1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:04,360 SILENCE 2 00:00:04,520 --> 00:00:10,240 TRANQUIL MUSIC 3 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:30,560 THE TRANQUIL MUSIC FADES AWAY 4 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:34,520 VOICE-OVER: Poor air quality is a threat to our health and well-being. 5 00:00:34,680 --> 00:00:40,200 The main sources of air pollution are traffic, industry and livestock farming. 6 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:43,560 RIVM monitors air quality in the Netherlands 7 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:46,400 and advises the government authorities. 8 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:48,720 This is a complex process. 9 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:53,320 The strength of RIVM is that it covers the entire chain. 10 00:00:53,480 --> 00:00:57,600 KEES VAN LUIJK: RIVM is the national institute for environmental monitoring. 11 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:00,320 We do air quality measurements 12 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:05,600 but we also have a model with traffic and industry, all the emission sources, 13 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:08,880 and the model calculates the air quality. 14 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:12,720 So we can compare the measurements with calculations 15 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:17,160 and together we can give advice to the government 16 00:01:17,320 --> 00:01:20,320 about air quality and improving air quality. 17 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,920 VOICE-OVER: RIVM researches the impact that air pollution has on people, 18 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:26,800 because that impact is significant. 19 00:01:26,960 --> 00:01:30,440 Long-term exposure to fine particulates in the atmosphere 20 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:35,080 can aggravate various cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. 21 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:37,320 Efforts to improve air quality 22 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:43,400 are set out in the National Air Quality Cooperation Programme, or NSL. 23 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:50,240 RIVM monitors air quality, using the national Air Quality Monitoring Network. 24 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:52,600 Sixty permanent monitoring stations 25 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:57,120 register the concentrations of certain substances in the atmosphere. 26 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:01,880 RIVM also uses this data as input for models. 27 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:09,240 One notable monitoring station is the site of the 213 metre tall Cabauw mast, 28 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:13,040 which was erected by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. 29 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:16,800 Instruments are mounted at various heights to monitor variables 30 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:21,880 such as particulates, nitrogen oxides and wind speed. 31 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:26,360 RIVM also has mobile monitoring equipment, 32 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:30,680 seen here close to the industrial centre of Pernis, near Rotterdam. 33 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,680 Lasers are used to scan for sulphur dioxide emissions 34 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:37,600 in and around the plumes of smoke. 35 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:43,640 The equipment systematically zooms in on predetermined segments of the atmosphere. 36 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:47,480 UPBEAT MUSIC 37 00:02:47,640 --> 00:02:49,440 MARGREET VAN ZANTEN: Well, many people know 38 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:51,640 that air pollution can be harmful for people 39 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:55,520 but air pollution can be harmful for nature as well, 40 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,080 because in the air we have all kinds of compounds 41 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:00,000 that have nitrogen in them 42 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:05,160 and if this nitrogen is deposited on the ground, it acts as a kind of fertiliser. 43 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:11,040 And this fertilisation of nature leads to a depleted ecosystem. 44 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:16,320 THE UPBEAT MUSIC CONTINUES 45 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:21,240 VOICE-OVER: International measures have been agreed to limit damage to ecosystems. 46 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,520 The National Acidification Trend Monitoring Network 47 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:28,720 helps to monitor the long-term effects of those measures. 48 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:33,160 Groundwater sampling is a reliable method that is used for this purpose. 49 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:37,200 THE UPBEAT MUSIC CONTINUES 50 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:40,360 The Ammonia in Nature Areas monitoring network 51 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:43,600 records ammonia concentrations in the air. 52 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:48,360 Small glass tubes fitted with a filter are sent to RIVM. 53 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:54,720 With samples taken at 236 sites nationwide, a reliable impression is obtained 54 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:59,480 of ammonia concentrations in nature areas throughout the country. 55 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:04,240 European policy on nitrogen compounds has been implemented in the Netherlands 56 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:07,200 in the programmatic action plan for nitrogen. 57 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:12,320 The main role of RIVM in this programmatic approach is to monitor 58 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:16,800 whether nitrogen deposition in those nature areas is decreasing. 59 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,400 VOICE-OVER: Air pollution is not restricted by national boundaries. 60 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,080 International policy is therefore essential. 61 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:25,400 VAN LUIJK: Air quality is an international issue. 62 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:28,520 Air pollution is crossing borders. 63 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:34,440 We have a lot of contact with our colleagues in other countries, 64 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:39,400 so that we meet the same requirements for measurements and calculations 65 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:41,840 and we have the same advice for governments 66 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:44,640 and international air quality policy. 67 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:47,400 VOICE-OVER: The quality of the Netherlands' air, soil and water 68 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:48,880 is steadily improving. 69 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:52,520 Through its independent research and its advisory role, 70 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:58,520 RIVM is making a significant contribution to a better, cleaner environment. 71 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:01,680 THE UPBEAT MUSIC FADES AWAY