Ñ. Overview of European Union Ambient Air Quality Standards
Assessing and managing the health risks associated with outdoor air pollution within the European Union is a multifaceted endeavour. It necessitates the consideration of an array of pollutants, varying exposure levels, and potential health consequences. Moreover, the intricate interplay of cultural habits, lifestyles, and climate, along with the varying susceptibility of different segments of the population, adds complexity to the task. Vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly pertinent in this context133.
Within the European Union, a framework for ambient air quality standards and objectives has been established. These standards, designed to safeguard public health and the environment, encompass different periods of time in recognition of the diverse health impacts associated with various pollutants and exposure durations, in line with World Health Organisation guidelines. Underpinning European law is the concept of binding limit values, which take effect upon enactment and are subject to defined permitted exceedances. On the other hand, target values reflect an obligation to implement measures that lead to their attainment without imposing disproportionate costs, resulting in a comparatively less stringent framework134.
Notably, Directive 2008/50/EC introduces a pivotal component in the form of PM2.5 objectives. These objectives are specifically aimed at regulating the exposure of the population to fine particulate matter, denoted as PM2.5. Operating at the national level, these objectives are formulated using an Average Exposure Indicator (AEI), which involves assessing the 3-year running annual mean PM2.5 concentration across chosen monitoring stations within agglomerations and larger urban areas. This strategic approach, set in urban background locations, optimally evaluates the PM2.5 exposure experienced by the general population135.
Table 3
| Pollutant | Concentration | Averaging period | Legal nature | Permitted exceedences each year |
| Fine particles (PM2.5) | 25 µg/m | 1 year | Target value to be met as of 1.1.2010
Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2015 |
n/a |
| Fine particles (PM2.5) | 20 µg/m3 | 1 year | Stage 2 limit value to be met as of 1.1.2020[1] | n/a |
| Sulphur dioxide (SO2) | 350 µg/m3 | 1 hour | Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2005 | 24 |
| Sulphur dioxide (SO2) | 125 µg/m3 | 24 hours | Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2005 | 3 |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 200 µg/m3 | 1 hour | Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2010 | 18 |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 40 µg/m3 | 1 year | Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2010[2] | n/a |
| Particulate matter (PM10) | 50 µg/m3 | 24 hours | Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2005[3] | 35 |
| Particulate matter (PM10) | 40 µg/m3 | 1 year | Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2005[4] | n/a |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.5 µg/m3 | 1 year | Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2005 (or 1.1.2010 in the immediate vicinity of specific, notified industrial sources; and a 1.0 µg/m3 limit value applied from 1.1.2005 to 31.12.2009) | n/a |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 10 mg/m3 | Maximum daily 8 hour mean | Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2005 | n/a |
| Benzene | 5 µg/m3 | 1 year | Limit value to be met as of 1.1.2010[5] | n/a |
| Ozone | 120 µg/m3 | Maximum daily 8 hour mean | Target value to be met as of 1.1.2010 | 25 days averaged over 3 years |
| Arsenic (As) | 6 ng/m3 | 1 year | Target value to be met as of 31.12.2012 | n/a |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 5 ng/m3 | 1 year | Target value to be met as of 31.12.2012 | n/a |
| Nickel (Ni) | 20 ng/m3 | 1 year | Target value to be met as of 31.12.2012 | n/a |
| Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
|
1 ng/m3
(expressed as concentration of Benzo(a)pyrene) |
1 year | Target value to be met as of 31.12.2012 | n/a |
[1] Stage 2: indicative limit value as referred to in Directive 2008/50/EU.
[2] Under Directive 2008/50/EU, the Member State could apply for an extension of up to five years (i.e. maximum up to 2015) in a specific zone. The request is subject to an assessment by the Commission. In such cases within the time extension period the limit value applies at the level of the limit value + maximum margin of tolerance ( 48 µg/m3 for annual NO2 limit value).
[3] Under Directive 2008/50/EU, the Member State was able to apply for an extension until three years after the date of entry into force of the new Directive (i.e. May 2011) in a specific zone. The request was subject to assessment by the Commission. In such cases within the time extension period the limit value applies at the level of the limit value + maximum margin of tolerance (35 days at 75µg/m3 for daily PM10 limit value, 48 µg/m3 for annual Pm10 limit value).
[4] Under Directive 2008/50/EU, the Member State was able to apply for an extension until three years after the date of entry into force of the new Directive (i.e. May 2011) in a specific zone. The request was subject to assessment by the Commission. In such cases within the time extension period the limit value applies at the level of the limit value + maximum margin of tolerance (35 days at 75µg/m3 for daily PM10 limit value, 48 µg/m3 for annual Pm10 limit value).
[5] Under Directive 2008/50/EU, the Member State was able to apply for an extension until three years after the date of entry into force of the new Directive (i.e. May 2011) in a specific zone. The request was subject to assessment by the Commission. In such cases within the time extension period the limit value applies at the level of the limit value + maximum margin of tolerance (35 days at 75µg/m3 for daily PM10 limit value, 48 µg/m3 for annual Pm10 limit value).
Table 4
| Title | Metric | Averaging Period | Legal Nature | Permitted exceedences each year |
| PM2.5
Exposure concentration obligation
|
20 µg/m3 (AEI) | Based on 3 year average | Legally binding in 2015 (years 2013,2014,2015) | n/a |
| PM2.5
Exposure reduction target
|
Percentage reduction[1]
+ all measures to reach 18 µg/m3 (AEI) |
Based on 3 year average | Reduction to be attained where possible in 2020, determined on the basis of the value of exposure indicator in 2010 | n/a |
[1] Depending on the value of AEI in 2010, a percentage reduction requirement ( 0,10,15, or 20%) is set in the Directive. If AEI in 2010 is assessed to be over 22 µg/m3, all appropriate measures need to be taken to achieve 18 µg/m3 by 2020.
References
133 Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs, “Indoor Air Quality,” the European Commission, 2008. Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/en/indoor-air-pollution/l-2/5-pollutant-mixtures.htm#0
134 The European Commission, “The EU Air Standards,” the European Commission, 2020. Available online: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/air/air-quality/eu-air-quality-standards_en
135 The European Commission, “The EU Air Standards,” the European Commission, 2020. Available online: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/air/air-quality/eu-air-quality-standards_en