Situation in the Netherlands remains concerning In the week from 10 to 16 March, 39,527 people received a positive test result for COVID-19, nearly 25% more than in the week before that. The reproduction number completely above 1 this week. Sander Koning
Prospects not looking good yet The number of people who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 increased by 20% last week. The number of people who tested positive rose by 7%. The reproduction number also rose above 1.
Care workers in nursing homes and small-scale residential facilities invited for COVID-19 vaccination starting today As of today, the ca. 269,000 care workers of nursing homes and small-scale residential facilities in the Netherlands are invited to make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination.
Temporary background values for PFAS in Dutch soil RIVM has derived temporary background values for two types of PFAS in Dutch soil: PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluoro octanoic acid).
RIVM will calculate temporary background value for PFAS in soil In the coming weeks, RIVM will derive a temporary background value for PFAS in Dutch soil. This will be done based on measurement data from the provinces in the Netherlands.
Air quality Sint Maarten landfill At the beginning of 2019, RIVM measured the air quality around the landfill at Philipsburg, Sint Maarten for two weeks. No or hardly any harmful substances were measured.
RIVM will make measurements around the Sint Maarten landfill From 21 January 2019, a team from RIVM will travel to Sint Maarten to make measurements and take samples at various locations around the landfill in Philipsburg.
New method for toxicological assessment of perfluoro mixtures Perfluoro (PFAS) is a group of substances that contains PFOS, PFOA and GenX. Perfluoro substances often occur as pollution in ground water and drinking water.
RIVM measures much higher levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes Tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide (TNCO) levels measured in accordance with the Canadian Intense (CI) method are at least twice as high as the levels measured in accordance with the prescribed ISO
Addictive nicotine and harmful substances also present in heated tobacco Heated tobacco products are newly available on the market. An example of such a product is the heatstick which is heated with an iQOS, a device that looks like an e-cigarette.