The Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations 2023

Site descriptions: interpretation

1.  In this Schedule, the following descriptions of sites of monitoring stations have the following meanings—

“near-source” means a site in a location where the PM_2.5 level is likely to be elevated above the background level due to the influence of one or more sources of pollution in close proximity to the site, such as emissions from traffic from a major road or from nearby industrial sources;

“suburban background” means a site—

(a)

in a partially built-up area which is mixed with non-urbanised areas; and

(b)

where the PM_2.5 level is not significantly influenced by a source or sources of pollution in close proximity to the site, and is therefore representative of the background level of PM_2.5 to which the population is likely to be exposed across a wider area than the immediate vicinity of the site;

“urban background” means a site—

(a)

in a continuously or predominantly built-up area which is not mixed with any non-urbanised areas except for urban parks; and

(b)

where the PM_2.5 level is not significantly influenced by a source or sources of pollution in close proximity to the site, and is therefore representative of the background level of PM_2.5 to which the population is likely to be exposed across a wider area than the immediate vicinity of the site.