WEBVTT

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SILENCE

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TRANQUIL MUSIC

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THE TRANQUIL MUSIC
FADES AWAY

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VOICE-OVER: Poor air quality is
a threat to our health and well-being.

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The main sources of air pollution are
traffic, industry and livestock farming.

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RIVM monitors air quality
in the Netherlands

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and advises
the government authorities.

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This is
a complex process.

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The strength of RIVM is
that it covers the entire chain.

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KEES VAN LUIJK: RIVM is the national
institute for environmental monitoring.

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We do
air quality measurements

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but we also have a model with traffic
and industry, all the emission sources,

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and the model calculates
the air quality.

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So we can compare
the measurements with calculations

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and together
we can give advice to the government

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about air quality
and improving air quality.

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VOICE-OVER: RIVM researches the impact
that air pollution has on people,

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because that impact
is significant.

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Long-term exposure
to fine particulates in the atmosphere

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can aggravate various cardiovascular
and respiratory conditions.

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Efforts to improve
air quality

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are set out in the National Air
Quality Cooperation Programme, or NSL.

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RIVM monitors air quality, using
the national Air Quality Monitoring Network.

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Sixty permanent
monitoring stations

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register the concentrations of
certain substances in the atmosphere.

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RIVM also uses this data
as input for models.

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One notable monitoring station is the site
of the 213 metre tall Cabauw mast,

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which was erected by the Royal
Netherlands Meteorological Institute.

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Instruments are mounted
at various heights to monitor variables

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such as particulates,
nitrogen oxides and wind speed.

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RIVM also has
mobile monitoring equipment,

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seen here close to the industrial centre
of Pernis, near Rotterdam.

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Lasers are used
to scan for sulphur dioxide emissions

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in and around
the plumes of smoke.

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The equipment systematically zooms in on
predetermined segments of the atmosphere.

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UPBEAT MUSIC

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MARGREET VAN ZANTEN:
Well, many people know

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that air pollution
can be harmful for people

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but air pollution
can be harmful for nature as well,

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because in the air
we have all kinds of compounds

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that have nitrogen in them

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and if this nitrogen is deposited on
the ground, it acts as a kind of fertiliser.

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And this fertilisation of nature
leads to a depleted ecosystem.

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THE UPBEAT MUSIC
CONTINUES

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VOICE-OVER: International measures have
been agreed to limit damage to ecosystems.

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The National Acidification
Trend Monitoring Network

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helps to monitor
the long-term effects of those measures.

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Groundwater sampling is a reliable method
that is used for this purpose.

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THE UPBEAT MUSIC
CONTINUES

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The Ammonia in Nature Areas
monitoring network

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records ammonia concentrations
in the air.

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Small glass tubes
fitted with a filter are sent to RIVM.

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With samples taken at 236 sites nationwide,
a reliable impression is obtained

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of ammonia concentrations
in nature areas throughout the country.

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European policy on nitrogen compounds
has been implemented in the Netherlands

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in the programmatic action plan
for nitrogen.

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The main role of RIVM in
this programmatic approach is to monitor

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whether nitrogen deposition
in those nature areas is decreasing.

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VOICE-OVER: Air pollution is
not restricted by national boundaries.

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International policy
is therefore essential.

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VAN LUIJK:
Air quality is an international issue.

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Air pollution
is crossing borders.

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We have a lot of contact
with our colleagues in other countries,

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so that we meet the same requirements
for measurements and calculations

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and we have the same advice
for governments

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and international
air quality policy.

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VOICE-OVER: The quality of
the Netherlands' air, soil and water

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is steadily improving.

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Through its independent research
and its advisory role,

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RIVM is making a significant contribution
to a better, cleaner environment.

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THE UPBEAT MUSIC
FADES AWAY