, DnBP, DnPEP, BBzP and DnHexP
• Their use is further restricted in certain consumer products, especially items intended for children, where only very low levels are permitted or their use is not allowed in order to reduce potential health risks, including exposure from substances such as DEHP, DnBP, BBzP, and DiNP.
• Certain phthalates classified as reproductive toxicants are restricted in consumer products, with strict limits on their concentration (e.g., in plastics and consumer goods), meaning substances such as DEHP, DnBP, BBzP, and related compounds are only allowed at very low levels or not at all in products for the general public due to potential health risks.
• The EU uses a prioritisation process to evaluate chemicals of potential concern and assess whether further regulatory action is needed including DPHP, DCHP, DEP and DEHA.
• EU rules for food contact materials restrict certain hazardous phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DnBP, BBzP, DiBP, DiNP, DiDP, DEHA, DEHT, DINCH) in food packaging and related applications, setting strict limits on how much can migrate into food, both individually and in combination, to reduce consumer exposure from packaging materials.
• Cosmetic products are subject to strict safety rules that prohibit certain phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DnBP, BBzP, DiBP) due to health concerns from dermal exposure.
• Medical devices are regulated under a framework that allows the use of certain phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DnBP, BBzP, DiBP) when their use is justified, despite potential health concerns such as reproductive toxicity or endocrine-disrupting effects, while requiring manufacturers to assess risks and consider safer alternatives.
• Electrical and electronic equipment is subject to restrictions on hazardous substances, including certain phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DnBP, BBzP, DiBP), to reduce health and environmental risks and encourage safer alternatives, with limited exemptions.