Nanotechnology increasingly used in medical devices The application of nanotechnology to design and produce medical devices is increasing. RIVM provides an overview of nanotechnology enabled medical devices.
Greater influx of migrants not expected to lead to an increase in cases of tuberculosis According to the RIVM report ‘Tuberculosis in the Netherlands 2014’, a total of 823 people were diagnosed with TB last year. That is 21 fewer patients than in 2013.
Replacement possible for products with carcinogenic formaldehyde There seem to be sufficient alternatives available for the majority of disinfectants and preservatives containing the carcinogenic substance formaldehyde.
WHO’s first ever global estimates of foodborne diseases: children under five account for almost one third of deaths Almost one third (30%) of all deaths from foodborne diseases are in children under the age of five years, despite the fact that they make up only 9% of the global population.
RIVM involvement in UN/EU missions RIVM-experts from the Environmental Assessment Unit (EAU) have undertaken two missions involving an emergency situation in the Solomon Islands and an environmental assessment in Georgia.
Clinical condition Dutch MERS patients improving The two patients who were diagnosed last week with the MERS coronavirus are now on the mend.
The MERS-coronavirus in the Netherlands As of 13 May 2014, RIVM and Erasmus MC have diagnosed the MERS coronavirus in two Dutch people. The patients are related and were infected during a joint journey to Saudi Arabia.
New assessment framework for leachate water from landfill sites RIVM and ECN have developed an innovative assessment framework for testing the environmental effects on soil and groundwater of leachate water from sustainable landfill sites.
HFC greenhouse gases accumulate in refrigerators and air conditioners Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are potent greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners and are released primarily at the end of the life-span of these products.
RIVM participating in European Joint Action on Chronic Diseases The coming year RIVM is going to be collecting good examples of interventions for the prevention of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.