During a residents evening about the ultrafine particles report of the RIVM, residents around Schiphol were able to ask the researchers their questions. Residents mainly asked about the way in which research was conducted. The concrete consequences of ultrafine particles in the air were also a reason to ask questions.
The residents’ evening was organized by the municipality of Haarlemmermeer and the RIVM in response to the report that appeared a month ago. The conclusions of the report: the risk of cardiovascular disease and developmental problems in unborn children near the airport could possibly be greater than elsewhere in the country.
Concerned Residents
Many villages were represented tonight in the small hall of Schouwburg De Meerse in Hoofddorp. After alderman for airport affairs Jurgen Nobel opened the evening, René van der Ent, head researcher at RIVM, took over and talked about the way in which the research was conducted.
Residents could then ask their questions: “Were fine particles measured in addition to ultrafine particles”, a man from Nieuwe Meer wondered. They also ask about the concrete consequences for the body: “What does the body do with the ultrafine particles?”
The answer from lead researcher Danny Houthuis: “Because particles are small, they are less well recognized by the body than larger particles and can therefore end up in different places than particulate matter.”
Handles for the residents
The conclusions in the previously published report should be taken seriously by residents. “But”, says Van der Ent, “more research needs to be done.”
Still, residents want something to hold onto in the meantime. A man from Zwanenburg therefore asks for guidance, another asks whether an app can not be developed to warn residents about large amounts of ultrafine particles in the air.
Exposure
The official report was released by RIVM in mid-June. RIVM conducted research in 30 municipalities around Schiphol. This showed that exposure to ultrafine particles from aircraft around the airport could possibly lead to adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and the development of the unborn child.
The meeting could be followed live and can also be viewed via this link†