Particulate Matter (PM)

Particulate matter spreads over long distances, and emissions in one country will influence air quality in other countries. As a consequence, local air quality can only be improved as the result of a joint effort of neighbouring countries. Therefore, international knowledge exchange in the field of reduction technologies and practical reduction policies regarding fine particles is necessary.

Action Plan on Industrial Fine Particle Emissions   
Adopted on 12 June 2008 by the Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, the Association of Provincial Authorities and the Association of Netherlands Municipalities
The Action Plan on Industrial Fine Particle Emissions is an elaboration of the National Air Quality Cooperation Programme ( NSL), which aims to improve air quality in the Netherlands in the years to come and to achieve timely compliance with the limit values for PM10 and NO2. This is necessary to reduce the negative effects of air pollution on public health and to allow spatial projects which have been put on hold by the Council of State, because they do not comply with air quality legislation, to go ahead. The Netherlands also wants to show the European Commission that it is doing all it can, within reason, to comply with the limit values in order to qualify for a derogation from the air quality standards. Measures will need to be introduced in all sectors, including industry, if these objectives are to be achieved.

DustConf 2007
April 23^rd-24^th 2007, Maastricht, The Netherlands
DustConf 2007 is a conference about the reduction of air pollution, caused by particulate matter. The conference will provide an exchange of information between research, industry and government. The focus of DustConf 2007 will be on technical measures and government policy to reduce emissions from industrial activities, from agriculture and from other stationary sources of particulate matter like domestic heating. This conference will create an opportunity for an extensive knowledge exchange between policymakers, experts, environmental managers, consultants from different countries and organisations. DustConf 2007 focuses on reduction technologies and practical reduction policies and EU- directive implementation methods for stationary sources in industry and agriculture. DustConf 2007 is hosted by eight partners from four European states. SenterNovem/ InfoMil is one of the partners.

Clean Air For Europe ( CAFE)
CAFE is a EU- programme of technical analysis and policy development that underpinned the development of the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution under the Sixth Environmental Action Programme. The aim of CAFE was to develop a long-term, strategic and integrated policy advice for the European Union to protect against significant negative effects of air pollution on human health and the environment, including particulate matter.