Definition: the exposure to particulate matter (PM_2,5) measures the concentration of particles with a diameter of less than 2.5µm in Belgian cities, expressed in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). Those particles are mainly emitted during combustion processes (motors, boilers, etc.) and in certain industrial and agricultural activities. Due to the higher concentration of this type of activities in urban areas, the concentrations are measured there in priority. In order to calculate this indicator, the measured concentrations are adjusted based on the population. The data are compiled by the Interregional Cell for the Environment and are available on the Eurostat website.

Goal: the exposure to particulate matter must not exceed a maximum level of 10µg/m³ (annual average concentration).

The Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs adopted by the UN in 2015 include target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management”.

The Federal Long-Term Strategic Vision for Sustainable Development contains objective 35: “Emissions of pollutants, such as (...) particulate matter, (...) will be significantly reduced and air (indoor and outdoor), water and soil pollution will no longer have a significant - direct or indirect - impact, neither on health nor on the environment” (Belgian Official Gazette, 08/10/2013). In addition, in its Air quality guidelines - global update 2005, the World Health Organization proposes a maximum level of 10µg/m³ for the annual average concentrations of PM_2.5. This target may be revised in the coming months, following the publication by the WHO in September 2021 of new guidelines (WHO, 2021).

International comparison: between 2000 and 2019, the average concentrations observed in Belgium reach similar levels as in the EU27. When Member States are divided into three groups, Belgium is part of the group with average performances in 2019 and performs better than the European average. In that year, Estonia ranked first with 4.8 µg/m³ and Bulgaria last with 19.6 µg/m³.

UN indicator: the selected indicator corresponds to 11.6.2 - Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) in cities (population weighted).

Sources

• General

  • SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals: United Nations (2015), Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015, document A/RES/70/1.

  • Indicators: United Nations (2017), Work of the Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 6 July 2017, document A/RES/71/313.

  • UN Sustainable Development: https://sdgs.un.org/ (consulted on 18/01/2023).

  • UN Sustainable Development Goal indicators website: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/ (consulted on 18/01/2023).

• Specific

  • World Health Organization (2006), Air quality guidelines. Global update 2005. Particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide (global update 2005), http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/air-quality/publications/pre2009/air-quality-guidelines.-global-update-2005.-particulate-matter,-ozone,-nitrogen-dioxide-and-sulfur-dioxide (consulted on 24/09/2020).

  • WHO (2021), WHO global air quality guidelines, Particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228 (consulted on 08/11/2021).

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