Air pollution in the Netherlands exceeds WHO limits in many areas
Air quality in the Netherlands is severely lacking in many regions, with the west side of Rotterdam, including Schiedam and Vlaardingen, ranking as the most polluted area, according to an investigation by the journalism platform Pointer. In several locations, concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limits by more than twofold.
Pointer analyzed levels of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter in Dutch neighborhoods and compared them to WHO guidelines. These pollutants are the most common and cause significant health issues.
According to the findings, Schiedam has the worst air quality, with pollution levels 2.15 times higher than the WHO-recommended limits. Residents face pollution from heavy maritime traffic, chemical industry emissions, a nearby airport, multiple highways, and wood-burning stoves in densely populated areas.
Rijswijk and Ridderkerk follow as the second and third most polluted municipalities, with pollution levels 2.08 and 2.04 times above WHO standards, respectively.
Large cities are also among the worst performers. Delft ranks fourth, Utrecht fifth, and Rotterdam eighth in terms of air pollution levels.
Amsterdam and The Hague also show high levels of pollution. In Amsterdam, air quality is worst in the city center, while The Hague struggles with pollution in surrounding municipalities as well. The industrial region around Tata Steel in IJmuiden and Velsen also records high levels of air pollution.
Poor air quality has significant health consequences for Dutch residents. According to the national public health agency (GGD), air pollution shortens life expectancy by an average of ten months and leads to high healthcare costs.
As the Dutch population ages, the impact of air pollution becomes more severe. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, with increased risks of asthma and even lung cancer. “One in six strokes would not have occurred if we had clean air,” said Marieke Dijkema of the GGD.
The Netherlands also faces potential legal action from the European Court of Human Rights if air quality does not improve quickly. The court has previously ruled that access to clean air is a fundamental human right. The Dutch government acknowledges the urgency of the issue and has committed to addressing the problem, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure.
The city of Rotterdam has implemented stricter environmental zones, imposed regulations on businesses, and provided shore power connections for docked ships to reduce emissions from diesel generators. However, large cruise ships visiting the city are not yet required to shut down their engines while docked, drawing criticism from environmental advocates. The Rotterdam city council reportedly plans to negotiate with the national government to meet stricter pollution standards.
