Air quality in North Brabant
No one in Brabant lives in a place with healthy air.
According to a study from the ‘Brabantse’ GGD. The most recent data come from measurements of 2019. “The World Health Organisation advisory values for air quality are not met at any address in Brabant” reports the GGD (Public Health Service) to ‘Hart voor Brabant’.
The traffic, industry, and animal husbandry influence the air quality in the region. Measurements are the foundation for determining air quality. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) monitors air quality with measurements (National Air Quality Monitoring Network) and calculations. Using the results of measurements and model calculations, RIVM produces annual concentration maps for the Netherlands. On the website luchtmeetnet, you can find the measured air quality of approximately 75 locations in the Netherlands.
Rotating air quality monitoring stations
The province wants Brabant to be an excellent, safe, and healthy province to live in and take. Clean air is, therefore, a basic requirement. And the more measuring stations there are, the better the air quality measured – and therefore – calculated. The number of measurement locations in the Netherlands is, however, limited because setting up and maintaining the stations is costly. The rotating monitoring stations will remain at a location for at least six months, but if the results warrant, that can be extended. Measurement data can be tracked at: brabantluchtmeet.net.
Damage to health
Air pollution in Brabant causes a lot of damage to health such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and lung disorders. There are more measures needed to further improve air quality, conclude the GGDs in Brabant. For instance, municipalities can participate in the Clean Air Agreement. But businesses and ‘Brabanders’ can also contribute to healthier air. Lower exposure to air pollution always results in health benefits.
What can you do yourself?
Residents from North Brabant can also make their contribution to improving air quality. North Brabant residents can also do their bit to improve air quality. Leave the fireplace or fire basket off and travel more by bike or on foot instead of by car. The GGD provides information on what you can do yourself for clean air on its website. Anyone can also call on their municipality to join the Clean Air Agreement.
Healthy air at home
If you live in a region with unhealthy outside air, the air quality indoors requires extra care. The first step to a healthy indoor climate is monitoring the CO2 values in a room. A CO2 meter measures the number of carbon dioxide in the air, expressed in PPM (parts per million). Based on the CO2 values in a room, action can be taken. A value of 800 or higher requires better ventilation in the room. At a PPM of 1200 and above, health problems arise. Measure = to know.
If you use mechanical ventilation, check carefully which filters you need. There is a direct connection between the air quality in a room and what the situation is like outside. You bring that air indoors to ventilate. Our filters capture particles of various sizes and are divided into different classes, depending on the degree and presence of particulate matter in the environment. We are happy to help you make the right choice to have and maintain a healthy climate at home or work.
Written by Mirjam
Customer Sales Support at Tops Luftfilter
Want to know more?
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Want to know more about this topic? Then also read our blog about particulate matter!