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.

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.

The Netherlands is experiencing a flu epidemic. The number of people with flu (influenza) increased significantly in the past two weeks. Laboratories, hospitals and GPs throughout the country report that the flu virus has been turning up in more throat and nasal samples from people with flu-like symptoms.

An RIVM study shows that around 20 per cent of pesticides on sale in the Netherlands contain ‘Dutch Substances of Very High Concern’ (ZZS). These substances can harm the environment as well as public health.

In 2021, the Netherlands once again met the European limit values for nitrogen dioxide emitted at ground-level by road traffic. This was also the case for particulate matter along the roads, with the exception of a small stretch of road near Velsen.

Drug waste contains substances that are harmful to the quality of drinking water. Because this waste is dumped illegally, these substances can end up in sources of drinking water.

RIVM advises government authorities to involve ‘key persons’ in formulating policy for current and future pandemics. Results from RIVM research show that these individuals played a key role in ensuring an ongoing focus on social well-being and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the limitations.

In a circular economy, building materials have a longer life cycle and are reused in innovative ways. Reusing building materials is sustainable, but can also be risky as building materials may contain contaminants such as heavy metals.

An employee of vaccine manufacturer Bilthoven Biologicals (BBio) has been infected with a poliovirus. The virus was found in a stool sample provided by the employee. The employee concerned is now in isolation.

On 1 November 2022, RIVM announced that its list of top-100  ammonia emitters was compiled using incorrect emission factors for some types of livestock housing. RIVM has investigated whether the erroneous data had also been used in other RIVM products.