RIVM Publications Repository

Each year the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) produces numerous reports and publications on all aspects of public health, nutrition and food, health care, disaster management, nature and the environment. 
In addition, RIVM employees publish scientific articles in national and international journals.

Elk jaar brengt het Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) talloze rapporten en adviezen uit over volksgezondheid en gezondheidszorg, voeding, natuur en milieu en rampenbestrijding. 
Daarnaast publiceren RIVM-medewerkers wetenschappelijke artikelen in (inter-)nationale tijdschriften.

We are constantly working to improve the Repository. Please contact our administrator if you have any further questions or remarks. 

Recent Submissions

  • PublicationMetadata only
    Impact van medicatie op het oppervlaktewater. Doen pijnstillers ertoe?
    (2025-10-01) Faber, Melvin; Moermond, Caroline; Mark, Mark; Roex, Erwin; Wichers, Iris; Jongsma, Minke
    Restanten van pijnstillers en andere geneesmiddelen komen na gebruik in het milieu terecht. In oppervlaktewater worden concentraties diclofenac, ibuprofen en naproxen gemeten waarbij schadelijke effecten kunnen optreden bij dieren en planten. Door het terugdringen van de hoeveelheid pijnstillers in het milieu kunnen we deze milieurisico’s verminderen. Zorgverleners en patiënten kunnen hieraan een belangrijke bijdrage leveren door bewustere keuzes te maken bij het voorschrijven en gebruiken van pijnstillers. Voor oraal gebruik heeft paracetamol vanuit milieuoogpunt de voorkeur: dit levert de minste milieurisico’s op. Uitwisselen van diclofenac, naproxen en ibuprofen levert geen milieuwinst op, maar voorkomen van onnodig en onjuist gebruik van NSAID-gels levert juist wel een essentiële bijdrage. Naast bewust voorschrijven van pijnstillers en zorgvuldig gebruik zijn educatie, ketensamenwerking en gedragsverandering van belang.
  • PublicationMetadata only
    Lifestyle change modelling for climate change mitigation: Complementary strengths, policy support, and research avenues
    (2025-10-18) Scherer, Laura; van Sluisveld, Mariësse AE; van den Berg, Nicole J; Cap, Stephanie; Fuortes, Agnese; de Jager, Lynn; Koide, Ryu; de Koning, Arjan; Marangoni, Giacomo; Rubiconto, Francesca; van Valkengoed, Anne M
    Lifestyle changes are an essential, complementary measure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and, therefore, also an important ingredient to climate policy. Computational models of lifestyle changes and their contribution to climate change mitigation can provide valuable insights in support of decision-making by individuals and policymaking. In this Perspective, we examine four modelling approaches with this in mind: input-output analysis, life cycle assessment, integrated assessment models, and agent-based models. They have different strengths and weaknesses related to spatial and temporal scales, sector representation, consumer heterogeneity, and impact assessment. Despite their differences, all are ultimately suitable for modelling different types of climate-friendly lifestyle changes – from sufficiency over efficiency to modal shift measures. Each modelling approach provides useful, albeit partial, insights into lifestyle changes. The identified challenges call for both continual refinements within individual model frameworks and hybrid methods that bridge their respective strengths and allow for representing lifestyle changes more comprehensively. Together, they inform about the theoretical mitigation potential, initiative feasibility, behavioural plasticity, and policy effectiveness of lifestyle changes. Ultimately, cross-disciplinary collaboration will be key to designing lifestyle-focused policies that are both impactful and acceptable.
  • PublicationMetadata only
    Genetic and genomic variability of Spiroplasma and Midichloria endosymbionts associated with the tick Ixodes frontalis
    (2025-11-10) Melis, Sophie; Gammuto, Leandro; Castelli, Michele; Nardi, Tiago; Bisaglia, Beatrice; Duron, Olivier; Cafiso, Alessandra; Botman, Julie; Lambert, Olivier; Olivieri, Emanuela; Sprong, Hein; Plantard, Olivier; Sassera, Davide
    , an ornithophilic tick species, is widely distributed all over Europe exhibiting two genetically diverging haplogroups based on differences in the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene. Despite its broad distribution, little is known about the presence of symbiotic bacteria in , while symbionts are generally widespread in ixodid ticks and responsible for important effects on host fitness. We collected from France and Italy ( 277) and assessed that the most prevalent haplogroup was A (73%). We then investigated the presence of the symbionts, and . They were both found at a high prevalence in adult ticks (66% and 77% respectively), while the number of positive immature ticks was significantly lower (18% for both). The experimental analysis of larvae hatched from egg clutches obtained from four females hints at vertical transmission of both symbionts. We obtained three genomes of and one of and used them to perform comparative genomic analysis. Average nucleotide identity among available or genomes from are all extremely high suggesting low genetic variability for both symbionts. Gene presence/absence analysis confirmed the presence of B vitamin synthesis genes in the genome of , and also showed the presence of the ETX/MTX2 gene, the RIP family and a partial Spaid-like gene in . This gene repertoire indicates a nutritional role for , while for we hypothesize a role of this bacterium as a defensive symbiont or a manipulator of the host reproduction.
  • PublicationMetadata only
    Estimation of the epidemiological characteristics of scabies
    (2025-11-26) Ainslie, Kylie EC; Hooiveld, Mariëtte; Wallinga, Jacco
    Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mite infestation, affecting 400 million people worldwide. Despite this global burden and rising European incidence, fundamental epidemiological characteristics remain unknown. We analyzed symptom onset data from four scabies outbreaks to estimate serial interval. We used surveillance data from the Netherlands (2011-2023) to estimate growth rate and basic and time-varying reproduction numbers. We developed the R package {mitey} which implements the methods used to estimate the serial interval and time-varying reproduction number. Serial interval estimates ranged from 98-167 days with a pooled estimate of 123 days (95% CI: 91, 153). We estimated an annual growth rate of 0.25 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.30) cases per 1000 people and basic reproduction number of 1.09 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.11). Consultations increased over time with seasonal patterns. Transmission peaked in July. Here we show that prevention of 8% of secondary infections through public awareness and targeted measures could control epidemic growth. Our findings underscore the need for better transmission data to inform containment efforts.
  • PublicationMetadata only
    Multiplexable, High-Throughput DNA-Based Technologies in Screening and Confirmatory Testing of Newborn Conditions: A Scoping Review
    (2025-11-13) Fabella, Terence Diane; den Hoed, Joery; Henneman, Lidewij; Rodenburg, Wendy; Ket, Johannes CF; Schouten, Jan; Sistermans, Erik A
    Newborn screening (NBS) is evolving as novel technologies offer the opportunities to include a broader range of treatable disorders in its programs. Multiplexable, high-throughput DNA-based technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) are being explored to improve and expand disease detection, although several issues have been raised with its use. This scoping review aimed to identify multiplexable, high-throughput, DNA-based technologies that were used for screening or confirmatory testing of newborn disorders in published studies. Available evidence on the appropriateness of technologies in the NBS context was extracted. A literature search (Medline, Embase, and Web of Science) was performed from inception up to April 2024 in collaboration with a medical information specialist. After selection, 26 journal articles were included that used these technologies for either screening ( = 12) or confirmatory testing ( = 14). Five technologies were identified: whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, targeted gene sequencing (TGS), quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and MassARRAY. The majority used TGS ( = 19, 73.08%). The data extracted concern mainly technical aspects, and these suggest that a combined approach, i.e., testing via NGS plus a biochemical test, in parallel or reflex, emerges as the optimal option. Ethical and economic evidence is limited and rarely reported in the reviewed articles.
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