From 8–10 September, 2026 the partner organisations of the new European LIFE project LIFE MUMs (Minimising Unseen Molecules) came together in Hamburg for their first joint Kick-off Meeting. Nine organisations from eight European countries spent three intensive days discussing the project’s activities in detail, developing ideas and setting the course for the years ahead.

LIFE MUMs: 8 countries. 9 organisations. One shared goal.
Healthier beginnings with less exposure to EDCs.

LIFE MUMs focuses on a particularly sensitive stage of life: the period before and during pregnancy. The project aims to help reduce everyday exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and translate scientific knowledge into practical actions that can be integrated into everyday life.

From scientific evidence to everyday life

How can scientific knowledge about endocrine-disrupting chemicals be translated into information that is understandable and useful in everyday life? How can pregnant people be supported in identifying potential sources of exposure in their immediate surroundings? What information do midwives and other healthcare professionals need? And how can we communicate about potential health risks without creating fear, but instead empower people to make informed changes?

These and many other questions kept us busy throughout the three-day meeting.

Together, we discussed all areas of the project in detail, exchanged ideas and worked on specific questions in smaller workshops. Topics ranged from building the project’s scientific knowledge base and further developing CheckED for use around pregnancy to working with healthcare professionals, shaping the Europe-wide awareness campaign and exploring how household interventions can work in practice.

One idea ran through many of our discussions: LIFE MUMs should not simply communicate risks. We want to provide positive, science-based and achievable recommendations that enable people to take action and reduce their exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals where change is possible in everyday life.

Bringing environmental and health knowledge closer together

A particular focus of LIFE MUMs is strengthening the connection between scientific knowledge and healthcare. Information about endocrine-disrupting chemicals does not always reach people before and during pregnancy where and when it could be most useful.

That is why LIFE MUMs will work closely with different target groups over the coming years. These include pregnant people and women of reproductive age, as well as midwives and medical students. Their experiences, perspectives and feedback will play an important role in different parts of the project.

Are you part of one of these groups? Then LIFE MUMs may be worth keeping an eye on. As the project develops, there will be different opportunities to get involved.

Eight countries, one shared goal

Beyond the intensive discussions and workshops, the Kick-off Meeting was also an opportunity to get to know the people behind LIFE MUMs. Different experiences from eight European countries, a wide range of professional perspectives and one shared goal came together in Hamburg: to help people reduce their exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and contribute to healthier living environments for current and future generations.

After three intensive days, one thing is clear: there are exciting years ahead of us.

We look forward to taking you along on this journey and sharing more about LIFE MUMs, our partners and our work in the months to come.

The project LIFE MUMs is co-funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.