News | RIVM

Quality requirements for the safe use of purified wastewater in agriculture and horticulture

In dry summers, there may not be enough water to irrigate agricultural and horticultural crops. Purified wastewater is a potential solution to this problem. This water may still contain some chemicals and pathogens (such as bacteria and viruses). These must not be harmful to humans, plants or animals.

RIVM identifies three major challenges for public health and healthcare in period to 2050

The Dutch public health and healthcare will face three crucial challenges in the period to 2050. This is according to RIVM’s preview of the Dutch Public Health Foresight Study 2024.

Improper use of methylphenidate

Students sometimes use ADHD medicines that have not been prescribed to them in order to study more effectively. It is suspected that they obtain these medicines from other people, who do have a prescription. Sewage research conducted by RIVM supports this theory.

No new SARS-CoV-2 variants discovered in wastewater on aircraft from China

Wastewater on aircraft from China has not been found to contain any new variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 so far. These findings are from several tests performed by RIVM. However, the wastewater was found to contain coronavirus particles.

Antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance remain stable

Antibiotic resistance in the Netherlands remained stable in 2021 compared with the five previous years. This is evident from the 2022 annual NethMap/MARAN report.

In beeld twee handen van een vrouw die 2 antibiotica pillen neemt

Can healthy gut microbes protect us against antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

It is largely assumed within the scientific community that a healthy intestinal microbiome can provide resistance against the settling, growth and multiplication of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Sewage treatment workers not more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Employees at sewage and wastewater treatment plants in the Netherlands and Germany are not more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria than other people.

Loopbrug rioolwaterzuiveringsinstallatie

Unie van Waterschappen

Antimicrobial resistance in the Netherlands stable in 2020

In 2020, the year of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, resistant bacteria were not found more often in patients in the Netherlands than before the outbreak.

COVID-19 consequences impact vulnerable groups more in the long term

The effects of the COVID-19 crisis have a greater impact on vulnerable groups in society, such as lower-educated adults, young people, the elderly and people with underlying health problems.

New data on antimicrobial resistance in Europe

New data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in European countries is now available in the sixth annual report of the Central Asian and European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (CAESAR) netw