Measurement campaign in Rijnmond area to pinpoint emissions by shipping

Shipping is the main source of ultrafine particulate matter

'We know from our research that shipping is responsible for more than 50 per cent of ultrafine particle emissions in the Rijnmond region', says Johan Esveld, an air quality researcher at TNO's Particle Expertise Centre (PEC). 'There are serious concerns about the health impact of this type of particulate matter, because the particles are so small that they not only can reach your lungs but also directly enter your bloodstream.'

Shipping is already subject to particulate emission standards, based on the mass of all the particles present in a cubic metre of air. However, this method of assessing air quality and setting the relevant standards doesn’t take into account the ultrafine particles . These particles are a hundred times smaller but are also likely to cause significant health damage.

Measuring air quality is complex

Measuring emissions from shipping and determining the exact impact on health and the contribution of each source is not at all easy, nor is implementing targeted measures to make the ambient air healthy. Ships emit their emissions out at sea or in port, and these particles spread through the air. The further they travel away from the source, the harder it becomes to determine exactly where they originated.

'The particles also change in chemical composition along the way', Esveld adds. 'What you measure at 200 metres from the source can be completely different to what is still in the air 300 metres away. So how do you then identify the source?’​ ​

A look in the trailer

To meet these challenges, we started a comprehensive measurement campaign in the Rijnmond Region. Measuring equipment at four strategic locations in and around the port of Rotterdam is used to monitor emissions from ships and how those emissions disperse.

‘We’re specifically trying to measure what comes from vessels moored alongside the quay as opposed to vessels that are underway', says Esveld. ‘We do that by selecting locations where we can distinguish between background pollution and separate emissions by shipping.’

Real-time measurement of ultrafine particulate matter

With the measurement campaign, Esveld and his colleagues are aiming to link specific emissions to health risks. 'We use a measurement trailer equipped with various types of measuring and sampling equipment, from particle monitors to gas analysers', says Esveld. 'With it, we take real-time measurements of the amount of ultrafine particles in the air, and we capture the particulates with filters at the same time. The filtered material goes to our lab, where we determine the chemical composition of the particulates that we’ve captured. That enables us to estimates its reactivity more effectively, and thus also the damage that it can cause to people’s health. Inhaling sea salt, for example, has a different effect to inhaling metal-containing particles produced by industry. It's only by finding out all this that you can know whether tackling particulate matter at a particular source will actually have an effect.'

Five steps towards healthy air

What makes this campaign unique is the way it distinguishes between the different sources of pollution. By taking measurements at multiple locations and comparing the results, we can determine precisely what component of pollution comes from ships, and what the influence is of other sources, such as industry. If we know the chemical composition, we can also link it to health studies that we’re carrying out in this area. Mapping only air quality, determining the impact on health, and identifying the source are the first three steps in this successful approach to healthy air outdoors. Only then can you take effective measures and evaluate their impact.​ ​

Health benefit at least 50 per cent

The ultimate aim of the measurement campaign is to permanently improve air quality in the Netherlands, as set out in the Clean Air Agreement. TNO offers government, industry, and other stakeholders tools for putting targeted measures in place for healthy air. That includes, for example, stricter emission regulations for shipping or the use of cleaner fuels. By tackling the sources of air pollution, the Netherlands aims to achieve a health benefit of at least 50 per cent by 2030 compared to 2016. Esveld: 'Although measuring the exact contribution of our measurement campaign is difficult, there’s no doubt that it’s an important step in the right direction.'

To find out more about air quality and how our measurement methods can contribute to it.