PART 2Assessment of ambient air quality

CHAPTER 1Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, lead, benzene and carbon monoxide

Location and number of sampling points7

1

The Secretary of State must install sampling points in accordance with Schedule 1 for the assessment of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, lead, benzene and carbon monoxide.

2

In zones where fixed measurement is the sole source of information for the assessment of air quality, the number of sampling points must be more than or equal to the minimum number specified in Section A of Annex V to Directive 2008/50/EC for the purpose of assessing compliance with limit values and alert thresholds.

3

In zones other than agglomerations where fixed measurement is the sole source of information for the assessment of air quality, the number of sampling points must be more than or equal to the minimum number specified in Section C of Annex V to Directive 2008/50/EC for the purpose of assessing compliance with critical levels for the protection of vegetation.

4

In zones where the information from fixed measurement is supplemented by information from modelling or indicative measurement or both, the number of sampling points in either Section A or C of Annex V, or both, may be reduced by up to 50% provided that the following conditions are met—

a

the supplementary methods provide sufficient information for the assessment of air quality in relation to limit values or alert thresholds,

b

the supplementary methods provide sufficient information to inform the public as to the state of ambient air quality, and

c

the number of sampling points to be installed and the spatial resolution of other techniques are sufficient for the concentration of the relevant pollutant to be established in accordance with the data quality objectives specified in Section A of Annex I to Directive 2008/50/EC and enable assessment results to meet the criteria in Section B of the same annex.

5

For the measurement of PM2.5 in rural background locations, the Secretary of State must install a sampling point for every 100,000 km2.