The Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010

Regulation 7(1)

SCHEDULE 1 U.K. Sampling points for measurement of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, lead, benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air

PART 1 U.K.

General

1.  Ambient air quality must be assessed at sampling points located in accordance with this Schedule, except at locations set out in paragraph 2. U.K.

2.  Compliance with limit values directed at the protection of human health does not need to be assessed at the following locations— U.K.

(a) any location situated within areas where members of the public do not have access and there is no fixed habitation;

(b) on factory premises or at industrial locations to which all relevant provisions concerning health and safety at work apply;

(c) on the carriageway of roads and on the central reservations of roads except where there is normally pedestrian access to the central reservation.

3.  Insofar as they are relevant, the principles set out in this Schedule also apply to indicative measurement and modelling. U.K.

PART 2 U.K.

Macroscale siting of sampling points U.K.

Sampling points for the protection of human health

1.  Sampling points directed at the protection of human health must be sited to provide data on— U.K.

(a) the areas within zones where the highest concentrations occur to which the population is likely to be directly or indirectly exposed for a period which is significant in relation to the averaging period of any limit value; and

(b) levels in other areas within the zones which are representative of the exposure of the general population.

2.  Sampling points must in general be sited to avoid measuring very small micro-environments in their immediate vicinity. Where feasible, the Secretary of State must locate sampling points so as to be representative of air quality in a street segment of no less than 100m in length at traffic-orientated sites or an area of at least 250mx 250m at industrial sites. U.K.

3.  Sampling points in urban background locations must be located so that their pollution level is influenced by the combined contribution from all sources upwind of the station. The pollution level should not be dominated by a single source unless such a situation is typical for a larger urban area. Those sampling points must, as a general rule, be representative for several square kilometres. U.K.

4.  Where the objective is to assess rural background levels, the sampling point must not be influenced by agglomerations or industrial sites in its vicinity, i.e. closer than five kilometres. U.K.

5.  Where contributions from industrial sources are to be assessed, at least one sampling point must be installed downwind of the source in the nearest residential area. Where the background concentration is not known, an additional sampling point must be situated within the main wind direction. U.K.

6.  Sampling points must also, where possible, be representative of similar locations not in their immediate vicinity. U.K.

7.  Account must be taken of the need to locate sampling points on islands, where that is necessary for the protection of human health. U.K.

Protection of ecosystems and vegetation

8.  Sampling points targeted at the protection of ecosystems or vegetation must be sited more than 20 km away from agglomerations or more than 5 km away from other built-up areas, industrial installations or motorways or major roads with traffic counts of more than 50,000 vehicles per day. The Secretary of State must locate sampling points so as to be representative of air quality in a surrounding area of at least 1000 km². A sampling point may be sited at a lesser distance or to be representative of air quality in a less extended area, taking account of geographical conditions or opportunities to protect particularly vulnerable areas. Account must be taken of the need to assess air quality on islands. U.K.

PART 3 U.K.

Microscale siting of sampling points U.K.

1.  Insofar as is practicable, sampling points must be situated in accordance with the following criteria—

[F1 (a) the flow around the inlet sampling probe must be unrestricted (free in an arc of at least 270° or, for sampling points at the building line, 180°) without any obstructions affecting the airflow in the vicinity of the inlet (that is to say some metres away from buildings, balconies, trees and other obstacles and at least 0.5 m from the nearest building in the case of sampling points representing air quality at the building line);

(b) the inlet sampling point must be between 1.5 m (the breathing zone) and 4 m above the ground unless the station is representative of a large area and higher siting is appropriate. Any derogations must be fully documented;]

(c) the inlet probe must not be positioned in the immediate vicinity of sources in order to avoid the direct intake of emissions unmixed with ambient air;

(d) the sampler's exhaust outlet must be positioned so that recirculation of exhaust air to the sampler inlet is avoided;

(e) in relation to the location of traffic-orientated samplers, sampling points must be at least 25 m from the edge of major junctions and no more than 10 m from the kerbside. [F2 A “major junction” is a junction which interrupts the traffic flow and causes different emissions (due to vehicles stopping and starting) from the rest of the road.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 Pt. 3 para. 1(a)(b) substituted (31.12.2016) by The Air Quality Standards (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1184), regs. 1(1), 3(a)

F2 Words in Sch. 1 Pt. 3 para. 1(e) inserted (31.12.2016) by The Air Quality Standards (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1184), regs. 1(1), 3(b)

2.  The following factors may also be taken into account— U.K.

(a) interfering sources;

(b) security;

(c) access;

(d) availability of electrical power and telephone communications;

(e) visibility of the site in relation to its surroundings;

(f) safety of public and operators;

(g) the desirability of co-locating sampling points for different pollutants;

(h) planning requirements.

