News in Health and the Environment

As of 5 April 2019, as a precautionary measure, France has banned certain types of breast implants. The ban applies to macro-textured and polyurethane (PU) coated breast implants. These are breast implants with a rough surface. France took this decision based on indications that breast implants with a rough surface present an increased risk of BIA-ALCL. The Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate asked RIVM to assess the scientific substantiation of the French decision. RIVM published the interpretation of the French ban and a news bulletin on 16 May. Read more

The declining trend in the number of children receiving vaccinations from the National Immunisation Programme has come to an end. Preliminary figures for younger children even show a slight increase. This is stated in the report on vaccination coverage and annual report on the Dutch National Immunisation Programme in 2018. The overall vaccination rate is still below the target figure of 95%. Read more

At Tata Steel in IJmuiden, the residual product of the steelmaking (‘the slag’) is processed by the Harsco Company. In 2018 and 2019, this process involved a number of emissions that resulted in so-called graphite rain ending up in the environment. This graphite rain raised many questions among local residents. The residents of the village of Wijk aan Zee, which is close to the factories, would like to have an insight into the composition of graphite rains and the possible risks to their health. A study by RIVM commissioned by the Province of Noord-Holland estimated the possible health risks. Our study shows that graphite rain contains heavy metals and PAHs. Read more

When garments made from synthetic materials wear, due to use and washing, microplastic fibres are released. Wastewater treatment plants remove 50 to 90 per cent of these microplastic fibres. The remainder is discharged into the surface water where it can have damaging effects on the organisms present. RIVM has provided perspectives for action to reduce the quantity of microplastics entering the water via clothing. Read more

The Health Council of the Netherlands has advised that boys should also be vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) within the Dutch National Immunisation Programme. Furthermore, the age at which children receive the vaccination can be lowered to ten or eleven years old. This entails a big public campaign. Read more

With sustainable procurement, authorities give a strong impulse to the circular, carbon neutral economy. RIVM helps them to measure the sustainability gain of their sustainable procurement efforts. Read more

We welcomed a delegation of the Indonesian government and industry led by the Indonesian Minister of Health Ms. Nila Farid Moeloek. After participating at the ministerial conference on Antimicrobial Resistance on 20 June 2019, the delegation visited RIVM laboratories and learned more about Dutch immunisation programmes, health protection and combating infectious diseases and public procurement of pharmaceutical products. Read more

For a successful circular economy, it is essential to improve the conditions in which materials and products are recycled once they have reached the end of their life cycle. Recycling can be hampered by the presence of substances of concern. The EU Clean Material Recycling project ‘CleaR’, recently published an evidence-based framework for assessing the presence of substances of concern in waste and recycled materials. CleaR also included the potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Read more

In 2018, the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport commissioned a nationwide study investigating the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria among nursing home residents. The point prevalence study revealed that the nursing home sector is in good shape. Nonetheless, attention to infection prevention and hygiene measures is still needed. This study has improved our understanding of antibiotic resistance in the Netherlands. Dutch report, English synopsis

RIVM is actively involved in the One Health European Joint Programme (OHEJP) and coordinates COHESIVE and RADAR, projects within the OHEJP. In May, RIVM participated in the first annual Scientific Meeting of the OHEJP in Dublin, Ireland. Topics of this meeting included Hepatitis E virus, the Dutch zoonoses risk analysis structure and RADAR. The Annual Meeting of the European project COHESIVE was hosted by the Swedish Veterinary Institute (SVA), 10 – 12 April 2019 in Uppsala, Sweden. Important steps were made for the development of practical guidelines for European countries to set up One Health structures and collaborations with respect to signalling, risk assessment, response and control of zoonoses. More information on One Health

Health professionals – as the front-line and face of the health system – are key actors in helping to address health inequalities. How can their training and working environments support them to help people facing disadvantages to live longer and healthier lives? This was the main question that was discussed during the EuroHealthNet Annual Seminar, which took place on June 4 in Madrid. Read more

RIVM joined EUPHA to celebrate healthy populations and raise awareness about important public health issues during the first European Public Health WEEK.  From 13 – 17 May, 145 events and activities took place in 34 countries. Each day was dedicated to an important public health theme. The online campaign exceeded EUPHA’s expectations. There was much enthusiasm both online and in-person at country and European level. see also