Consultation on UK application for an extension to meet EU air quality limits

Defra is seeking views on the UK application to the European Commission for an extension to meet air quality targets for Particulate Matter (PM₁₀). The application for an extension will be submitted to the European Commission as soon as possible after this consultation has closed on 10 March.

 

PM₁₀ is made up of very small particles of soot and dust in the air, less than 10 micrometers in diameter (human hair ranges from 17-180 micrometers in diameter). The sources of these particles include transport, industrial plants, construction, and extremely small particles carried on the wind from neighbouring countries. There is also a small amount from natural sources, such as dust blown from Africa or sea salt.

 

Most other Member States have also reported some breaches of the EU PM₁₀ limits since they came into force in 2005: 24 out of 27 reported breaches of the limit in 2007. They will also need to apply to the European Commission for additional time.

 

Levels of PM₁₀ have been falling across the UK. However, in eight areas breaches of the PM₁₀ limit values have been reported to the European Commission since they came into force in 2005 and so additional time to meet the limits is needed.

The extension would enable current and planned measures to take effect to reduce PM₁₀ levels to within the EU limits by the extended deadline of 2011.

 

Consultation documents are available to download from the Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/air-quality/index.htm.  The deadline for responses is 10^th March 2009.