Coarse dust deposition IJmond dataset 2020-2024

Dataset (written in Dutch) belonging with the RIVM research report 2025-0054 (https://www.rivm.nl/publicaties/depositie-onderzoek-ijmond-najaar-2024-monstername-en-analyse-van-pak-en-metalen-in)

RIVM has been measuring the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and metals in coarse dust deposited on the ground in IJmond since 2020. A major source of this dust is Tata Steel. The dust causes a public nuisance in a number of villages in the vicinity of the steel plant. PAH and lead in the dust are undesirable with a view to the health of young children. RIVM conducted measurements for the fourth time in the autumn of 2024 and compared the results.

The latest measurements again confirmed that more PAH and metals were deposited in IJmond than in neighbouring areas without any industry. Wijk aan Zee was particularly affected. The amount of PAH and aluminium, lead and zinc in the dust in most villages was somewhat lower than in 2020. The amount of iron has dropped noticeably since 2020. 

The cause of the decreases, and whether they are structural, is unclear. The reason for this is that various factors affect the amount of dust deposited in the area, with the amount of dust emitted by Tata Steel being only one of them. Wind strength and direction also affect the amount of dust deposited. Because the weather (wind and precipitation) differed strongly in the years studied, the exact effect of those factors is unclear. 

Based on the measurements conducted in 2024, RIVM cannot say whether the measures taken by Tata Steel, such as the windscreen installed right before the start of this measuring round around part of the industrial estate, have had any effect. The purpose of the measures is largely to prevent coarse dust from the storage site and the plant from spreading over the area. 

The study shows that it is useful to continue monitoring to keep an eye on the situation in IJmond in the coming years. RIVM want to use these measurements to gain a better understanding of the factors affecting the deposited amount of coarse dust. 

Files:

tsn_deposition-research.xlsx  -  Dataset in .xlsx format

tsn_deposition-research.csv  -  Dataset in .csv format

The .xlsx file and .csv files contain the same information but in different formats.