Clearing the air (English summary)
The Netherlands is compliant with almost all the current emission ceilings and limit values for air pollutants, but this does not rule out the possibility of health effects occurring. The transport sector is a major emitter of substances harmful to health such as NOx, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter.
This report is available in Dutch
In recent years, though, transport emissions have fallen more than in other sectors, mainly as a result of European policies. If known technologies such as particulate filters and SCR catalytic converters are used properly, and this continues, they can reduce emissions and ambient air concentrations of these pollutants even further. There is as yet no policy for particulates from wear and tear of road vehicles, including metal particles from tyres and brakes. There are indications that particulates from wear and tear are harmful to health, although the precise health effects are not yet fully known.
These are some of the findings in the report ‘Clearing the Air’ by KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis. The report investigates the contribution made by transport to the emission of substances harmful to health now and in the future. It discusses the technical measures available to further reduce emissions and ambient concentrations of air pollutants, as well as identifying leverage points for policy intervention. The report was prepared at the request of the Directorate for Climate, Air and Noise of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. It pays special attention to the question of whether there are non-regulated substances that may have health effects and for which there is little or no policy response.
This report is available in Dutch.