[F3 3.   Any deviation from the criteria listed in this Part must be documented in accordance with Part 4.] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3 Sch. 1 para. 3 inserted (31.12.2016) by The Air Quality Standards (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1184), regs. 1(1), 3(c)

[F4 PART 4 U.K. Documentation and review of site selection

Textual Amendments

F4 Sch. 1 Pt. 4 inserted (31.12.2016) by The Air Quality Standards (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1184), regs. 1(1), 4

1.   The Secretary of State must for all zones and agglomerations fully document the site-selection procedures and record information to support the network design and choice of location for all monitoring sites. U.K.

2.   The documentation must include compass-point photographs of the area surrounding monitoring sites and detailed maps. U.K.

3.   Where supplementary methods are used within a zone or agglomeration, the documentation must include details of these methods and information on how the criteria listed in Article 7(3) of Directive 2008/50/EC are met. U.K.

4.   The documentation must be updated as necessary and reviewed at least every 5 years, to ensure that selection criteria, network design and monitoring site locations remain valid and optimal over time.] U.K.

Regulation 17(1) and (2)

SCHEDULE 2 U.K. Limit values

Sulphur dioxide

Averaging period	Limit value
One hour	350 μg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 24 times a calendar year
One day	125 μg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a calendar year

Nitrogen dioxide

Averaging period	Limit value
One hour	200 μg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a calendar year
Calendar year	40 μg/m3

Benzene

Averaging period	Limit value
Calendar year	5 µg/m3

Lead

Averaging period	Limit value
Calendar year	0.5 µg/m3

PM₁₀

Averaging period	Limit value
One day	50 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a calendar year
Calendar year	40 µg/m3

[F5 PM_2.5

Averaging Period	Limit Value	Date by which limit value is to be met
Calendar year	20 μg/m3	1st January 2020]

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in Sch. 2 substituted (10.12.2020) by The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1313), regs. 1(2), 2

Carbon monoxide

1 The maximum daily eight hour mean concentration of carbon monoxide must be selected by examining eight hour running averages, calculated from hourly data and updated each hour. Each eight hour average so calculated will be assigned to the day on which it ends, that is, the first calculation period for any one day will be from 17:00 on the previous day to 01:00 on that day, the last calculation period for any one day will be the period from 16:00 to 24:00 on that day.
Averaging period	Limit value
Maximum eight hour daily mean1	10 mg/m3

Regulation 18(1)

SCHEDULE 3 U.K. Target values

Ozone

1 The maximum daily eight hour mean concentration shall be selected by examining eight hour running averages, calculated from hourly data and updated each hour. Each eight hour average so calculated shall be assigned to the day on which it ends, that is, the first calculation period for any one day will be the period from 17:00 on the previous day to 01:00 on that day. The last calculation period for any one day will be the period from 16:00 to 24:00 on the day.
2 If the three or five year averages cannot be determined on the basis of a full and consecutive set of annual data, the minimum annual data required for checking compliance with the target values will be valid data for one year in relation to the target value for the protection of human health and valid data for three years in relation to the target value for the protection of vegetation.
Objective	Averaging period	Target value
Protection of human health	Maximum daily eight hour mean1	120 μg/m3 not to be exceeded on more than 25 days per calendar year averaged over three years2
Protection of vegetation	May to July	AOT 40 (calculated from 1 h values) 18,000 μg/m3 ∙h averaged over five years2

PM _2.5

Averaging period	Target value
Calendar year	25 μg/m3

Arsenic, cadmium, nickel and benzo(a)pyrene

Pollutant	Target value for the total content in the PM10 fraction averaged over a calendar year	Date by which target value should be met
Arsenic	6 ng/m3	31st December 2012
Cadmium	5 ng/m3	31st December 2012
Nickel	20 ng/m3	31st December 2012
Benzo(a)pyrene	1 ng/m3	31st December 2012

Regulations 8(1) and 20(1)

SCHEDULE 4 U.K. Long term objectives for ozone

Objective	Averaging period	Long term objective
Protection of human health	Maximum daily eight hour mean within a calendar year	120 μg/m3
Protection of vegetation	May to July	AOT 40 (calculated from 1h values) 6000 μg/m3∙h

Regulation 21

SCHEDULE 5 U.K. Information and alert thresholds

Alert thresholds for Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen dioxide

