Since 1 September, pregnant women in the Netherlands can have an early ultrasound scan to detect physical abnormalities in their unborn child: the 13-week scan.

At the beginning of 2019, the RIVM measured the air quality around the landfill at Philipsburg, Sint Maarten for two weeks. No or hardly any harmful substances were measured.

From 21 January 2019,  a team from RIVM will travel to Sint Maarten to make measurements and take samples at various locations around the landfill in Philipsburg.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a provisional health-based guidance value for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

Since May 2015, there has been a Zika virus outbreak in South and Central America, including the Caribbean. The Zika virus can cause birth defects, including microcephaly (small head size).

RIVM-experts from the Environmental Assessment Unit (EAU) have undertaken two missions involving an emergency situation in the Solomon Islands and an environmental assessment in Georgia.

RIVM is in a state of readiness to assist and support the fire brigade, the Dutch National Police Service (KLPD) and the Regional Emergency Health Organisation (GHOR) in the event of any disasters