The Air Quality Limit Values Regulations 2001

1. Introductory Text

2. 1. Citation, commencement and extent

3. 2. Definitions

4. 3. Duty to ensure that ambient air quality is improved

5. 4. Assessment of ambient air quality

6. 5. Classification of zones

7. 6. Review of classifications

8. 7. Method of assessment of ambient air quality

9. 8. Action plans

10. 9. Action to be taken where limit values are exceeded

11. 10. Consultations with other Member States of the European Union

12. 11. Extension of power to give directions relating to air quality

13. 12. Zones where the levels are lower than the limit value

14. 13. Public information

15. 14. Revocations of Air Quality Standards Regulations 1989 and transitional provisions

16. Signature

17. 1. SCHEDULE 1

       LIMIT VALUES, MARGINS OF TOLERANCE ETC.

       1. PART I SULPHUR DIOXIDE

          1. 1.1. Limit values for sulphur dioxide

          2. 1.2. Alert threshold for sulphur dioxide

          3. 1.3. Minimum details to be made available to the public when the alert threshold for sulphur dioxide is exceeded

       2. PART II NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO₂) AND OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NO_x)

          1. 2.1. Limit values for nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen

          2. 2.2. Alert threshold for nitrogen dioxide

          3. 2.3. Minimum details to be made available to the public when the alert threshold for nitrogen dioxide is exceeded

       3. PART III PARTICULATE MATTER (PM₁₀)

       4. PART IV LEAD

    2. SCHEDULE 2

       UPPER AND LOWER ASSESSMENT THRESHOLDS AND EXCEEDANCES

       1. PART I Upper and lower assessment thresholds

          1. The following upper and lower assessment thresholds will apply: (a)...

       2. PART II Determination of exceedances of upper and lower assessment thresholds

          1. Exceedances of upper and lower assessment thresholds must be determined...

          2. Where fewer than five years' data are available, measurement campaigns...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

       LOCATION OF SAMPLING POINTS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE, NITROGEN DIOXIDE AND OXIDES OF NITROGEN, PARTICULATE MATTER AND LEAD IN AMBIENT AIR

       1. The following considerations will apply to fixed measurement.

       2. PART I Macroscale siting

          1. (a) Protection of human health

          2. Sampling points directed at the protection of human health should...

          3. Sampling points should in general be sited to avoid measuring...

          4. Sampling points should also, where possible, be representative of similar...

          5. Account should be taken of the need to locate sampling...

          6. Sampling points targeted at the protection of ecosystems or vegetation...

          7. Account should be taken of the need to assess air...

       3. PART II Microscale siting

          1. The following guidelines should be met as far as practicable:...

          2. The following factors may also be taken into account: interfering...

       4. PART III Documentation and review of site selection

          1. The site-selection procedures should be fully documented at the classification...

    4. SCHEDULE 4

       CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBERS OF SAMPLING POINTS FOR FIXED MEASUREMENT OF CONCENTRATIONS OF RELEVANT POLLUTANTS IN AMBIENT AIR

       1. PART I 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 where fixed measurement is the sole source of information

          1. (a) Diffuse sources Population of zone (thousands) If concentrations exceed...

          2. (b) Point sources

          3. For the assessment of pollution in the vicinity of point...

       2. PART II Minimum number of sampling points for fixed measurements to assess compliance with limit values for the protection of ecosystems or vegetation in zones other than agglomerations

    5. SCHEDULE 5

       DATA-QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND COMPILATION OF RESULTS OF AIR-QUALITY ASSESSMENT

       1. PART I Data-quality objectives

          1. The following data-quality objectives for the required accuracy of assessment...

          2. The accuracy of the measurement is defined as laid down...

          3. The accuracy for modelling and objective estimation is defined as...

          4. The requirements for minimum data capture and time coverage do...

          5. The Secretary of State may allow for random measurements to...

       2. PART II Results of air quality assessment

          1. The following information should be compiled for zones within which...

          2. Where possible maps shall be compiled showing concentration distributions within...

    6. SCHEDULE 6

       REFERENCE METHODS FOR ASSESSMENT OF CONCENTRATIONS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE, NITROGEN DIOXIDE AND OXIDES OF NITROGEN, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM _{1 0} AND PM _{2 . 5}) AND LEAD

       1. PART I Reference method for the analysis of sulphur dioxide

          1. ISO/FDIS 10498 (Standard in draft) Ambient air—determination of sulphur dioxide—ultraviolet...

       2. PART II Reference method for the analysis of nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen

          1. ISO 7996: 1985 Ambient air—determination of the mass concentrations of...

       3. PART IIIA Reference method for the sampling of lead

          1. The reference method for the sampling of lead will be...

       4. PART IIIB Reference method for the analysis of lead

          1. ISO 9855: 1993 Ambient air—Determination of the particulate lead content...

       5. PART IV Reference method for the sampling and measurement of PM₁₀

          1. The reference method for the sampling and measurement of PM10...

    7. SCHEDULE 7

       INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PLAN OR PROGRAMME FOR IMPROVEMENT OF AIR QUALITY

       1. 1. Localisation of excess pollution region city (map) measuring station (map,...

       2. 2. General information type of zone (city, industrial or rural area)...

       3. 3. Responsible authorities Names and addresses of persons responsible for the...

       4. 4. Nature and assessment of pollution concentrations observed over previous years...

       5. 5. Origin of pollution list of the main emission sources responsible...

       6. 6. Analysis of the situation details of those factors responsible for...

       7. 7. Details of those measures or projects for improvement which existed...

       8. 8. Details of those measures or projects adopted with a view...

       9. 9. Details of the measures or projects planned or being researched...

       10. 10. List of the publications, documents, work etc used to supplement...

18. Explanatory Note