The Netherlands currently lacks a clear picture of which chemical substances end up in people’s bodies and in what quantities. For this reason, in 2024 the Health Council of the Netherlands advised the government to monitor 100 substances in blood and urine (human biomonitoring) and to repeat this every five years in a group of 1,500 people who represent the Dutch population. RIVM has now outlined what such a monitoring programme could look like.
Among other things, it recommends setting up the programme using the knowledge and expertise of various organisations, such as the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs), universities and university medical centres. These organisations would, for example, advise on which substances should be examined. It will likely involve so‑called Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), such as heavy metals, (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and pesticides. Another recommendation is to collaborate internationally, as other countries already have experience with similar programmes.
Sources of monitored substances
With additional data collected in the proposed programme, it will be possible not only to measure concentrations but also to gain an initial understanding of the sources from which the monitored substances originate. The data can also be used to estimate the societal costs of exposure to these substances. The programme also offers opportunities for targeted follow‑up studies, such as in specific regions or among certain vulnerable groups. RIVM estimates the cost of the monitoring programme at twenty million euros per measurement cycle. One cycle lasts five years. Many other European countries already have such a programme. It is now up to the government to decide whether it will actually be implemented.
RIVM conducted this study on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).