News | RIVM

Brief decline in air quality over Easter

RIVM expects the air quality to be poor or very poor for a brief period over Easter, particularly in areas where Easter fires are lit. This is because the burning of wood leads to high local concentrations of particulate matter in the air. These high concentrations may cause health problems. People affected by these problems are advised to avoid strenuous physical activity.

Slight increase in greenhouse gasses in 2021

In 2021, greenhouse gas emissions were 1.8% higher than the year before. This marked the first time emissions had gone up since 2016. In 2020, emissions declined by 8.8%. The 2021 increase is largely attributable to CO2 and to the cold winter.

Air quality in the Netherlands in 2021 almost the same as in 2020

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.

More people sick as a result of food from their own kitchen

In 2021, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) received 14% more reports of outbreaks of food-related infections than in 20

Estimated costs of foodborne infections 140 million euros lower in 2020

In 2020, the estimated costs of foodborne infections in the Netherlands were 140 million euros lower than in the preceding year. This corresponds to a 30% decrease.

ANP

Levels of salt, saturated fat, and sugar in most foods has remained the same or decreased

The levels of salt, saturated fat, and sugar in most processed foods has remained the same or decreased since 2018.

EU air policy gives an average of 6 extra years of life in the Netherlands

Since the 1970s, European policies to improve air quality have resulted in fewer emissions in many countries.

Dutch air quality shows little improvement in 2017

In 2017, concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in most parts of the Netherlands were below European limit values.

Disease burden and cost-of-illness of food-related pathogens in the Netherlands

Each year, RIVM presents an update on the number of illnesses caused by 14 enteric pathogens (such as Salmonella, Campylobacter or Listeria) that can be transmitted by food into the human body.

Climate change, ozone depletion and air quality need to be addressed coherently

Ozone layer depletion, air pollution and climate change need to be addressed in connection with each other.