Summary of the second Netherlands Research Program on Particulate Matter (BOP II)
report
High levels of particulate matter (PM10) in the air are associated with adverse health effects. In order to take effective policy measures, it is of importance to have a sound knowledge about the origin and composition of particulate matter. The latest findings are now discussed in this summary. Elevated levels of particulate matter are mainly caused by human activity. From this summary it is concluded that besides carbon, particulate matter mainly consists of nitrogen and sulfur: their contribution to particulate matter appears to be twice as large than previously assumed. About 1/3 of the anthropogenic particulate matter is of Dutch origin and 2/3 originates in foreign countries. For this reason, not only national but also international policy measures are necessary in order to decrease particulate matter concentrations.
Contribution from traffic to particulate matter is limited Agriculture and traffic are the main sources of particulate matter emissions in the Netherlands. Focusing on traffic, it is shown that the contribution from local traffic to particulate matter is relatively small with respect to other sources: the concentrations close to busy streets are elevated by approximately 15% with respect to the surrounding. Due to this the options, in order to reduce particulate matter concentrations by local policy measures are limited. Contribution traffic to soot and heavy metals emissions relevant Particulate matter includes soot and heavy metals. If one zooms in into these components, traffic is shown to be a major source: the concentrations of soot and heavy metals are locally two to three times higher along busy streets and roads in the Netherlands. Soot comes from the exhaust of cars and heavy metals are released by wear of brake discs and tires. This insight offers the possibility to affect the concentrations of these components by local policy measures. This is especially important because both soot and heavy metal probably have higher negative effects on human health than other components of particulate matter. The overview in this report, results from the Netherlands Research Program on Particulate Matter II performed by RIVM, TNO and ECN on the initiative of the government (BOP II, 2010-2012). BOP II program is the successor of the first Policy Oriented Research Particulate Matter (BOP), conducted from 2007 till 2009. The BOP programs aim at reducing scientific uncertainties in the measurement and calculation of particulate matter. With these insights, the effects of policy measures on particulate matter concentrations are better estimated.
Contribution from traffic to particulate matter is limited Agriculture and traffic are the main sources of particulate matter emissions in the Netherlands. Focusing on traffic, it is shown that the contribution from local traffic to particulate matter is relatively small with respect to other sources: the concentrations close to busy streets are elevated by approximately 15% with respect to the surrounding. Due to this the options, in order to reduce particulate matter concentrations by local policy measures are limited. Contribution traffic to soot and heavy metals emissions relevant Particulate matter includes soot and heavy metals. If one zooms in into these components, traffic is shown to be a major source: the concentrations of soot and heavy metals are locally two to three times higher along busy streets and roads in the Netherlands. Soot comes from the exhaust of cars and heavy metals are released by wear of brake discs and tires. This insight offers the possibility to affect the concentrations of these components by local policy measures. This is especially important because both soot and heavy metal probably have higher negative effects on human health than other components of particulate matter. The overview in this report, results from the Netherlands Research Program on Particulate Matter II performed by RIVM, TNO and ECN on the initiative of the government (BOP II, 2010-2012). BOP II program is the successor of the first Policy Oriented Research Particulate Matter (BOP), conducted from 2007 till 2009. The BOP programs aim at reducing scientific uncertainties in the measurement and calculation of particulate matter. With these insights, the effects of policy measures on particulate matter concentrations are better estimated.
TNO Identifier
998147
Publisher
RIVM
Collation
44 p.