RIVM publishes new data from manufacturers on tobacco products On behalf of the Dutch Ministry of VWS (Health, Welfare and Sport), RIVM has published new data on tobacco products. For the first time, these data include the ingredients of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal smoking products.
No indication that investigated mesh implants used to treat pelvic organ prolapse are unsafe RIVM has conducted a laboratory study into six mesh implants from different manufacturers used in the Netherlands in 2018. The study revealed no indication that these products are unsafe for patients.
Exposure to combination of chemicals appears to be too high, health risks unclear The food and drinking water that people consume include chemicals that have effects on health. Among them are substances, such as lead, which are known to have a negative effect on intelligence or development of the brain.
Rapid developments in modern biotechnology are a challenge for risk assessment Due to developments in modern biotechnology, such as genome editing, synthetic biology and regulation of gene expression, many new applications are expected in the next ten years.
Bacteriophages: insufficient understanding of phage treatment of human infections Bacteriophages are viruses that can kill bacteria. The question is whether bacteriophages can be used to treat infections in humans.
National Action Plan for sexual health The Dutch National Action Plan for STI, HIV and sexual health describes the most important goals for the next five years.
Greenhouse gas emissions slightly down in 2017 Despite the growth of the economy, greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands in 2017 were1 percent lower than in the previous year.
Addictive nicotine and harmful substances also present in heated tobacco Heated tobacco products are newly available on the market. An example of such a product is the heatstick which is heated with an iQOS, a device that looks like an e-cigarette.
Continued high effectiveness of vaccines against Hib disease A recent study by RIVM and AMC shows that the effectiveness of vaccination against Hib is still high.
RIVM withdraws from tobacco committees The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment will leave the NEN/CEN/ISO committees for tobacco and e-cigarettes with immediate effect.