Grijze Cellen: Fijnstof

The Dutch and Belgian air is among the dirtiest in Europe. Inhalation of particulate matter is harmful to health. It increases the risk of lung cancer, strokes and diabetes and it reduces life expectancy by an average of nine months.

Are governments doing enough to protect citizens against health risks? And will the Netherlands and Belgium achieve the European standard for cleaner air in 2015? Eos editor Reinout Verbeke will discuss this with Tim Nawrot (Hasselt University and KUL) and Rob Beelen (ESCAPE and Utrecht University).

Tim Nawrot is senior lecturer in Environmental Epidemiology at the University of Hasselt and KU Leuven. Nawrot has a good view of the Belgian situation and his scientific background drives him to certain conclusions. Recently, De Morgen appealed to his knowledge on the subject. (Read the article at demorgen.be)

Rob Beelen is like environmental epidemiologist at the University of Utrecht and coordinates the ESCAPE project ( European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects). He can therefore provide more insight into the situation in the Netherlands and has the political background. He is also known as a specialist in the field and may be able to provide the answer to how to proceed.