The Air Quality Limit Values Regulations 2001

1Citation, commencement and extent

3Duty to ensure that ambient air quality is improved

4Assessment of ambient air quality

5Classification of zones

6Review of classifications

7Method of assessment of ambient air quality

9Action to be taken where limit values are exceeded

10Consultations with other Member States of the European Union

11Extension of power to give directions relating to air quality

12Zones where the levels are lower than the limit value

13Public information

14Revocations of Air Quality Standards Regulations 1989 and transitional provisions

SCHEDULE 1LIMIT VALUES, MARGINS OF TOLERANCE ETC.

PART ISULPHUR DIOXIDE

1.1Limit values for sulphur dioxide

1.2Alert threshold for sulphur dioxide

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

PART IINITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO₂) AND OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NO_x)

2.1Limit values for nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen

2.2Alert threshold for nitrogen dioxide

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

PART IIIPARTICULATE MATTER (PM₁₀)

SCHEDULE 2UPPER AND LOWER ASSESSMENT THRESHOLDS AND EXCEEDANCES

PART IUpper and lower assessment thresholds

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

PART IIDetermination of exceedances of upper and lower assessment thresholds

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

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

SCHEDULE 3LOCATION OF SAMPLING POINTS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE, NITROGEN DIOXIDE AND OXIDES OF NITROGEN, PARTICULATE MATTER AND LEAD IN AMBIENT AIR

The following considerations will apply to fixed measurement.

PART IMacroscale siting

(a) Protection of human health

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

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

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

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

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

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

PART IIMicroscale siting

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

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

PART IIIDocumentation and review of site selection

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

SCHEDULE 4CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBERS OF SAMPLING POINTS FOR FIXED MEASUREMENT OF CONCENTRATIONS OF RELEVANT POLLUTANTS IN AMBIENT AIR

PART IMinimum 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

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

(b) Point sources

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

PART IIMinimum 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

SCHEDULE 5DATA-QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND COMPILATION OF RESULTS OF AIR-QUALITY ASSESSMENT

PART IData-quality objectives

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

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

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

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

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

PART IIResults of air quality assessment

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

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

SCHEDULE 6REFERENCE 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

PART IReference method for the analysis of sulphur dioxide

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

PART IIReference method for the analysis of nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen

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

PART IIIAReference method for the sampling of lead

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

PART IIIBReference method for the analysis of lead

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

PART IVReference method for the sampling and measurement of PM₁₀

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

SCHEDULE 7INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PLAN OR PROGRAMME FOR IMPROVEMENT OF AIR QUALITY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2001 No. 2315

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Air Quality Limit Values Regulations 2001

Made25th June 2001

Laid before Parliament28th June 2001

Coming into force19th July 2001

The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred upon her by subsection (2) of section 2 of the European Communities Act 19721, being a Minister designated2 for the purpose of that subsection in relation to the control of air pollution, hereby makes the following Regulations: