Guide to 'Impact on public health' section

Human health is under pressure from the deterioration of environmental quality. Noise, particulate matter and ozone, and UV radiation are known causes of health problems. Toxic substances, for example dioxins, furans and PCBs, are also found in food and even in breast milk.

Index Impact on public health

• Health effects caused by environmental factors in the Netherlands
• Overview of environment-related health risks in the Netherlands
• Health effects in the Netherlands of particulate matter and ozone, 2000
• Dioxins, furans and PCBs in breast milk of mothers in the Netherlands, 1988-1998
• PCB and mercury in eels in the Netherlands, 1980-2000
• Additional risk in the Netherlands of skin cancer due to increase in UV radiation, 1980-2000
• Health problems in the Netherlands caused by the indoor environment, 1997
• Health problems in the Netherlands related to recreation in surface water, 1990-1999
• Environmental complaints about companies in the Netherlands, 2001
• Complaints about aircraft noise from Schiphol, 1986-2001

The Kompas Volksgezondheid and the Atlas Volksgezondheid (Public Health Compass and Atlas) contain much more information about the health of the Dutch population, the causes of diseases and disorders, and health care in the Netherlands.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Environmental pressure for the themes Toxic and hazardous substances (chemical substances)
• Index Dutch air quality for information about, for example, particulate matter and ozone at ground level.
• UV radiation in the Netherlands, 1980-2001
• Quality of bathing water, 1992-2003
• Index Living environment for information about, for example, noise and odour nuisance, the probability of an accident (external safety) and radiation.