PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Next to traffic, various industrial activities are regarded as important sources for air pollution by VOCs. Especially in the vicinity of large-scale industrial activities VOC concentrations may directly affect human health. At European and national levels, measures are introduced to reduce VOC emissions. In order to evaluate the effect of these emission reduction measures, the authorities may use Emission Inventories. These Inventories, however, do not exist in every Member State, and besides there are discrepancies between the actual methodology and the actual ambient air measurements. Therefore TNO is developing a method for a more adequate assessment by VOC ground level air measurement improving the evaluation of the effectiveness of the VOC reduction measures. In this project, TNO in cooperation with the Ministry of VROM, Shell Research and the Environmental Protection Agency Rijnmond DCMR, is developing a standardised monitoring strategy for VOC measurements at industrial areas. First a methodology is being established, taking into account meteorological and atmospheric effects, as well as diffuse emissions from industrial sources. Subsequently the results of a monitoring campaign at three pilot locations in the Rijnmond area are being modelled to estimate the VOC emissions. The outcome is compared with official data of the national emission registration. The environmental benefit of this monitoring instrument is the possibility to check and evaluate the effects of VOC policy measures with regard to industrial sources.