NO₂ peak concentrations in the Netherlands, 1986-2002

The EU standard for peak concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) was not exceeded in the Netherlands in 2002.

Favourable trend in concentration of nitrogen dioxide

The EU standard for peak concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is not being exceeded in the Netherlands. Hourly values of about 200 µg/m³ are reached once or twice a year. For example, in 2002, the concentrations at two urban stations and a street station went above 200 µg/m³ for an hour.
The EU standard allows exceedance of the limit of 200 µg/m³ for a maximum of 18 hours a year. This was last observed in 1994 at two street stations. The concentration exceeded for 18 hours during a year fell in the last ten years by an average of 2.5% a year. The NO₂ concentration exceeded for 18 hours was highest in the Randstad urban agglomeration. This is to be expected because the average annual concentration is also highest there.

Different standards for prolonged and brief exposure to NO2

The EU has adopted two limit values for NO₂ concentrations for the protection of public health: one for prolonged exposure and one for brief peak concentrations (EU, 1999).

• For prolonged exposure, the limit value is 40 µg/m³ for the annual average NO₂ concentration (see the figure above). NO2 concentration in the Netherlands (annual average), 1990-2002
• For exposure to peak concentrations of NO₂, the limit value is 200 µg/m³ for the hourly average of NO₂. This value must not be exceeded more than 18 times a calendar year.

With effect from 19 July 2001, these standards have been enacted in Dutch law in the Air Quality Decree (Staatsblad, 2001). Conformity with the limit values is required by 1 January 2010. Until then, the plan thresholds apply. They decline annually until they reach the limit value in 2010. In 2002, the plan threshold for the annual average NO₂ concentration was 56 µg/m³ and 280 µg/m³ for the hourly value, exceedance of which is permitted no more than 18 times a year.

Impact of nitrogen dioxide on nature and public health

Adverse effects of NO₂ on people and ecosystems occur after brief exposure to high levels of NO₂ and after prolonged exposure to low levels of NO₂.

• It is increasingly likely that traffic emissions impact on health. Here, NO₂ is seen as an indicator of the mixture of particulate air pollution, which mainly comes from traffic exhaust fumes. Effects such as impaired lung function may be found in large sectors of the population. Other effects such as more asthma attacks, hospital admissions, cardiovascular disease and premature mortality are less common and often affect people whose health is weaker.
• Effects on nature include leaf damage as a result of the conversion of NO_x in leaf moisture to nitrogen compounds. There is also conversion in the atmosphere of NO₂ to nitrate. This contributes to the acidification and eutrophication of soil and surface water. Overview of environmental themes and impact on nature in the Netherlands

References

• EU (1999). Council Directive 1999/30/ EC of 22 April 1999 relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and lead in ambient air (link to PDF file). Official Journal of the European Communities No L 163/41.
• RIVM (2003). Data based on measurements from the National Air Quality Measurement Network, processed by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. RIVM, Bilthoven.
• Staatsblad (2001) Besluit van 11 juni 2001, houdende uitvoering van de richtlijn 1999/30/EG van de Raad van de Europese Unie van 22 april 1999, betreffende grenswaarden zwaveldioxide, stikstofdioxide en stikstofoxiden, zwevende deeltjes en lood in de lucht (PbEG L 163) en de richtlijn 92/62/EG van de Raad van de Europese Unie van 27 september 1996 inzake de beoordeling van de luchtkwaliteit (PbEG L 296) (Air Quality Decree). Bulletin of Acts, Orders and Decrees 269, 1-58. (Link naar website overheid.nl; gebruik trefwoord 'Besluit luchtkwaliteit'.)

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Dutch air quality: policy
• Dutch air quality: overview of standards
• NO2 concentration in the Netherlands (annual average), 1990-2002
• NOx concentrations in the Netherlands, 1987-2002 (page is not available yet)
• Guide to Environmental theme of Acidification and transboundary air pollution
• Overview of environmental themes and impact on nature in the Netherlands

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• 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.
• Working group on nitrogen dioxide (1997). Position paper on air quality: nitrogen dioxide (link to PDF file). November 1997.
• Information about current and future developments relating to local air pollution can be found in the Environmental Balance 2003 and the National Environmental Outlook 2000-2030.