Shortcomings in the technical documentation of mesh implants intended to treat pelvic organ prolapse used in the Netherlands After a detailed assessment of the technical documentation of 9 different mesh implants intended to treat pelvic organ prolapse used in NL (2018) RIVM concludes that the safety and performance of these products were not properly substantiated.
Menthol facilitates inhalation of tobacco smoke, even when you cannot taste it Even when menthol cannot be tasted, the substance makes it easier to inhale tobacco smoke. This way, menthol makes smoking more attractive for young and novice smokers who are not yet used to inhaling sharp, pungent tobacco smoke.
More reports of adverse effects of implants in 2019 In 2019, the Dutch reporting centre for adverse effects of medical implants (MEBI) received 397 reports of suspected adverse effects. The reports concerned 462 implants.
Mesh implants intended to treat pelvic organ prolapse Synthetic mesh are used to treat patients with pelvic organ prolapse.
Air quality Sint Maarten landfill At the beginning of 2019, RIVM measured the air quality around the landfill at Philipsburg, Sint Maarten for two weeks. No or hardly any harmful substances were measured.
Graphit rain poses health risk An assessment of potential health risks shows that graphite rain contains heavy metals and PAHs.
Summary International Expert Meeting on breast implant-associated lymphoma On November 19th 2018, RIVM organised an international expert meeting on a rare type of lymphoma that is associated with breast implants.
RIVM will make measurements around the Sint Maarten landfill 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.
Discussion regarding health-based guidance value of PFOA The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a provisional health-based guidance value for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
RIVM measures much higher levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes Tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide (TNCO) levels measured in accordance with the Canadian Intense (CI) method are at least twice as high as the levels measured in accordance with the prescribed ISO