The approach to particulate matter in the Netherlands is stalling. This is shown by research by TNO† The emission of ultrafine particles is hardly limited, while it is precisely the smallest pollution particles in the air that probably cause the greatest damage to health.
The current approach to particulate matter leads to little or no health gain. Stricter standards and measures such as particulate filters have more than halved the amount of particulate matter in the air since 1990. Initially, this also had a clear positive effect on people’s health, but since 2015 no health improvements have been visible. This is because current policy barely tackles the tiniest particles – ultrafine particles – say researchers at TNO. “The smallest particles penetrate deeply into the lungs and even into the bloodstream, causing damage to the heart, vessels and brain,” explains Paula Bronsveld, Air Quality Program Manager at TNO.
cause of death
In the top ten causes of death in the Netherlands, particulate matter is in sixth place, after (serious) overweight. Particulate matter is responsible for about 9,000 premature deaths per year. That number must be halved by 2030 at the latest, as has been agreed in the Clean Air Agreement of the national government, provinces and municipalities.
However, this will not work with the current approach, says TNO. This approach is based on reducing the total mass of particulate matter in the air. That is why it is mainly the largest particles that are tackled, such as soot. But it is precisely the particles that can be more than a hundred times smaller – the ultrafine particles – that cause the greatest damage to health. The composition also makes a difference. For example, chemical substances released after the combustion of diesel, petrol and wood are much more toxic than, for example, desert dust.
TNO argues that the approach to particulate matter must therefore be focused more specifically on the particles that damage health the most. Which sources these are differs per location. For example, in the Rijnmond near Rotterdam, exhaust gases from ships (sulphur) are by far the most important source of harmful ultrafine particles. In the IJmond it is about emissions from industry, it is known that local residents of Tata Steel more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. Aircraft exhaust fumes are a major culprit around Schiphol and Eindhoven.
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