Abstract

The VROM-Inspectorate is the commissioning body of the development of an instrument for integral assessment of health aspects of permits issued within the framework of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC). It occurred that the instrument developed here is a qualified method for the integral assessment of health aspects of IPPC-permits. Industries causing environmental pollution are, according to the IPPC-guideline, obligated to regulate their emissions. The method is focused on the quality of air, odour, noice and external safety.
The reason for the development of the instrument is the concern that health aspects are not taken into account very well when IPPC-permits are provided. Therefore, the VROM-Inspectorate whishes an instrument that determines if health aspects are well integrated in IPPC-permits. The instrument can be used by the Inspectorate herself or the Community Health Services. The consultant agency Fast Advies has developed and tested the instrument in cooperation with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
The instrument for assessing health aspects of IPPC-permits basically uses the health effect screening method (GES). But, an extra step is added namely a quick semi-quantitative assessment of health aspects. Basically, this first step is a quick estimation of immission concentrations. Then, these results are compared to background concentrations and health-based guideline values. These results are presented in a graphic map, similarly to the GES-method.
On the base of this report, a separate assistance report is made. This guidebook describes all the different steps and explains how to use the instrument in a proper way for making integral assessment of health aspects of IPPC-permits.