From 1 June 2022, the heel prick test for Dutch newborns will also screen for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a serious hereditary muscle condition. Detecting this disease at an early stage enables early treatment.

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

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

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

RIVM has updated the standard for exposure assessment of cleaning products in the ConsExpo Cleaning Products Fact Sheet.

As of 1 January 2017, the disorders alpha and beta thalassaemia will be added to the neonatal blood spot (‘heel prick’) screening programme.

An improved version of the computer program ConsExpo is now available via the RIVM website.

On 26 October 2015, heel prick screening started for all newborns on St Eustatius and Saba.

By combining the available international knowledge, the method to assess the extent to which consumers are exposed to chemical substances via everyday products such as paint, cleaning agents and co