Are the European PM10 thresholds respected in Belgium?

Because it is impossible to place a measuring station everywhere in Belgium, interpolation maps are used to spatially represent concentration across Belgiu. These maps (with a 4 by 4 km² resolution) are made with the RIO-Corine interpolation technique. This technique uses satellite land use data to estimate the PM10 pollution in areas where no measurements occur.

Annual mean PM10 concentrations

The European annual limit value (40 g/m³) was not exceeded in 2015 (see map). In previous years, slight, local exceedances were sometimes observed near important emission sources. In 2003, the annual limit was surpassed in several locations because of the extreme meteorological conditions in that year (dry, low mean wind speeds and above average continental air currents). The annual mean PM10 concentration can be considered a measure for long term exposure, To get an historical overview of the annual mean PM10 concentrations, click here.

Daily mean PM10 concentrations

The European PM10 daily limit value ( a maximum of 35 days with a daily mean concentration exceeding 50 µg/m³) was not exceeded in 2015 in Belgium. To get an historical overview of the annual mean PM10 concentrations, click here.