RIVM and EFSA optimise new calculation model for mixture risk assessment Plant protection products (PPPs) are products used in agriculture to protect crops against, for example, fungi, insects and weeds.
Participation rates in cancer population screening programmes continue to decline The number of participants in the population screening programmes for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer continues to decline. This decline has been going on for years, reaching its lowest point in 2020.
Healthy Living Environment programme launched The goal of the Healthy Living Environment programme (Programma Gezonde Leefomgeving, PGLO) is a healthy living environment for all. A healthy living environment is one that is clean and safe, protects against health risks and encourages exercise and socialising.
Strong interest among schools in incentive to promote healthy and sustainable eating Schools are highly interested in the promotional incentive of a programme teaching young children to eat healthy from a young age. The incentive is called ‘Let’s go outside for tasty food!’ or Lekker naar buiten! in Dutch. 2,273 schools applied for the funding over a three year period.
Launch of crisis response organisation LFI boosts pandemic preparedness On 2 October, Minister Kuipers of Health, Welfare and Sport launched a new crisis response organisation under the RIVM umbrella: the National Functionality for Scaling up Infectious Disease Control (LFI). The reason for setting up the LFI is the risk that the Netherlands will once again be confronted with a large-scale outbreak of an infectious disease.
Metabolic disorder ALD added to newborn blood spot screening Since 1 October, the metabolic disorder adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) has been added to the Dutch newborn blood spot screening. From now on, the blood of newborn boys will also be tested for this disorder. ALD in boys can be treated if it is detected in time.
Improving blue infrastructure for healthy urban living Living near water and access to water or so-called blue spaces is beneficial for people’s health and well-being.
Measures against polluting microplastics from garments When garments made from synthetic materials wear, due to use and washing, microplastic fibres are released. Wastewater treatment plants remove 50 to 90 per cent of these microplastic fibres.
CleaR delivers framework for risk assessment of substances of concern in the recycling process For a successful circular economy, it is essential to improve the conditions in which materials and products are recycled once they have reached the end of their life cycle.
Affirmation of collaboration between Public Health England and RIVM On Thursday 11 April 2019, RIVM welcomed a delegation from Public Health England (PHE). Chief Executive Duncan Selbie of PHE headed the delegation.