CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Working draft last updated 17 January 2009

Legal protections and breaches of air quality standards in 2008

Breaches of air quality limit values and objectives in the United Kingdom in 2008

The overall air quality situation is assessed through a mixture of monitoring and computer modelling (with the monitoring sites providing reference points). For example see government maps showing where limit values for particulate matter (PM10) are still expected to be being breached in London in 2011:

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/_attachments/3862679/PM10%20London%20maps%20080812%20London%20overview%20slide%20only.pdf

See also page 9 of the City of Westminster’s publication - Developing a new Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan (Consultation on Issues) (note 2.8MB file size):

http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/Developing%20a%20new%20Air%20Quality%20Strategy%20and%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Consultation%20on%20Issues.pdf

Exceedance statistics can be obtained from the UK Air Quality Network. See:

http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/data_and_statistics.php?action=exceedence_pre_step&go=Go

In 2008, Air Quality Strategy Objective (PM10) annual mean > 40 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) (i.e. limit value from 1 January 2005)

London

http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/data_and_statistics.php?f_exceedence_id=E20&f_year=2008&f_network_id=Array&f_group_id=2&f_region_reference_id=1&f_sub_region_id=9999&f_output=screen&f_parameter_id=GE10&action=exceedence3&go=Go

In 2008, Air Quality Strategy Objective for 2004 (PM10) daily mean > 50 ug/m3 on more than 35 days (i.e. limit value from 1 January 2005):

Includes Glasgow and London

http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/data_and_statistics.php?f_exceedence_id=E22&f_year=2008&f_network_id=Array&f_group_id=2&f_region_reference_id=1&f_sub_region_id=9999&f_output=screen&f_parameter_id=GE10&action=exceedence3&go=Go

In 2008, Air Quality Strategy Objective for 2005 (NO2) annual mean > 40 ug/m3 (i.e. limit value from 1 January 2010):

Includes over 100 cities and towns across the United Kingdom (UK)

http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/data_and_statistics.php?f_exceedence_id=E1&f_year=2008&f_network_id=Array&f_group_id=2&f_region_reference_id=1&f_sub_region_id=9999&f_output=screen&f_parameter_id=NO2&action=exceedence3&go=Go

In 2008, Air Quality Strategy Objective for 2005 (NO2) hourly mean > 200 ug/m3 for more than 18 hours (i.e. limit value from 1 January 2010):

Includes Aberdeen, Bury, Glasgow and London

http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/data_and_statistics.php?f_exceedence_id=E2&f_year=2008&f_network_id=Array&f_group_id=2&f_region_reference_id=1&f_sub_region_id=9999&f_output=screen&f_parameter_id=NO2&action=exceedence3&go=Go

Legal protections

Legal protections exist under European Union and UK law. For detailed information and links to relevant legal and other documents, please see more...

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