Are we moving in the right direction?
In 2003, about half of the inhabitants of Oslo (population 530 000) were exposed to concentrations of particulate matter exceeding the national target for 2010. Data analysis and calculations were carried out by the Norwegian Institute for Air Research. Pollution levels fluctuate from year to year due to climatic conditions, however, the emissions from the two most important sources, road traffic (resuspension of road dust) and wood burning stoves, have been reduced.
The national air quality targets apply to the entire country. Levels of local air pollution causing significant health problems are most likely to occur in larger towns. Therefore, the indicators have only been calculated for Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen.