Brussels measurement campaign methodology

The document describes the use of Palmes-type NO2 diffusion tubes to monitor air quality across several Brussels locations from 19 February to 20 March 2017. It details the placement of tubes according to Directive 2008/50/EC, the laboratory analysis by Gradko International Limited, and a validation process at the Avenue de la Couronne station which revealed a 24% under-estimation of concentrations by the diffusion tubes. ClientEarth notes it adopted a conservative approach by using the lowest recorded concentrations for locations with multiple samples and publishing raw data without applying the bias correction factor.

• The measurement campaign utilized Palmes-type nitrogen dioxide (NO2) diffusion tubes, which the European Environment Agency categorizes as an "indicative" monitoring technique with a margin of uncertainty of ± 25%.
• Monitoring took place over four weeks between 19 February and 20 March 2017, with sampling points located at Rue Belliard, Rue de la Loi, Arts-Loi, Avenue des Arts, the Esplanade of the European Parliament, and Avenue de la Couronne.
• Sampling points were sited according to Directive 2008/50/EC, specifically placed 2.5 m above ground, within 10 m of the kerbside, and at least 25 m from the edge of major junctions.
• Validation at the Avenue de la Couronne official monitoring station showed that the diffusion tubes under-estimated actual NO2 concentrations by 24%, as the tubes recorded between 41.6 and 43.1 ±g/m3 while the official station recorded 52.5 ±g/m3.

APA

ClientEarth (2017). Brussels measurement campaign methodology. https://www.clientearth.org/media/s1am2jco/methodology-brief-for-brussels-air-quality-monitoring-2017-ce-en.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. Brussels measurement campaign methodology. 2017. https://www.clientearth.org/media/s1am2jco/methodology-brief-for-brussels-air-quality-monitoring-2017-ce-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=ClientEarth |title=Brussels measurement campaign methodology |date=June 2017 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/s1am2jco/methodology-brief-for-brussels-air-quality-monitoring-2017-ce-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{clientearth2017brussels, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Brussels measurement campaign methodology}}, institution = {ClientEarth}, year = {2017}, month = jun, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/s1am2jco/methodology-brief-for-brussels-air-quality-monitoring-2017-ce-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }