Texel is known for its salty sea breeze and vast landscape. That means one thing: wonderful fresh air! In fact, the air quality here is better than on the mainland.

How clean is the air on Texel?

The NPO programme Pointer delved into the figures and listed the facts. The Wadden Islands are known for their clean air, but Texel is just ahead of the Frisian islands. Schiermonnikoog, Terschelling, Vlieland and Ameland score slightly better. Texel is in sixth place of the cleanest municipalities in the Netherlands, just behind Het Hogeland in Groningen. So why not quite at the top? That probably has to do with the island's higher population density and agriculture. 't Horntje and Den Burg, where there is more traffic, also show slightly less favourable figures.

What do the figures say?

Texel has cleaner air than the mainland, although nitrogen and particulate matter levels are just above the World Health Organisation limit. Especially the dunes and the coast score well, while the ‘old land’ with more agriculture shows slightly higher values. Nevertheless, Texel is among the cleanest areas of North Holland. Nitrogen dioxide levels are also lower than the national average. In and around Den Burg the values are slightly higher, but the further north you go, the fresher the air!

Fresh air and a healthy environment

Why is clean air so important? Research shows that Dutch people live on average ten months shorter due to air pollution. Diseases such as asthma, lung cancer and strokes are linked to it. Fortunately, Texel has a healthier air quality than most other places in the Netherlands. That Texel has long been known for its clean air is evident from an article from 1907 about the construction of the prestigious Badhotel in De Koog (now Hotel Juliana Texel). Initiator Flens described it this way: ‘’Tis all unadulterated pure air here, not polluted by factory smoke or fumes, city air or fish smells. It's a lavender quiet and free in lovely nature here.’

Come experience it for yourself!

What does this mean for you? On Texel, you can really breathe freely. Take a long beach walk or cycle through the dunes and experience how healthy the air is here. No crowds, no pollution, just fresh sea breeze. Want to experience it for yourself? Book your stay on Texel and experience the clean air and tranquillity of the island. Check out our accommodations and plan your trip via our website! Want to know more about the research? Then watch the Pointer broadcast.

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