Emissions to air, 1990-2002*
The emissions of most substances fell between 2001 and 2002. Carbon dioxide levels have continued to rise, albeit slightly.
| 1990 | 1995 | 1999 1) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002* | |
| Acidifying emissions | million kg | |||||
| Sulphur dioxide (SO2) | 204 | 142 | 105 | 91 | 90 | 85 |
| Nitrogen oxides such as NO2 | 599 | 518 | 463 | 447 | 436 | 430 |
| Ammonia (NH3) | 232 | 193 | 167 | 152 | 142 | 136 |
| Greenhouse gases | million kg | |||||
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | 167 578 | 179 451 | 175 919 | 179 778 | 187 344 | 187 697 |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) 2) | 49 | 55 | 52 | 50 | 47 | 46 |
| Methane (CH4) | 1 302 | 1 190 | 1 021 | 969 | 949 | 892 |
| CFC, HFC, halones and SF6 | 7.6 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
| Organic compounds | million kg | |||||
| VOC3) | 490 | 362 | 287 | 267 | 251 | 244 |
| Benzene | 10 | 7.6 | 5) | 5.8 | 5.7 | 5.5 |
| 1 000 kg | ||||||
| Fluoranthene | 102 | 65 | 5) | 51 | 39 | 30 |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 4.9 | 2.8 | 5) | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| PAH (VROM 10) | 1 726 | 917 | 5) | 587 | 500 | 462 |
| g 4) | ||||||
| Dioxine | 611 | 67 | 5) | 31 | 30 | 29 |
| Metal compounds | 1 000 kg | |||||
| Cadmium (Cd) | 2.0 | 1.0 | 5) | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 11 | 8.2 | 5) | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Copper (Cu) | 19 | 20 | 5) | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Mercury (Hg) | 3.0 | 1.1 | 5) | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Lead (Pb) | 335 | 159 | 5) | 29 | 33 | 34 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 84 | 96 | 5) | 30 | 35 | 33 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 221 | 144 | 5) | 94 | 90 | 90 |
| Other compounds | million kg | |||||
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 1 130 | 851 | 724 | 702 | 676 | 656 |
| Particulate matter (PM10) | 81 | 61 | 5) | 51 | 48 | 46 |
| Source: CCDM (2003). | CBS/EDC/Aug03/0079 | |||||
| 1) The figures for 1999 have not been recalculated and may therefore no longer be valid. 2) Excluding emissions from non-agricultural soil (2.4 million kg) and surface water biogenic processes (3.8 million kg). 3) Volatile organic compounds, excluding methane. 4) Expressed in grams of International Toxicity Equivalents (I-TEQ), i.e. the number of gram equivalents to the most toxic dioxine. 5) Figures not available; particularly for the emissions of particulate matter from Industry (and refineries) and the derived emissions of metal compounds. The separate quantities for the components included under VOC are also unavailable. | ||||||
Causes of emissions to air
The emissions are caused by the combustion of motor fuels by vehicles or stationary sources or by industrial processes. Emissions caused by natural sources are not included here.
Technical note
For stationary sources, some of the emission data come from the environmental reports of individual companies. The remainder is estimated on the basis of statistical data from, for example, the energy and production statistics of Statistics Netherlands.
Due to incomplete observations in 1999, particularly in industry, it was not possible to calculate a definitive emission figure for a number of substances.
References
- CCDM (2003). Emissiemonitor. Jaarcijfers 2001 en ramingen 2002. Datawarehouse-Emissieregistratie. Coördinatiecommissie Doelgroepmonitoring, The Hague. You can find descriptions of the calculation method in the meta-information of the Emissiemonitor on the Emissieregistratie website.
Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
- Uncertainties about emissions to air
- Guide to the 'Environmental pressure by theme' section for more data about emissions by environmental theme. These sections also contain policy objectives and standards.
- Guide to 'Global air quality' section
- Guide to 'National air quality' section
- Guide to 'Impact of environmental pressure on nature' section
- Guide to 'Impact on public health' section
Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium
- Recent emission data and descriptions of the calculation methods used (meta-information) can be viewed in detail on the Data Warehouse of the 'Emissieregistratie'.
- Emission data can also be found on Statline of Statistics Netherlands.
