ANNEX IIIGUIDELINES FOR SELECTING AIR POLLUTANTS FOR CONSIDERATION

1.

Possibility, severity and frequency of effects; with regard to human health and the environment as a whole, the irreversible effects must be of special concern.

2.

Ubiquity and high concentration of the pollutant in the atmosphere.

3.

Environmental transformations or metabolic alterations, as these alterations may lead to the production of chemicals with greater toxicity.

4.

Persistence in the environment, particularly if the pollutant is not biodegradable and can accumulate in humans, the environment or food chains.

5.

Impact of the pollutant:

  • size of exposed population, living resources or ecosystems,

  • existence of particularly sensitive targets in the zone concerned.

6.

Risk-assessment methods may also be used.

The pertinent danger criteria established under Directive 67/548/EEC11 and its successive adaptations must be taken into account in the selection of the pollutants.