On 21 October 2026, LIFE MUMs (LIFE Minimising Unseen Molecules) joined the LIFE25 Welcome Meeting – Circular Economy and Quality of Life in Brussels. Representatives of around 150 newly funded LIFE projects took part.

Why LIFE MUMs matters

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are “unseen molecules” found in everyday products such as cosmetics, food packaging, cleaning agents and furniture. Exposure before and during pregnancy matters most, because it can affect the health of both today’s and future generations. LIFE MUMs aims to protect pregnant women and women of reproductive age from these chemicals. 

What makes the project new is that it brings three things together in one model that can be scaled up: 

• Real-life exposure evidence, gathered through household interventions 

• Digital prevention with the Pink Edition of the CheckED app, which helps women estimate their exposure and find safer alternatives 

• A place in maternal healthcare, through training midwives, gynaecologists, nurses and medical students 

The project aims at reducing EDC exposure by 20% among women in the household interventions. It will also train around 1,000 healthcare professionals, reach about 1 million people through public campaigns, and give evidence-based recommendations to policymakers.  

A warm welcome to the LIFE community 

The morning plenary introduced the LIFE Programme. Representatives of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) welcomed the new projects and gave practical advice on running them. Experienced LIFE project coordinators shared what they had learned, and participants met the Project Advisers and Financial Officers who will support them throughout their projects. 

Presenting LIFE MUMs and exchanging ideas 

In the afternoon, participants split into thematic working groups. LIFE MUMs joined the Chemicals, Air, Sustainable Governance group. Each project there presented its objectives and planned activities, followed by questions and answers. 

On behalf of the consortium, our visibility and PR coordinators Karolína Brabcová (Arnika) and Lars Bulanov (BEF-DE) explained how LIFE MUMs will make scientific knowledge practical. Through awareness campaigns, digital tools and training for healthcare professionals, the project helps women, pregnant people and families make safer everyday choices without creating unnecessary fear. 

Connecting across Europe 

The meeting was a chance to make contacts with other LIFE projects. We also exchanged ideas with CINEA and the external monitoring team and found shared interests with other projects working on chemicals and health. 

We thank CINEA and everyone involved for the warm welcome. We look forward to continued exchange and cooperation within the LIFE community! 

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.