In the Netherlands a large proportion of the disease burden linked to environmental factors can be attributed to particulate matter. Every year, approximately 9,000 people die prematurely from exposure to particulate matter. In the near future, the focus is expected to shift from particulate matter (<10 micron) to ultrafine particulate matter (<0.1 micron). At present, systematically determining the composition of particulate matter in the air is a costly and complex process. EMSA is therefore working to develop the necessary technology relating to:
the testing and implementation of good measurement strategies
the application of particle characterisation to allow complex particulate mixtures to be unravelled
the development of dispersion models for different types of particulate matter (making every effort to achieve iterative improvements in allocating particulate emissions to their source)
knowledge of the local composition of particulate matter and the clear translation of this knowledge into an insightful health indicator
the provision of advice on (local) measures and (industrial) solutions to limit the health-related impacts of particulate emissions.