Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe

A.

Minimum number of sampling points for fixed measurement to assess compliance with limit values for the protection of human health and alert thresholds in zones and agglomerations where fixed measurement is the sole source of informationU.K.

1.Diffuse sourcesU.K.

a

For nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, benzene and carbon monoxide: to include at least one urban background monitoring station and one traffic-orientated station provided this does not increase the number of sampling points. For these pollutants, the total number of urban-background stations and the total number of traffic oriented stations in a Member State required under Section A(1) shall not differ by more than a factor of 2. Sampling points with exceedances of the limit value for PM10 within the last three years shall be maintained, unless a relocation is necessary owing to special circumstances, in particular spatial development.

b

Where PM2,5 and PM10 are measured in accordance with Article 8 at the same monitoring station, these shall count as two separate sampling points. The total number of PM2,5 and PM10 sampling points in a Member State required under Section A(1) shall not differ by more than a factor of 2, and the number of PM2,5 sampling points in the urban background of agglomerations and urban areas shall meet the requirements under Section B of Annex V.

Population of agglomeration or zone(thousands)If maximum concentrations exceed the upper assessment thresholdaIf maximum concentrations are between the upper and lower assessment thresholds
Pollutants except PMPMb (sum of PM10 and PM2,5)Pollutants except PMPMb (sum of PM10 and PM2,5)
0-2491211
250-4992312
500-7492312
750-9993412
1 000-1 4994623
1 500-1 9995723
2 000-2 7496834
2 750-3 74971034
3 750-4 74981136
4 750-5 99991346
≥ 6 000101547

2.Point sourcesU.K.

For the assessment of pollution in the vicinity of point sources, the number of sampling points for fixed measurement shall be calculated taking into account emission densities, the likely distribution patterns of ambient-air pollution and the potential exposure of the population.