The health gains from efforts to reduce air pollution are likely to exceed earlier expectations, according to Dutch public health institute RIVM. The institute’s latest analysis indicates that reducing emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide will deliver greater benefits by 2030 than it predicted two years ago.

RIVM says the Netherlands is on track to achieve its goal of a 50 percent improvement in public health relative to 2016, provided the planned policies are carried out. The health benefits are expected to include a substantial decline in hospitalizations, lower rates of chronic lung diseases such as asthma and COPD, and fewer people dying prematurely.

The planned measures are projected to increase average life expectancy in the Netherlands by more than four months by 2030 relative to 2016 levels. That represents a larger benefit than previously anticipated, as the estimate in the assessment published two years ago was approximately three months.

The RIVM assesses the health effects of the Clean Air Agreement every two years. Introduced in 2020, the agreement brings together provincial and municipal authorities in an effort to improve air quality across the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is not only working towards the goals of the Clean Air Agreement but must also meet tougher European air quality limits. Existing policies are insufficient to achieve those standards nationwide. According to the assessment, further action will be required in areas around Amsterdam and Schiphol, the Rijnmond and IJmond industrial regions, and near a number of major highways.