News | RIVM

Smokers inhale more tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide when measured with WHO method

RIVM has measured the amount of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide (TNCO) in all filter cigarettes sold in the Netherlands with the WHO Intense method.

New study confirms: people in the Netherlands ingest too much PFAS

People in the Netherlands are ingesting too much levels of PFAS through food and drinking water. New research by RIVM confirms this. However, the total quantity of PFAS is lower than previously calculated.

Derogation farms: nitrate concentrations in groundwater decreased in 2022, but levels are still too high in some regions

Nitrate concentrations in groundwater on ‘derogation farms’ throughout the Netherlands fell in 2022. One of the reasons for the decrease is that 2021 was a relatively wet year. However, nitrate levels still exceeded the limit value in the Sand and Loess Region.

Koeien in weiland

Model for projecting COVID-19 hospital and ICU admissions, complete with code

RIVM has published the code for model projections of COVID-19 hospital and ICU admissions. The code has been shared as part of a manuscript about the model.

Self-sampling device to be sent automatically, making it easier to take part in cervical cancer screening

From the first week of July, every woman turning 30 will receive a self-sampling device with their invitation for cervical cancer screening. Participants can use this device to collect their own vaginal material.

No major change in air quality in the Netherlands in 2022

The overall air quality in 2022 was slightly worse than in 2021. Weather conditions such as temperature and drought played an important role in this difference. This is according to the large-scale concentration maps published by RIVM each year.

Concerns over falling vaccination coverage within National Immunisation Programme

The percentage of children vaccinated within the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) has fallen for the second year in a row, according to the 2022 report ‘Vaccination Coverage and Annual Report of the Dutch National Immunisation Programme'. RIVM is concerned about this decline.

One-quarter of clients and informal carers have difficulty arranging district nursing

A quarter of people who applied for district nursing for themselves or a family member experienced difficulties. It was unclear to them how to apply and what to look out for, or they were told there was no space for them.

More STIs diagnosed in 2022, most significant increase in gonorrhoea

More people got tested for an STI at Sexual Health Centres (SHCs) in 2022 than in 2021. There were a total of 164,715 consultations at SHCs. The percentage of people found to have an STI (21%) was also higher than in 2021.

Fewer people feel healthy

In 2022, 7 out of 10 adults in the Netherlands perceived their own health as good or very good. In late 2020, this was still 8 out of 10 people. Furthermore, there are large differences between regions and population groups in this regard.