Personal profile
Personal information
Dr. Virissa Lenters is an Assistant Professor in environmental epidemiology. She received her MSc and PhD in epidemiology from Utrecht University (Registered Epidemiologist B). She investigates how plastic and chemical pollution impact maternal and child health. She is active within national and EU-funded projects researching the health risks of microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. She also investigates disparities in exposure to pollution and factors that promote resilience and susceptibility to environmental insults. She has published >50 peer-reviewed articles; her first-author articles have been cited an average of >70 times to date; and her publications have been cited by >80 policy documents (by ECHA, EFSA, WHO, IARC, RIVM, the Health Council of the Netherlands, US CDC, US EPA, etc). Her teaching and societal engagement more broadly address public health, exposome science, and planetary health.
Research
Selected projects
FLES: Fed with a side of microplastics: interventions to reduce plastic exposure via infant formula and human milk (ZonMw-funded; main applicant; 300k euro; 2023-2025)
AURORA: Actionable European roadmap for early-life health risk assessment of micro- and nanoplastics (EU-funded; co-applicant; 6 mil. euro; 2021-2026)
FREIA: Female reproductive toxicity of EDCs: a human evidence-based screening and identification approach (EU-funded; 2019-2024)
PFAS lichaamsbelasting van lacterende vrouwen: de verspreiding in Nederland (VU & Amsterdam UMC & RIVM; 2024-2026)
Teaching
Various courses: Gezondheid en Leven (Bachelor-level)
Epidemiology for Toxicologists (post-graduate)
Qualification: University Teaching Qualfication (UTQ) / Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs (BKO)
Ancillary activities
- The Health Council of the Netherlands (Gezondheidsraad) | The Hague | Member of the Subcommittee on the Classification of Reproduction Toxic Substances | 2024-01-01 - present
Ancillary activities are updated daily
Personal information
Member of the Subcommittee on the Classification of Reproduction Toxic Substances of the Health Council of the Netherlands (Gezondheidsraad)
Academic qualification
Epidemiology, PhD, Utrecht University
Keywords
- RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
User created Keywords
- Epidemiology
- Environmental health
- Planetary health
- Child health
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Patterns and clusters of diet in relation to metabolic syndrome among adults in Ubungo (urban) and Kilindi (rural) districts, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
Paulo, L. S., Piedade, G. J., Mayala, S., Harris, V., Lenters, V. C., Mende, D. R., Kamuhabwa, A., Kwesigabo, G., Asselbergs, F. W., Chillo, P. & Klipstein-Grobusch, K., 12 Mar 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: BMC Public Health.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
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Metabolic perturbations associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and their relationships with glycated hemoglobin in the Dutch PIAMA birth cohort
Cai, A., Portengen, L., Lenters, V., Remy, S., Zhang, Y., Hassen, H. Y., Dunn, K., Pinto-Pacheco, B., Koppelman, G. H., Legler, J., Gehring, U., Walker, D. I. & Vermeulen, R., Feb 2026, In: Environment International. 208, p. 1-7 7 p., 110113.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access -
Chronic conditions and adolescents’ psychosocial wellbeing: the impact of self-reporting
van der Sprenkel, E. E. B., van der Laan, S. E. I., Finkenauer, C., Lenters, V. C., van de Putte, E. M., Bont, L. J., van der Ent, C. K. & Nijhof, S. L., Jan 2026, In: European Journal of Pediatrics. 185, 1, p. 1-11 11 p., 15.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access -
Air pollution and anti-Müllerian hormone: the Doetinchem Cohort Study
Zou, R., Durkin, A., de Kat, A., van der Schouw, Y. T., Hoek, G., Verschuren, W. M. M., Vermeulen, R. & Lenters, V., Jul 2025, In: Environment International. 201, p. 1-9 9 p., 109565.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access -
Dietary patterns in Tanzania's transitioning rural and urban areas
Paulo, L. S., Lenters, V. C., Chillo, P., Wanjohi, M., Piedade, G. J., Mende, D. R., Harris, V., Kamuhabwa, A., Kwesigabo, G., Asselbergs, F. W. & Klipstein-Grobusch, K., 2025, In: Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. 44, p. 1-15 15 p., 71.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access
Courses
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Female reproductive toxicity of EDCs: a human evidence-based screening and identification approach
Asimaki, K. (Project Researcher), Vazakidou, P. (Project Researcher), Koopmans, C. (Project Researcher), Leonards, P. (Project Researcher), Sugeng, E. (Project Researcher), Lenters, V. (Project Researcher), Lamoree, M. (Project Researcher) & van Duursen, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/01/19 → 30/06/24
Project: Research
Prizes / Grants
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Fed with a side of microplastics: interventions to reduce plastic exposure via infant formula and human milk (FLES project))
Lenters, V. (Recipient) & Lamoree, M. (Recipient), 16 Oct 2023
Prize / Grant: Grant › Academic
Press/Media
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Microplastics have not yet earned their bad reputation
16/04/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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RTL Nieuws: commentaar op de nieuwe Pesticiden Eetwijzer
23/01/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Belgisch onderzoek: luchtverontreiniging kan doordringen tot in de baarmoeder
17/09/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment