MNP air quality assessments reap international praise

MNP air quality assessments rated excellent

Model calculations closely watched

The current debate in politics and society on the consequences of implementing the Netherlands Air Quality Decree (based on European Union directives) is responsible for the limit values for airborne particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide being exceeded on a large scale in the Netherlands. The social consequences are far-reaching, considering that the impacts of such violations on new spatial developments, such as housing construction and infrastructure, may lead to postponement or even cancellation. Important detrimental health effects are also attributed to airborne particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. Yearly, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP) produces air quality maps for the use of local authorities in examining projects, including infrastructural ones. MNP’s air quality models are instrumental in the calculations used here.

Excellent rating

The international committee’s evaluation, which took place in December 2005, included the following MNP air quality models and assessments:

• OPS for calculating deposition and concentrations in the Netherlands
• LOTOS-EUROS for calculating deposition and concentrations on the European scale (developed in collaboration with TNO and RIVM)
• RAINS.NL for international policy evaluations (developed in collaboration with IIASA in Austria).

Besides rating the air quality assessments of MNP as excellent, the committee also recommended that the models and assessments be further developed. MNP has endorsed the findings of the committee and will undertake actions to implement the recommendations.