News | RIVM

Exposure to combination of chemicals appears to be too high, health risks unclear

The food and drinking water that people consume include chemicals that have effects on health. Among them are substances, such as lead, which are known to have a negative effect on intelligence or development of the brain.

More people sick as a result of food from their own kitchen

In 2021, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) received 14% more reports of outbreaks of food-related infections than in 20

Estimated costs of foodborne infections 140 million euros lower in 2020

In 2020, the estimated costs of foodborne infections in the Netherlands were 140 million euros lower than in the preceding year. This corresponds to a 30% decrease.

ANP

A guide for the safe reuse of diaper and incontinence materials

RIVM has developed a step-by-step plan for the safe reuse of diapers and incontinence material. This plan provides recyclers and licensing authorities with tools to carry out a risk assessment.

Slightly fewer adult smokers

In 2018, 22.4 per cent of the Dutch adult population indicated they were occasional smokers.

Young people who use screens before sleeping have more sleep problems

Young people (13-18 years) who use light-emitting screens daily in the hour before going to sleep have more sleep problems.

Health and Well-being through Effective Blue-Green Space Design and Governance

During World Water Week (August 26 – 31, 2018), the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, is facilitating a session on Health and Well-being through effective Blue-G

INHERIT Model: a tool to jointly improve health, environmental sustainability and Health Equity

RIVM is involved in the Horizon2020 project INHERIT. The first article of the INHERIT project has been published, lead-authored by RIVM.

Disease burden and cost-of-illness of food-related pathogens in the Netherlands

Each year, RIVM presents an update on the number of illnesses caused by 14 enteric pathogens (such as Salmonella, Campylobacter or Listeria) that can be transmitted by food into the human body.

Measures to reduce microplastic emissions in the environment

Microplastics are plastic particles that are smaller than 5 millimetres; through the use of plastic or rubber products these microplastics can end up in the environment (surface water, soil, and ai