Some Aspects Of the use of Reference Measurements and Reference Materials in “Euregios”

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the aspects of the use of reference measurements and reference materials in “Euregios”. A “Euregio” is an area in one country, which is bordered by several other countries. These areas are recognized as such, with their special problems, by the European Economic Community. There are about 25 of these trans-frontier regions in Europe. One of these areas is the province of Limburg, one of the eleven provinces of The Netherlands. The management of the air quality has been delegated by the air pollution act to the province of Limburg. This government is responsible for all aspects of the management of the air quality. This means handling the permits requested by the air pollution act, stack monitoring, and ambient quality surveillance. The ambient measurements are made by the National Institute of Public Health. In view of the necessity for land use planning, an agreement on the measurement system for air pollution is necessary. The planning of industrial areas with their social and economic consequences in particular is very important. Air pollution does not stop at the border. A form of co-operation in the field of air pollution monitoring systems and exchange of data is urgently required. To find a solution to this problem in co-operation with the National Institute of Public Health a few experiments have been organized with the purpose of comparing the monitoring systems as used in Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands. An experiment for stack monitoring systems will also be started. Another possibility is the use of reference materials and reference methods.