New insights into the scale of the particulate matter problem in the Netherlands

Summary

The scale of the particulate matter problem is smaller than previously considered based on these lower concentrations. According to the prognoses the number of locations where the European limit value for daily average particulate matter concentration is expected to be exceeded in 2010 will be more than halved compared to earlier estimates.

Bottlenecks reduced

Bottlenecks will remain in the larger cities in the Randstad (urban conglomeration in the west), the south and along a number of busy roadways. The more than proportional reductions in bottlenecks are due to a large number of locations in the previous estimates where concentrations were just above the European limit value. New insights had hardly any influence on the expected health effects, with long-term exposure to particulate matter and the associated health effects estimated at 10-15% lower. The current national policy remains cost effective, especially related to traffic.

Compliance in future possible

Limit values are currently exceeded in large areas. While it was previously thought that this would hardly change in the coming 20 years, the current limit values are now seen as being attainable. The particulate matter problem can be solved by 2015 with additional local, national and European policies. The European Commission will have to grant a postponement, however, to accommodate compliance with the limit values, which should have been realised in 2005.