News | RIVM

Combined exposure to high amounts of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic increases risk of kidney damage

People can come into contact with chemicals that may affect their health through food and drinking water.

Not yet fully vaccinated against HPV? Do not postpone any longer!

Time is running out for those who have not yet had the HPV vaccine, but do want to get it.

No changes to chromium (VI) adverse health effect list

No changes will be made to the list of adverse health effects that may be caused by exposure to chromium (VI) in the workplace. According to RIVM, the latest scientific literature has resulted in no new insights.

Results of research into health effects of wood smoke not yet sufficiently conclusive

It is known that the smoke from burning wood contains substances that are harmful to health. Even so, there is no clear scientific evidence of the effects of burning wood on public health. Better research is needed into the extent to which people actually breathe in smoke.

Natura 2000 sites: nitrogen deposition on the decline, but still too high for much of nature

The amount of nitrogen deposited on nature reserves that are vulnerable to this is falling. However, this decline is not sufficient to meet the targets the Dutch government has set itself. This is the conclusion of the RIVM monitoring report ‘Nitrogen deposition in Natura 2000 areas 2023’.

Respiratory infections season started

More and more people are coughing and sneezing, although it is not an epidemic at this point. The season in which respiratory infections circulate in the Netherlands has now started. There are various viruses that can cause respiratory infections.

Man snuit neus van zijn kind

More attention needed for safe use of biocides

Biocides are pesticides that are used commonly and often necessarily. They are used as disinfectants to prevent diseases from spreading in hospitals and during livestock transport. In addition, biocides are indispensable when it comes to controlling populations of rats and other pests.

RIVM and EFSA optimise new calculation model for mixture risk assessment

Plant protection products (PPPs) are products used in agriculture to protect crops against, for example, fungi, insects and weeds.

Participation rates in cancer population screening programmes continue to decline

The number of participants in the population screening programmes for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer continues to decline. This decline has been going on for years, reaching its lowest point in 2020.

Healthy Living Environment programme launched

The goal of the Healthy Living Environment programme (Programma Gezonde Leefomgeving, PGLO) is a healthy living environment for all. A healthy living environment is one that is clean and safe, protects against health risks and encourages exercise and socialising.