Limited consideration of combination effects of hazardous substances when granting SVHC permits The harmful effect of a combination of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs or Zeer Zorgwekkende Stoffen, ZZS)) may be greater than the effect of each individual substance.
New test for Lyme disease is not reliable To determine whether someone has Lyme disease, doctors in the Netherlands often use antibody tests. For some time now, so-called cellular tests have been available on the market.
Many more infections, limited increase in hospital admissions In the past week, the number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the Netherlands increased by 64% compared to the week before that.
Current knowledge on microplastics in the soil is still inadequate A literature review carried out by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has concluded that reliable standard techniques should be developed to analyse microplastics in the soil.
New crisis response organisation at RIVM to control future pandemics The cabinet has agreed to the proposal of Ernst Kuipers, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, to set up a National Functionality for Infectious Disease Control (LFI).
Flu vaccination also available for pregnant women as of this autumn Every year, people aged 60+ and people with certain medical conditions can get the free flu vaccination. On the recommendation of the Health Council of the Netherlands, the free flu vaccination will now also be made available to pregnant women.
Changed indicative magnetic field zones around overhead high-voltage lines RIVM has updated the 2005 grid map (Netkaart) showing the overhead high-voltage lines in the Netherlands.
INHERIT Model: a tool to jointly improve health, environmental sustainability and Health Equity RIVM is involved in the Horizon2020 project INHERIT. The first article of the INHERIT project has been published, lead-authored by RIVM.
RIVM on shortlist Best Government Organisation of the Year 2018 The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has made the shortlist for the 2018 election for best government organisation of the year.
RIVM supports WHO in national capacity building for measuring foodborne disease burden RIVM’s Collaborating Centre for Risk Assessment of Pathogens in Food and Water was invited to WHO’s side event during the 41st Codex Alimentarius Commission on July 4th 2018.