Research into safe distance for battery energy storage systems One new development in the energy sector is the temporary storage of renewable energy. For example, energy can be stored in a community battery.
Start of rotavirus vaccinations This week saw the start of babies being vaccinated against the rotavirus. This vaccination is included in the Dutch National Immunisation Programme as of this year. All parents of babies born on or after 1 January 2024 will receive an invitation for this.
Protection against rotavirus included in National Immunisation Programme from 2024 From 2024, rotavirus vaccination will be included in the National Immunisation Programme (NIP). Rotavirus can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration in babies, in some cases requiring them to be hospitalised.
Gastrointestinal symptoms on the rise, but still fewer than before the COVID-19 pandemic In 2022, the number of enteric infections – which mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms – was higher than it was in the previous two years. However, the total number of infections was still lower than before the coronavirus pandemic.
Incidence of infections that cause gastrointestinal symptoms on the rise again In 2021, the incidence of enteric infections – which mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms – was higher than in 2020, but still lower than before the coronavirus pandemic. This is the outcome of a study into enteric infections and pathogens transmitted from animals to humans.
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).
EFSA agrees with RIVM that potential effect of BPA on the immune system requires further attention RIVM expressed concerns on the effects of bisphenol a (BPA) on the immune system in a report issued in March 2016.
RIVM and German BfR enter cooperation agreement on animal protection and food safety The German Federal Institute of Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM have signed a cooperation agreement, focused on developing new sci
RIVM recommends more stringent EU standards BPA More stringent European standards for safe exposure of workers and consumers to bisphenol A (BPA) were proposed in 2014 and 2015.
Breakthrough on cumulative risk assessment exposure to pesticides in food The European Commission, Member States and EFSA have taken a major step forward in their work on assessing the cumulative risks from exposure to pesticides in food.