ANNEX IIDetermination of requirements for assessment of concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2,5), lead, benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air within a zone or agglomeration
A.Upper and lower assessment thresholds
The following upper and lower assessment thresholds will apply:
1.Sulphur dioxide
Health protection | Vegetation protection | |
|---|---|---|
Upper assessment threshold | 60 % of 24-hour limit value (75 μg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 3 times in any calendar year) | 60 % of winter critical level (12 μg/m3) |
Lower assessment threshold | 40 % of 24-hour limit value (50 μg/m3, not to be exceeded more than three times in any calendar year) | 40 % of winter critical level (8 μg/m3) |
2.Nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen
Hourly limit value for the protection of human health (NO2) | Annual limit value for the protection of human health (NO2) | Annual critical level for the protection of vegetation and natural ecosystems (NOx) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Upper assessment threshold | 70 % of limit value (140 μg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 18 times in any calendar year) | 80 % of limit value (32 μg/m3) | 80 % of critical level (24 μg/m3) |
Lower assessment threshold | 50 % of limit value (100 μg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 18 times in any calendar year) | 65 % of limit value (26 μg/m3) | 65 % of critical level (19,5 μg/m3) |
3.Particulate matter (PM10/PM2,5)
24-hour average PM10 | Annual average PM10 | Annual average PM2,525 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Upper assessment threshold | 70 % of limit value (35 μg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times in any calendar year) | 70 % of limit value (28 μg/m3) | 70 % of limit value (17 μg/m3) |
Lower assessment threshold | 50 % of limit value (25 μg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times in any calendar year) | 50 % of limit value (20 μg/m3) | 50 % of limit value (12 μg/m3) |
The upper assessment threshold and the lower assessment threshold for PM2,5 do not apply to the measurements to assess compliance with the PM2,5 exposure reduction target for the protection of human health. | |||
4.Lead
Annual average | |
|---|---|
Upper assessment threshold | 70 % of limit value (0,35 μg/m3) |
Lower assessment threshold | 50 % of limit value (0,25 μg/m3) |
5.Benzene
Annual average | |
|---|---|
Upper assessment threshold | 70 % of limit value (3,5 μg/m3) |
Lower assessment threshold | 40 % of limit value (2 μg/m3) |
6.Carbon monoxide
Eight-hour average | |
|---|---|
Upper assessment threshold | 70 % of limit value (7 mg/m3) |
Lower assessment threshold | 50 % of limit value (5 mg/m3) |
B.Determination of exceedances of upper and lower assessment thresholds
Exceedances of upper and lower assessment thresholds shall be determined on the basis of concentrations during the previous five years where sufficient data are available. An assessment threshold shall be deemed to have been exceeded if it has been exceeded during at least three separate years out of those previous five years.
Where fewer than five years’ data are available, Member States may combine measurement campaigns of short duration during the period of the year and at locations likely to be typical of the highest pollution levels with results obtained from information from emission inventories and modelling to determine exceedances of the upper and lower assessment thresholds.