Consultation on UK
application to the European Commission for an extension to meet air
quality limits for Particulate Matter (PM10 )
DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (Information
Bulletin ref 13/09) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 27
January 2009
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.
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
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