Chapter 2.8 Long-term simulations of photo-oxidants and particulate matter over Europe with emphasis on North Rhine-Westphalia

The EU directive 1999/30 allow for air quality modelling as a tool to plan strategies for air pollution reduction in Europe. A comprehensive air quality model, including ozone, NO2 and atmospheric particle (PM10) is applied to estimate the future development of air quality in Europe. As a base year 2002 is selected, model calculations are performed for 2005 and 2010 for Europe as well as for North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) as a strongly polluted core region in central Europe. The results show an improvement in air quality, in particular in western and central Europe. However, major problems to fulfil the limit values as given in the EU directives might occur with respect to PM10.