Brussels air quality continues to lag behind European standards

Several places in Brussels are lagging behind European standards for air quality, according to the first results from the 'ExpAIR' air quality measurement network.

The primary measurement network, CurieuzenAir, had already drawn attention to poor air quality in the Belgian capital.

Between 25 September and 23 October 2021, 3,000 Brussels residents installed a measuring point in their homes to collect precise data and track potential improvements following air quality measures.

Although the data did show an improvement, the results also indicated a wide disparity between the communes.

To obtain a more accurate picture, BRAL and Brussels Environment installed 24 nitrogen dioxide measurement points for a one-year analysis.

These have been set up in places with a reputation for poor air quality, such as Sainctelette, Porte de Flandre, Avenue Fonsny and Barrière de Saint-Gilles.

The first interim results from the ExpAIR study - from June to September this year - show that European standards have been exceeded in many places, including at Porte de Flandre where a concentration of 58 μg/m³ NO2 was measured, and on Avenue de la Toison d'Or where concentrations were as high as to 72.9 58 μg/m³ NO2.