The RIVM expects that air quality around New Years Eve will be poor to very poor for a short time, especially in places where fireworks are set off. Fireworks cause, partly due to the expected moderate wind, locally high concentrations of fine particulate matter. These high concentrations can cause health complaints.

Health complaints and advice

A high concentration of fine particulate matter in the air due to fireworks can, together with other pollutants in the air, lead to a decrease in lung function. Especially people with lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema and people with cardiovascular diseases may be affected.

They can prevent or reduce complaints by staying indoors and avoiding strenuous activities during the first hours around New Years Eve. In some cases, medication can be adjusted in consultation with a doctor.

Check the air quality

On Luchtmeetnet.nl (external link) the air quality in the Netherlands can be seen. Everyone can check the current air quality at their location 24 hours a day. The site collects measurement data from various government agencies. The website is an initiative of the RIVM, the GGD Municipal Health Service (Municipal Health Service) Amsterdam, DCMR Environmental Service Rijnmond (Environmental Service Rijnmond)  Environmental Service Rijnmond, province of Limburg, the Environmental Service Central and West Brabant and the Environmental Service Region Arnhem.

Measuring Together

Also this year, people throughout the Netherlands measure the air quality in their living environment themselves during New Years Eve. The results will be published after New Years Eve via the Samen Meten Dataportaal (external link). The current measurements of fine particulate matter can be seen on Samen Meten (external link).

The measurement points provide a good complementary picture of the air quality in the Netherlands due to their number and distribution.

More information