PM3: Particulates Monitoring, Modelling, Management
LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance 2009, CY/000252:
Air Quality Standards:
DIRECTIVE 2008/50/EC, L 152/1, ANNEX XI, Limit Values for the Protection of Human Health:
PM10 Limit values
One day |
50 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times in a calendar year; |
Margin of tolerance: 50% |
Calendar year | 40 µg/m3 |
Margin of tolerance: 50% |
PM2.5 Target/limit value
Calender year |
25 µg/m3 target value as of 2010; limit value as of 2015 |
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The New Directive is introducing additional PM2.5 objectives targetting the exposure of
the population to fine particles. These objectives are set at the national level and are
based on the average exposure indicator AEI:
this is determined as a 3-year running annual mean PM2.5 concentration averaged over
the selected monitoring stations in agglomerations and larger urban areas,
set in urban background locations to best assess the PM2.5 exposure to the general population.
This New Directive includes the following key elements:
- that most of existing legislation be merged into a single directive (except for the fourth
daughter directive) with no change to existing air quality objectives;
Framework Directive 96/62/EC, 1-3 daughter Directives 1999/30/EC, 2000/69/EC, 2002/3/EC,
and Decision on Exchange of Information 97/101/EC.
- New air quality objectives for PM2.5 (fine particles) including the limit value
and exposure related objetives (exposure concentration obligation and exposure reduction target)
- the possibility to discount natural sources of pollution when assessing compliance
against limit values
- possibility for time extensions of three years (PM10) or up to five years (NO2, benzene)
for complying with limit values, based on conditions and the assessment by the European Commission.
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 *) + 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 |
*) 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 18µµg/m3 by 2020.
Criteria for the validity of aggregated data and statistical parameters:
Under EU law a limit value is legally binding from the date it enters into force subject
to any exceedances permitted by the legislation. A target value is to be attained as far as possible
by the attainment date and so is less strict than a limit value.
24-hour values | 75% of the hourly averages (i.e., at least 18 hour values) |
Annual mean | 90% of the one hour values or (if available) 24-hour values over the year |
Data coverage requirements do not include data losses due to regular calibration
or the normal maintenance of the instrumentation.
2008/50/EC
Other relvant substance specific standards
are summarized in the Table below:
substance |
value |
unit |
period |
comments |
NO2 |
200 |
µg/m3 |
hourly |
not to be exceeded more than 18 time in a calendar year; limit value as of 2010 |
NO2 |
40 |
µg/m3 |
annual |
|
PM10 |
50 |
µg/m3 |
daily |
not to be exceeded more than 35 times in a calendar year; limit value since 2005 |
PM10 |
40 |
µg/m3 |
annual |
limit value since 2005 |
PM2.5 |
25 |
µg/m3 |
annual |
target value as of 2010; limit value as of 2015 |
benzene |
5 |
µg/m3 |
annual |
Limit value has entered into force 1.1.2010 |
cadmium |
5 |
ng/m3 |
annual |
target value as of 2012 |
arsenic |
6 |
ng/m3 |
annual |
target value as of 2012 |
nickel |
20 |
ng/m3 |
annual |
target value as of 2012 |
BaP |
1 |
ng/m3 |
annual |
target value as of 2012 |
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The PM3 project was supported by The Environment - LIFE+ Programme of the European Commission
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