Noticias

The influence of nitrogen on health

Publicado en
13 de diciembre de 2012

The Netherlands suffers from an excess of reactive nitrogen in the environment. This affects the environment and public health. The excess of reactive nitrogen is caused by two different activities: agriculture and livestock production, and the combustion of fossil fuels. Dutch policy has reduced the excess, but it appears as though the process is stagnating. The Health Council of the Netherlands has advised the State Secretary of Infrastructure and the Environment and the State Secretary of Economic Affairs to intensify their nitrogen reducing policies, in order to improve environmental quality and public health.

The advice report was drawn up by the Commission Signaling health and environment of the Health Council. Prof. Dr. Rik Leemans of the Environmental Systems Analysis group of Wageningen University was part of this Commission.