Employees sometimes come into contact with hazardous substances at work. RIVM has compiled a list of 1,400 hazardous substances for which the European Commission has not yet set an occupational exposure limit.

Employees of Dutch Railways (NS) may have been exposed to chromium (VI) between 1970 and 2020. Although it is not known exactly how often or how much this occurred, it is reasonable to assume that NS employees who were exposed to chromium (VI) may develop certain medical conditions.

In 2021, fewer people contracted diseases for which vaccines are offered under the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) than before the coronavirus pandemic. This is very likely largely due to the impact of the coronavirus measures, such as social distancing and hand washing.

By optimising collaboration when purchasing products and services, the government can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This was the conclusion of a study by the National Institute for Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM) into so-called 'buyer groups'.

High levels of PAHs and metals, including lead, have once again been found in coarse dust particles deposited in the vicinity of the premises of the Tata Steel company. This is according to new measurements taken by RIVM this spring.

Almost a third (30%) of the Dutch cyclists aged 12 and over use electric bikes. The use of e-bikes is most common among elderly cyclists (those aged 65 and over): more than half of them only ride an e-bike. This is according to a RIVM survey of nearly 7,000 people. A vast majority of respondents (70%) said they opted for an e-bike ‘to cycle with less effort’.

Measurements by RIVM show that motorways again produced more noise in 2020 than the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management had calculated. The difference was 3 dB, the same as in 2019. Due to the coronavirus measures and the speed limit reduction, however, the noise levels along both motorways were lower in 2020 than in 2019. This is according to the 2021 Noise Monitor. The figures also show that, in 2020, so-called ‘quiet tyres’ still does not reduce noise produced by motorways in practice. The measurement and calculation of noise produced by railways did match.

In 2021, the incidence of enteric infections – which mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms – was higher than in 2020, but still lower than before the coronavirus pandemic. This is the outcome of a study into enteric infections and pathogens transmitted from animals to humans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated RIVM as WHO Collaborating Centre on Life Course and Health. The Collaborating Centre will support the WHO by contributing to knowledge and research on healthy ageing over the life course. People are growing older all over the world.