Study on the effectiveness of COVID-19 measures in the Netherlands The measures implemented in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 crisis were effective against the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM.
RIVM maintains advisory: avoid eating private eggs in Zuid-Holland Zuid and Altena Municipality RIVM continues to advise against consuming private eggs from the Zuid-Holland Zuid region and the municipality of Altena. These eggs have been found to contain high levels of PFAS, as revealed by the risk assessment conducted by RIVM at 31 locations in the area.
Solar panel recycling could be more sustainable RIVM looked into ways being developed to reuse raw materials used in solar panels. The four ways described by RIVM in this report are more sustainable than how solar panels are currently recycled.
Growth of digital healthcare stabilised in 2023 The growth in the use of digital healthcare tools by care providers stabilised in 2023. This was mainly because most care providers were already using particular digital tools in 2022, such as the patient portal – on which patients can view the outcomes of examinations – and e-consultations (digital written contact with doctors).
Air pollution increases risk of infection and severity of illness from COVID-19 People who live in areas with poor air quality are more likely to become infected with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the symptoms of COVID-19 are more severe, leading to more hospitalisations and deaths. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM, Utrecht University, Wageningen University & Research and the Netherlands Municipal Public Health Services and Medical Assistance in Accidents and Disasters.
PFAS in sea foam along Dutch coast Recent measurements commissioned by the provinces of Zeeland, Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland have revealed the presence of PFAS in sea foam along the Dutch coast, as reported by RIVM. It is as yet unclear what the presence of PFAS in sea foam means for human health.
Direct link between Tata Steel emissions, nuisance and risk of disease The current level of emissions from the Tata Steel site is putting people who live in the IJmond region at an elevated risk of disease. The greatest benefits to public health in the region can be achieved by reducing nuisance caused by and exposure to Tata Steel emissions. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM.
New study confirms: people in the Netherlands ingest too much PFAS People in the Netherlands are ingesting too much levels of PFAS through food and drinking water. New research by RIVM confirms this. However, the total quantity of PFAS is lower than previously calculated.
No major change in air quality in the Netherlands in 2022 The overall air quality in 2022 was slightly worse than in 2021. Weather conditions such as temperature and drought played an important role in this difference. This is according to the large-scale concentration maps published by RIVM each year.
Mercury in Groningen’s natural gas not harmful to health Mercury can be naturally present in natural gas. This mercury can end up in your home, especially if you use a natural gas cooker. In 2014, the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) calculated exposure to mercury at daily peak moments.