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Rotterdam
Air Quality Improvement
In the 1970ies air pollution was mainly industrial. Early improvement strategies were
directed at the stationary sources, partly using environmental licensing, partly through
a joint (voluntary) action plan by the EPA and the industry. Efforts focussed on SO2 and
soot emissions, and the storage and leakage emissions of VHC-s. National programs improved
fuel quality (reduce sulphur, benzene and lead). Current licensing for industrial developments
is strict (BAT or better) as there is little environmental space to accommodate new emissions.
In the harbour, dust nuisance has continued until recently though great improvements have been
achieved. In the past few years the use of crusting material to prevent fugitive dust emissions
and online emission monitoring for coal and ore storage sites contribute to further emission
reduction.
Industrial emissions in general (rest of the country, abroad) cause high background concentrations,
particularly of PM. Attempt to reduce emissions even outside the Rijnmond, for example by the
EC’s national emission ceiling,, is contributes to solve local problems.
With industrial emissions declining, transport (shipping and traffic) is becoming an important
source. The absolute amount of traffic emissions has gone down over the past years (due to
technological improvements) despite strongly increasing intensities. Nevertheless, for ambient
concentrations, traffic is the main source as it concerns low level emissions and traffic is
intimately linked to areas where people dwell. To improve air quality Rotterdam supports all
international efforts to improve shipping fuel (e.g. sulphur reductions) and the region actively
advocates stricter Euro limits for (freight) vehicles. Local measures include: the smoothing of
traffic flows (speed limits, access control, clever traffic light management), "noise screens"
to improve dispersion, improve park and ride facilities, encourage a modal shift (lorries to ships,
trains), etc.
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