Benzo[a]pyrene concentration in the Netherlands, 1988-2002

The concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in outside air have remained approximately equal over the last ten years. B[a]P is considered to be a substance that acts as an indicator for the mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).

Concentration of benzo[a]pyrene stable

Since 1990, concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) have been stable. The average annual concentration of B[a]P in outside air did not exceed the standard of 1 ng/m³. There are probably only occasional exceedances alongside roads.

• Air quality alongside traffic routes in the Netherlands, 1990-2002

Standard for exposure to benzo[a]pyreen in outside air

The Dutch standard for the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC) for this B[a]P is 1 ng/m³ for the annual average concentration. The European Union has prepared a quality standard for the B[a]P concentration in ambient air (EU, 2003). The EU standard for the annual average B[a]P concentration is 1 ng/m³. This standard still has to be included in Dutch legislation.

• Dutch air quality: overview of standards.

Impact of benzo[a]pyrene and PAHs on nature and public health

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) make up a group of some hundreds of organic compounds. The PAH components vary considerably in terms of physical and chemical properties and in terms of risks for people and ecosystems. A number of components are considered to be carcinogenic for humans. Benzo[a]pyrene is a PAH and makes a major contribution to the carcinogenic profile of PAH in outside air.

Technical note

Concentrations of BAP are measured at four sites. The concentrations along traffic routes are based on models and involve relatively high levels of uncertainty. There are however no systematic measurements which are relevant for the levels in busy streets and which can supplement our understanding.

References

• EU (1996). Council Directive 62/27/EC of 27 September 1996 on ambient air quality assessment and management (Air Quality Framework Directive)
  Official Journal of the European Communities No L 296 of 21/11/1996, pages 0055 - 0063
• EU (2005).Directive 2004/107/EC of the European parliament and of the council of 15 December 2004 relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air (link to pdf file). Official Journal of the European Communities No L 23/3, pages 0055 - 0063
• RIVM/Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (2003). Data based on measurements from the National Air Quality Measurement Network processed by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. RIVM, Bilthoven.
• DCMR, Lucht in cijfers Luchtkwaliteit in het Rijnmondgebied, Tabellenboek.
• Meijer, W. en D. de Jonge, Datarapport Luchtkwaliteit Haarlemmermeer, resultaten 2002. Provincie Noord-Holland, June 2003.
• Provincie Noord-Holland en Corus, Datarapport Luchtkwaliteit IJmond, resultaten 2002. April 2003.

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• Working group on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (2001). Ambient air pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (PDF file). Position paper. July 2001.
• More information about concentrations of substances in the air can be found on the site of the National Air Quality Measurement Network.
• RIVM (2001). Jaaroverzicht luchtkwaliteit 1998 en 1999. RIVM, report 725 301 006, Bilthoven.
• RIVM (2002). Jaaroverzicht luchtkwaliteit 2000. RIVM, report 725 301 008, Bilthoven.
• RIVM (2002). Jaaroverzicht luchtkwaliteit 2001. RIVM, report 725 301 009, Bilthoven.
• RIVM (2004) Jaaroverzicht luchtkwaliteit 2002. RIVM, report 500037 004, Bilthoven.
• Information about current and future developments relating to local air pollution can be found in the Environmental Balance 2005 and the National Environmental Outlook 2000-2030.