HFCs are potent greenhouse gases because they absorb infrared radiation and because they have relatively long atmospheric lifetimes.

In recent years measures have been taken in some regions in the world to reduce the use of HFCs.

The Montreal Protocol primarily aims to protect the ozone layer, but also contributes to reducing climate change.  

Alternatives are available for many applications that previously used CFCs or HCFCs or still use HFCs. For example, iso-butane is used in refrigerators for households in Europe for many years now; a hydrocarbon that does not affect the ozone layer and has no greenhouse effect. Other hydrocarbons, as well as ammonia and CO2, are used as refrigerant in cooling systems as well.

The presentations of the symposium are available for download.

We produce numerous reports and publications on all aspects of public health, nutrition and food, health care, disaster management, nature and the environment each year. On this webpage, we present an overview of our publications, including publications about our work and activities.

EFSA and RIVM organised an international symposium to reflect on the state of play in research with regard to the risk assessment and toxicity testing of chemical mixtures in Europe. On 18 and 19 May 2016, Dutch researchers, scientists, stakeholders and policy-makers were joined by their European and international peers to discuss scientific progress in this field. 

Hearing impairment involves reduced (or severely reduced) hearing. This can be either temporary (e.g. due to fluid in the middle ear) or permanent. Hearing disorders can be classified by type (e.g. conductive hearing loss or sensorineural hearing loss) and by the severity of the hearing impairment. Hearing impairment can be acquired or inherited.

Maarten started working as a PhD-student at the RIVM in Januari 2016, under supervision of Maria Xiridou, Jacco Wallinga and Birgit van Benthem. He investigates the effects of different preventive measures such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP) and partner notification on the spread of HIV and other secually transmitted diseases in men who have sex with men. The results of these simulations will be used in a cost-effectiveness analysis.