1 To be measured over three consecutive hours at locations representative of air quality over at least 100 km 2 or an entire zone, whichever is smaller.
Pollutant	Alert threshold 1
Sulphur dioxide	500 µg/m3
Nitrogen dioxide	400 µg/m3

Information and alert thresholds for ozone

Purpose	Averaging period	threshold
Information	1 hour	180 µg/m3
Alert	1 hour	240 µg/m3

Regulation 22

SCHEDULE 6 U.K. Critical levels for the protection of vegetation

Oxides of Nitrogen

Averaging period	Critical level
Calendar year	30 µg/m3 NOx

Sulphur dioxide

Averaging period	Critical level
Calendar year and winter (1st October to 31st March)	20 µg/m3

Regulation 24

SCHEDULE 7 U.K. National exposure reduction targets for PM_2.5

National exposure reduction target

Exposure reduction target relative to the AEI in 2010		Year by which the exposure reduction target should be met
Initial concentration in µg/m3	Reduction target in %	2020
Less than or equal to 8.5	0
More than 8.5 but less than 13	10
13 to less than 18	15
18 to less than 22	20
22 or more	All appropriate measures to achieve 18 µg/m3

Where the AEI in the reference year is 8.5 µg/m³or less, the exposure reduction target must be zero. The reduction target must also be zero in cases where the AEI reaches the level of 8.5 µg/m³at any point of time during the period from 2010 to 2020 and is maintained at or below that level.

Regulation 26(3)

SCHEDULE 8 U.K. Information to be included in air quality plans

1.  Location of excess pollution— U.K.

(a) region;

(b) city (map);

(c) measuring station (map, geographical co-ordinates)

2.  General information— U.K.

(a) type of zone (city, industrial or rural area);

(b) estimate of the polluted area (km²) and of the population exposed to the pollution;

(c) useful climatic data;

(d) relevant data on topography; and

(e) sufficient information on the type of targets requiring protection in the zone.

3.  Responsible authorities (names and addresses of persons responsible for the development and implementation of air quality plans). U.K.

4.  Nature and assessment of pollution— U.K.

(a) concentrations observed over previous years (before the implementation of the improvement measures);

(b) concentrations measured since the beginning of the project; and

(c) techniques used for the assessment.

5.  Origin of pollution— U.K.

(a) list of the main emission sources responsible for pollution (map);

(b) total quantity of emissions from these sources (tonnes per year); and

(c) information on pollution imported from other regions.

6.  Analysis of the situation— U.K.

(a) details of those factors responsible for exceeding the limit value or target value (transport, including cross-border transport, formation of secondary pollutants in the atmosphere); and

(b) details of possible measures for improvement of air quality.

7.  Details of those measures or projects for improvements which existed prior to 11th June 2008— U.K.

(a) local, regional, national and international measures; and

(b) observed effects of those measures.

8.  Details of those measures or projects adopted with a view to reducing pollution following 11th June 2008— U.K.

(a) listing and description of all the measures set out in the project;

(b) timetable for implementation;

(c) estimate of the improvement of air quality planned and of the expected time required to attain these objectives.

9.  Details of the measures or projects planned or being researched for the long term. U.K.

10.  List of the publications, documents and work etc. used to supplement information required by this Schedule. U.K.

Regulation 29(2)

SCHEDULE 9 U.K. Public information in relation to alert and information thresholds for nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone

1.  In cases where either the information threshold or the alert threshold for nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide or ozone is exceeded the details set out in paragraphs 3 to 6, as a minimum, must be made available to the public. U.K.

2.  In cases where either the information or alert thresholds are predicted to be exceeded, the information set out in paragraphs 3 to 6 must be provided where practicable. U.K.

3.  Information on any incident where information or alert thresholds are exceeded— U.K.

(a) the location or area where thresholds are exceeded;

(b) the type of threshold exceeded (information or alert threshold);

(c) the time at which the threshold was exceeded and the duration of the incident; and

(d) in the case of ozone, the highest 1-hour and 8-hour mean concentration.

4.  Forecast for the following afternoon, day and days— U.K.

(a) the geographical area in which it is expected that an information or alert threshold will be exceeded;

(b) the expected change in pollution, that is, improvement, stabilisation or deterioration, and the reasons for those changes.

5.  Information on the type of population concerned, possible health effects and recommended conduct in particular— U.K.

(a) information on the population groups at risk;

(b) description of likely symptoms;

(c) recommended precautions to be taken by the population concerned; and

(d) where to find further information.

6.  Information provided under this Schedule must also include— U.K.

(a) information on preventive action to reduce pollution or exposure to it;

(b) an indication of main source sectors; and

(c) recommendations for action to reduce emissions.