News | RIVM

Metals from Essure sterilisation coils unlikely to be harmful to health

Essure is an implant used for female sterilisation. Like many other implants, such as hip implants and stents, this implant is made of metal. It is normal for such implants to release metal particles. Essure is a small implant.

MEBI: risk of serious health complaints from Rebound HRD® inguinal hernia mesh

The Dutch Reporting Centre for Adverse Effects of Medical Implants (MEBI), which is part of RIVM, has received a report about Rebound HRD® (Hernia Repair Device), an inguinal hernia mesh.

295 reports of suspected side effects of implants in 2023

In 2023, 295 individuals reported one or more suspected side effects of implants to RIVM’s Dutch Reporting Centre for Adverse Effects of Medical Implants (MEBI).

MEBI: 193 reports of suspected side effects of implants in 2022

In 2022, 193 individuals reported suspected side effects of implants to RIVM’s Dutch Reporting Centre for Adverse Effects of Medical Implants (MEBI). Most reports received concerned breast implants, copper IUDs and wrinkle fillers. This is highlighted in MEBI’s annual report.

Towards a sustainable, healthy future for everyone: EU project INHERIT offers policy solutions

Today, on 10 December a policy toolkit will be presented at the final conference of the European four-year research project INHERIT.

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.

New environmental noise and health guidelines

Exposure to environmental noise is expected to cause more health problems in the Netherlands. There is increasingly more noise, and new houses are being built closer to noise sources.

Environmental noise; girl with fingers in her ears

Residential Wood Burning Alert in unfavourable weather conditions

As of this autumn, RIVM will advise against burning wood in unfavourable weather conditions and or poor air quality.

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.

Openness about nitrogen

There is concern about the current approach to nitrogen and the proposed measures; these concerns have been expressed in Dutch society as a whole and amongst farmers in particular.