Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Consultation on UK application to the European Commission for an extension to meet air quality limits for Particulate Matter (PM10 )
Defra is seeking views on the UK application to the European Commission for an extension to meet air quality targets for Particulate Matter (PM10).
The application for an extension will be submitted to the European Commission as soon as possible after this consultation has closed.
PM10 is made up of very small particles of soot and dust in the air, less than 10 micrometers in diameter (human hair ranges from 17-180 micrometers in diameter). The sources of these small particles are wide ranging and include transport, industrial plants, construction, and extremely small particles carried on the wind from neighbouring countries. There is also a small amount from natural sources, such as dust blown from Africa or sea salt.
Most other Member States have also reported some breaches of the EU PM10 limits since they came into force in 2005, and will also need to apply to the European Commission for the additional time available under the new ambient air quality directive. Twenty four out of 27 reported breaches of the limit values in 2007.
Levels of PM10 have been falling across the UK. However, in eight areas breaches of the PM10 limit values have been reported to the European Commission since they came into force in 2005 and so additional time to meet the required limits is needed. These areas are:
* Greater London urban area
* West Midlands urban area
* West Yorkshire urban area
* Glasgow urban area
* Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton
* Swansea urban area
* Eastern England zone
* Yorkshire and Humberside zone
The extension would enable current and planned measures to take effect to reduce PM10 levels to within the EU limits by the extended deadline of 2011. These measures include:
* Effects of implementing EU directives on vehicle emission standards and other air quality directives;
* Improvements through the London Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zone and bus and taxi emission strategies;
* The introduction of low and zero sulphur fuels.
In addition to these measures, local authorities in each area would have implemented action plans to control particulate pollution. These would include transport measures and local planning and development measures.
The consultation can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/air-quality/index.htm. and will close on 10 March 2009.
Notes to editors
1. In the UK, for PM10, pollutant levels have gradually been improving, but breaches have been reported since 2005 in a small number of urban 'hotspots' around the UK. Using the methodology set out in the new Directive (2008/50/EC), the UK had exceedences of the PM10 limit values in 2005, 2006 and 2007
2. Under the Directive, the UK is divided into zones and agglomerations (areas with populations of more than 250,000) and annual compliance reports are submitted on this basis.
3. The EU Air Quality Directive stipulates levels of PM10 should not exceed a daily level of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre more than 35 times a year or an annual average of 40 microgrammes per cubic metre.
4. This consultation has been prepared by Defra in consultation with the Welsh Assembly Government. The documentation also covers Scotland, but the Scottish Government is carrying out an identical consultation.
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