Ambient air quality: limit values for sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead

1997/0266(SYN)
In adopting the report by Mrs Anita POLLACK (PSE, UK) Parliament called for clear information to be provided to the public and the relevant organizations. Information on ambient concentrations of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter should be updated on an hourly basis and, in the case of lead, on a three-monthly basis. Alert thresholds were set for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. In the event of the alert thresholds being exceeded, the minimum information to be supplied to the public should include: date, hour and place of the occurrence, forecasts as regards the change in concentrations, the geographical area concerned and the duration, the type of population potentially sensitive to the occurrence and lastly the precautions to be taken. Parliament also strengthened certain requirements with regard to sulphur dioxide. Sampling points should be situated in such a way as to include information on small islands. Parliament called for the sampling points provided for the protection of ecosystems and the vegetation to be sited beyond 20 km from agglomerations or 5 km from a built-up area, an industrial installation or major road. Exceptionally Member States might designate zones within which the limit value for lead could not be met by 1 January 2005 owing to concentrations of lead due to industrial processes. However these limit values had to be attained by 1 January 2010. Parliament called on the Commission to review the directive before 30 September 2003. In order to facilitate this review the Commission and the Member States should encourage and support research into the effects of pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead. �