Dutch air quality: policy
Policy
The government uses two instruments: firstly, a system of emission targets to reduce the environmental pressure and, secondly, air quality standards to test the concentrations measured.
The emission objectives were formulated in part in the context of the environmental theme Acidification and transboundary air pollution. The emissions policy is designed using a variety of instruments, including emission objectives.
Given EU developments, new standards for air quality are being implemented in Dutch legislation. The old Dutch standards will become obsolete in the process. For testing air quality, there are standards relating to chronic exposure and to peak concentrations, the aim of which is to protect people and ecosystems.
- See the overview of standards for Dutch air quality.
Monitoring data for the air quality of the human living environment
The National Air Quality Measurement Network provides continuous monitoring of environmental quality in the air compartment.
- The measurements serve to appraise air quality using the standards in conjunction with models. The aim is to provide supporting material for the general description of air quality on the national, regional and local scales with a view to providing information about periods of increased air pollution (smog).
- Some monitoring sites of the National Air Quality Monitoring Network are also used in international monitoring networks. Data from these sites are used for studying international air quality.
