About the episode
We visit researcher Roel Vermeulen from Utrecht University and discuss the state of our outdoor air and the research being done into it.
For example, what do the new guidelines for particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide emissions say? Will we achieve that in the Netherlands? And what should be done to further improve air quality?
We discuss in detail the current health risks, what has not yet been sufficiently studied and how they are trying to change that with a long-term measurement project.
In that project, self-built cars are used to measure very locally and work towards a European air quality map. This not only shows the amount of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, but also the lesser-known ultra-fine particulate matter particles.
Coincidentally, there is also a brand new measuring vehicle ready for us to take a look at. The maker of the car, Kees Meliefste, also joins in.
In the next episode of the Science Department, we discuss the status of the quality of our indoor air with researchers Lidwien Smit and Esmée Janssen. They tell us more about the research they do at schools, among other things.
