Welcome to the Pollution Monitoring Project
This page is your gateway to understanding and engaging with our ongoing effort to monitor air pollution in the Port of Rotterdam—specifically focusing on ultrafine particles (UFPs) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Here, you’ll find a comprehensive overview of our project’s current status, our citizen science approach, and how you can get involved.
Explore photos and videos from our field activities, learn what ultrafine particles are and how they a!ect health and the environment, and dive into our training materials and measurement results. We also provide access to raw data collected during our monitoring campaigns—GPS tracks, particle counts, vessel activity, wind direction, and temperature—so that anyone can explore or analyze our findings.
Interested in joining the movement? Use our registration form to become part of our citizen science team. For additional clarity, check out our FAQ section to get answers to common questions.
Whether you’re a concerned resident, researcher, policymaker, or port professional, this page is designed to help you understand the problem, see the data, and be part of the solution.
Table of Contents
Pollution Monitoring Research Programme
Overview
This project is a community-led air pollution monitoring initiative that targets ultrafine particles (UFPs) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the greater
Port of Rotterdam area. Our aim is to empower residents to collect scientifically robust data that not only complements but goes beyond offcial monitoring networks by incorporating sensitive locations such as hospitals, schools, and retirement homes.
The project integrates real-time vessel proximity data using MarineTra”c’s API to enhance the interpretation of port-related pollution. This initiative will contribute to transforming the Port of Rotterdam into a living lab for participatory environmental science and innovation.
The ambition to perform high-quality UFP observations is particularly valuable, as this measurement is not yet performed on a regular basis in operational air pollution networks. Furthermore, historic data of the existing Palmes tubes (luchmeetnet.nl) will be added as a long-term background data set to our NO2 data, making data analysis more valuable.
Project Goals and Objectives
1. Recruit and train 15 citizen scientists to conduct weekly UFP and biweekly NO2 sampling across 12 strategically chosen sites.
2. Capture pollution data in locations underserved by traditional networks, particularly near health-sensitive facilities.
3. Cross-validate citizen-collected data with existing government-run UFP and NO2 monitoring stations (LML / RIVM).
4. Track and associate pollution spikes with nearby vessel tra”c using geofencing and MarineTra”c’s API.
5. Inform local health and environmental policies through publishing our open source data and visualizations.
6. Communicate monitoring results to the public through compelling visualizations and community workshops.
7. Establish the Port of Rotterdam as a living lab that supports experimentation and collaboration among communities, academic partners, and public authorities.
Study Area and Monitoring Sites
The project includes 12 core monitoring locations across the Port of Rotterdam area, strategically selected to cover both sides of the Nieuwe Maas river and include a mix of official monitoring stations and sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and retirement homes.
Monitoring Site List:
North of Nieuwe Maas –
1. Hoek van Holland (LML station)
2. Maassluis-Kwartellaan (LML station)
3. Vlaardingen Maternity Hospital
4. Schiedam-A. Arienstraat (LML station)
6. Rotterdam-Schiedamsevest (LML station)
7. Rotterdam-BlueCity
South of Nieuwe Maas –
8. Rotterdam-Cruise Terminal
9. Pernis Elementary School
10. Rotterdam-Hoogvliet (LML station)
11. Rozenburg Retirement Home
12. Maasvlakte (LML station)
Site Selection Strategy
Source-Oriented Sites
These are locations chosen for their close proximity to known pollution sources, such as shipping lanes, container terminals, fuel storage facilities, and industrial plants within the port. Monitoring here aims to quantify ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions at or near their point of origin, providing data on peak concentrations and supporting accountability and policy interventions targeting emission sources.
Health-Driven Sites
These are locations selected based on where people live, work, learn, and spend leisure time, particularly in neighborhoods with vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, or those with respiratory conditions. The goal is to assess real-world human exposure to UFP pollution and highlight potential public health impacts, especially in communities that may already bear disproportionate environmental burdens.
Photo Gallery
A visual showcase of our pollution monitoring activities, equipment, and community engagement efforts.
Citizen Science
Overview
Our citizen science program engages community members from diverse neighborhoods surrounding the Port of Rotterdam in the collection and analysis of pollution data. Through this collaborative approach, we’re able to gather more comprehensive data across a wider geographic area, while also raising awareness about local air quality issues.
Participants receive training on proper monitoring techniques, equipment use, and data collection protocols. The data they collect is integrated into our broader pollution mapping initiative, providing valuable insights into spatial and temporal patterns of air pollution in our community.
Recruitment and Community Engagement
We aim to recruit 15 citizen scientists from diverse neighborhoods surrounding the Port of Rotterdam area. These volunteers will be provided with training workshops covering:
• Using P-Trak and NO2 tubes
• Logging environmental metadata
• Using vessel tracking tools
• Data collection protocols
The project will also work with schools and health centers to co-create educational materials about air pollution in the port area.
Storytelling and Engagement
To effectively communicate our findings to the public and policymakers, we will create:
• Mini-documentary series (3–5 minutes each) capturing citizen scientist stories, ship traffic footage, pollution visuals, and policy implications
• Animated explainer videos to show how pollution moves, accumulates, and is linked to vessel activity
• Monthly-updated dashboard showing when and where standards are exceeded with clear policy implications
• Policy briefs combining infographics with citizen quotes and localized data
Volunteer Registration Form
Our citizen science program engages community members in the collection and analysis of pollution data. Through this collaborative approach, we’re able to gather more comprehensive data across a wider geographic area, while also raising awareness about local air quality issues.
Participants receive training on proper monitoring techniques, equipment use, and data collection protocols. The data they collect is integrated into our broader pollution mapping initiative, providing valuable insights into spatial and temporal patterns of air pollution in our community.
Citizen Science FAQs
What is citizen science?
Citizen science refers to scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by amateur or non-professional scientists. In our pollution monitoring project, citizen science involves community members volunteering to collect air quality data using specialized equipment, following scientific protocols. This approach allows us to gather more comprehensive data across a wider geographic area while also engaging the community in important environmental monitoring efforts.
Do I need prior experience to become a citizen scientist?
No prior experience is necessary! We provide comprehensive training on all aspects of pollution monitoring, including equipment use, data collection protocols, and basic data interpretation. Our training sessions are designed to be accessible to anyone with an interest in environmental quality, regardless of their scientific background. We also provide ongoing support and mentoring throughout your participation in the project.
How much time commitment is required?
The time commitment is flexible and can be adjusted to fit your schedule. Our monitoring sessions typically take 1-2 hours per visit, with each volunteer visiting 2-3 sites per week. Some volunteers choose to participate in specific campaigns or events, while others commit to regular monitoring at specific locations. We work with each volunteer to find a level of involvement that works for them.
What equipment will I be using?
For ultrafine particle monitoring, you’ll use a P-Trak portable partice counter. For NO, monitoring, you’ll work with Palmes-type diffusion tubes. You’ll also use your smartphone for GPS tracking (via the MyTrack app), wind and weather information (via Windy.com or Windfinder), and vessel tracking (via MarineTraffic app). All specialized equipment is provided by our project, along with comprehensive training on proper use and maintenance.
Additional Information
Ultrafine Particles Pollution Monitoring
Learn about the details of our ultrafine particles (UFP) pollution monitoring work.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) Pollution Monitoring
Learn about the details of our nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) pollution monitoring work.
