Measuring is knowing. With this adage, the University of Groningen (RUG) is helping local residents of the Greenblocks/PreZero company in Coevorden. The university provides the neighborhood with small particulate matter meters. Although the residents first had to assemble the cabinets themselves.
These are fairly simple, but very sensitive particulate matter meters in small cabinets, says Theo Jurriens on behalf of the RUG. Through previous publications of RTV Drenthe, he learned about the current discussion about wood dust and other emissions at the company. Residents living near the company say they have been suffering from this for a long time.
Due to insufficient measurement data, no clear conclusions could be drawn from a recent GGD report. “It is not possible to make firm statements about the health risks based on two measuring points,” the report states.
Jurriens does not dare to promise whether these extra particulate matter meters will provide a solution. “In fact, they only measure whether or not there is particulate matter in the air, and if so, to what extent. So if the meters show a certain peak, that does not say much about the origin of the particulate matter or its composition.” According to the researcher, the meters at least provide an initial indication. “And it is also nice that residents gain insight for themselves in this way.”
The particulate matter boxes contain a chip the size of half a cigarette box, a ‘mini vacuum cleaner’ and a small laser. “These devices measure whether there is particulate matter in the air and how large those particles are,” says Jurriens. “The data can be read in real time via the internet. The measurements also appear in the RIVM network.”
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