Written by Nanogenotox WP2 | 02 August 2010

RIVM (Rijksinstituut voor de Volksgezondheid en Milieu - National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) is a governmental research and knowledge institute providing policy support for policy makers and professionals. RIVM is the centre of expertise in the fields of infectious diseases, nutrition and food safety, medicines, and health and environmental safety. RIVM conducts research into public health and environmental issues in the Netherlands. Policymakers use RIVM research findings to develop, implement and enforce policy. RIVM conducts its own research, but also gathers data from all over the world. RIVM has a long-standing and established expertise in the field of epidemiological and (eco)toxicological studies and health and environmental risk assessment. RIVM has extensive expertise in integrated risk assessment in the health, environment, food and non-food sectors and is strongly involved in discussions about the need for new research, regulation and standards in nanotechnology. RIVM is independent and has sole responsibility for its research and publications.

Main tasks in project

Two departments of the RIVM will be involved in the project. The Laboratory for Health Protection Research (GBO) is dedicated to toxicological research in order to provide policy support to the government. GBO investigates, how substances or biological products can either improve or damage health. The Centre for Substances and Integrated Risk Assessment (SIR) evaluates the health risks of various types of substances including modelling of internal exposure and biokinetics. RIVM is WP leader for the WP on toxicokinetics investigating the tissue distribution and kinetics of the ENM in the body. In addition, RIVM contributes to WP5 and WP6 dealing with in vitro and in vivo determination of possible genotoxicity of the ENMs.

RIVM and Nanotechnology

RIVM is a well known government centre in human and environmental hazard and risk assessment. Within the RIVM staff members from all centres/laboratories working on nanotechnology have joined forces in an institute-wide working group. The safety of nanoscience and nanotechnology products is one of the subjects of research as an emerging technology with potential risks for health and environment. Staff involved in the NANOGENOTOX Joint Action Plan has extensive experience in nano(eco)toxicology and modelling research. RIVM participates amongst others in NanoImpactNet, NanoInteract, EU-Observatory, Framing-Nano, ENPRA, CADASTER (with project coordination by RIVM). By the order of the NL Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, RIVM is represented in the OECD Working Party Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN). RIVM also provides scientific input for the Dutch Competent Authorities on these issues. RIVM is assigned as the coordination agency for all exposure, effect and risk assessment issues related to manufacturing, processing, and applying ENMs in the Netherlands. RIVM acts on behalf of 5 Dutch Ministries in this respect. In addition to dealing with regulation of ENMs in both Europe and the Netherlands, RIVM performs scientific research in support of future risk assessment of ENMs.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 September 2010 10:07