Environment and Health

The VU’s Department of Environment & Health conducts academic research and training to strengthen our understanding of the impacts of environmental contaminants on human health and the environment.

Multiple disciplines such as analytical chemistry, (eco)toxicology, risk assessment, epidemiology and health sciences are brought together to both educate students and conduct world class research. The systems studied by this unique group span from the molecular level to populations, ecosystems and society.

Graduates of E&H academic programs are able to bring their fundamental understanding of the chemical contamination, toxicological effects and health aspects needed to find solutions to global health issues. E&H’s researchers make use of state-of-the-art technical equipment and methodologies and their large international network to provide knowledge of the impacts of emerging contaminants to science, industry, governments and society. E&H’s expertise and research output make an important contribution to the knowledge needed for informed environmental governance of the most pressing environmental pollution issues.

Mission of the department

Publications
View all of our publications, sorted by year of release and categorized by publication type, ranging from journal articles and doctoral theses to lectures and conference contributions.

Research

The unique combination of chemists, toxicologists and epidemiologists enables a holistic approach of environmental and human health research topics.

Our expertise and research output make an important contribution to the knowledge needed for informed environmental governance of the most pressing environmental pollution issues.

A wide range of analytical instruments is available to identify and quantify the various contaminants in all sorts of matrices and to determine their toxicity.

Education programmes

Several of our staff members participate in the Bachelor's programme Health and Life Sciences, which is taught in Dutch. This programme is unique in The Netherlands and focusses on all aspects of life, health and disease and how these are related to genetic, social, biotic, behavioural and physical influences.

View the Bachelor’s programme Health and Life Sciences.

A wide range of first-class analytical and toxicological instruments are available. These are used to identify and quantify various contaminants in all sorts of matrices and to determine their toxicity. Our labs include special rooms for gas and liquid chromatography, both connected to mass spectrometry. The modern lab for the extraction and clean-up of environmental samples, incl. a special clean air room, toxicological lab & zebrafish facility.