Holland receives 'poor marks' for air quality

Air quality in Holland is worse than previously expected and falls below the standards of other European countries, it has been suggested.

This is the claim of environmental group Stichting Natuur en Mileu, which has referred to a survey undertaken on behalf of by the European Commission.

According to the research, Holland has higher levels of nitrogen oxide and ammonia than any other region on the continent.

The country also sustains the most damage to public health, nature and agriculture as a result of poor air quality, it was claimed by the organisation.

Additionally, "just over one euro per citizen" will be spent in the future on combating problems with air pollution, though much more could be done to tackle this problem, the group stated.

It continued: "The advantages of investments are 80 times higher than the costs."

Across the Atlantic, environmental and air quality issues have been thrust to the fore by US president elect Barack Obama this week, as he announced that he intends to introduce emissions charges for heavily-polluting firms.