📋 Tender Overview
Until Sunday 10 September 2023, the air quality is expected to be insufficient to poor throughout the Netherlands due to smog caused by ozone and particulate matter. There is also a stookalert for the whole of the Netherlands. The expected high concentrations of particulate matter are in addition to the previously reported ozone concentrations. People who are sensitive to smog can suffer from this. RIVM advises them to stay indoors and limit heavy physical exertion. This advice applies especially in the afternoon and early evening, because that is when the air is most polluted.
Smog caused by ozone can lead to an increase in respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath, worsening asthma symptoms and a decrease in lung function. Irritation to the eyes, nose and throat can also occur. People with respiratory diseases, children and the elderly are relatively often sensitive to smog. In case of complaints, contact your doctor or the GCD(Municipal Health Service).
An increased concentration of particulate matter in the air, together with other air pollution, can lead to reduced lung function, worsening asthma and COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ) and an increase in respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Especially people with lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, and people with cardiovascular diseases can suffer from this. The elderly and children can also be extra sensitive to severe smog.
Stookalert
Due to the high concentrations of particulate matter, RIVM advises not to burn wood throughout the Netherlands. Wood burning leads to extra particulate matter emissions and thus to (even) higher particulate matter concentrations. By issuing a steam boiler, we hope that the air quality will not deteriorate even further. More information about the stookalert via www.rivm.nl/stookalert.
Ozone and particulate matter forecast after Sunday
RIVM expects ozone and particulate matter concentrations to remain high until Sunday 10 September. From Monday 11 September, RIVM does not expect any smog.
Smog due to ozone
Smog caused by ozone occurs when air pollution accumulates on sunny days. The pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, are converted into ozone under the influence of sunlight. The greatest chance of smog due to ozone is therefore in the summer months. In other months, the power of the sun is generally too small to produce high ozone concentrations.
Smog due to particulate matter
Particulate matter is a mixture of all kinds of airborne dust particles. These can be of natural origin or are caused by humans. High concentrations of particulate matter (smog) usually occur in periods of high air pressure, when the weather is clear and nice and there is a weak to moderate easterly wind.
European information and alert threshold for ozone
In Europe, an information and alert threshold has been set for ozone. The EU(European Union )information threshold is 180 micrograms of ozone per cubic metre of air. If this value is (imminently) exceeded, people who are sensitive to smog can get complaints. RIVM will then issue a warning. The air quality is then 'poor' according to the Dutch Air Quality Index.
The EU alert threshold is 240 micrograms of ozone per cubic metre of air ("very poor" according to the Dutch air quality index). When this value is exceeded, everyone can get complaints. If this threatens to happen, RIVM converts the warning into an alarm.
Dutch information threshold for particulate matter
In the Netherlands, an information threshold has been set for particulate matter for a daily average concentration of 70 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic metre of air. If RIVM expects a daily average concentration higher than the information threshold, RIVM will issue a warning. The air quality is then 'poor' according to the Dutch Air Quality Index.
