Poor air quality along the A7 around childcare centers poses a threat to West Frisian children

According to research by the Noordhollands Dagblad and Investico Van ‘t Veer daycare is in the danger zone according to the GGD guidelines. For example, the children at ‘t Herdertje would ingest too much fine dust due to the proximity of the A7 highway.. “I think that’s terrible,” says Van ‘t Veer. “We do everything we can to ensure that children grow up healthy with the best opportunities for the rest of their life development.”

Good accessibility versus health

Nevertheless, according to Van ‘t Veer, parents do not seem to be very concerned. “Parents find good accessibility very important. If the childcare is next to a road – which is immediately an access route to your work – then parents often consider choosing that location.”

Pulmonologist Leon van den Toorn is concerned, however. The doctor, who works at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, knows exactly what the inhaled particulate matter does to the lungs of babies and children. However, Van den Toorn suspects that many parents are not aware of these health risks. “I’m afraid not everyone is aware of this, especially since fine dust cannot be seen. It is different from the dust that can lie on the windowsill. You can’t see it, you can’t smell it. So I definitely think people are not well aware of it, and actually do not know the dangers very well.”

Nevertheless, Van ‘t Veer is happy with the research. According to her, the outcome of the study is a good way to fuel the ‘discussion about poor air quality’. “And this is not only a problem for West Friesland, it applies to the whole of the Netherlands.”