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Location of stations for which 2011 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, Pb, CO have been reported.
Observed concentration maps for which 2011 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, CO, BaP, Pb, Cd, As and Ni have been reported.
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Heavy metal (HM) emissions (APE 005) - Assessment published Dec 2012
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Across the EEA-32 countries, emissions of lead have decreased by 89%, mercury by 63% and cadmium by 60% between 1990 and 2010. For each substance, the most significant sources in 2010 are from energy-related fuel combustion, particularly from public power and heat generating facilities, and from industrial facilities.
Much progress has been made since the early 1990s in reducing point source emissions of cadmium and lead (e.g. emissions from industrial facilities). This has been achieved through improvements in, for example, abatement technologies for wastewater treatment, incinerators and in metal refining and smelting industries, and in some countries by the closure of older industrial facilities as a consequence of economic re-structuring.
In the case of mercury, the observed decrease in emissions may be largely attributed to improved controls on mercury cells used in industrial processes (e.g. in the chlor-alkali process) including the replacement of old mercury cells by diaphragm or membrane cells, and the general decline of coal use across Europe as a result of fuel switching.
The promotion of unleaded petrol within the EU and in other EEA member countries through a combination of fiscal and regulatory measures has been a particular success story. EU Member States have completely phased out the use of leaded petrol, a goal that was regulated by Directive 98/70/EC. From being the largest source of lead emissions in 1990, when it contributed around 75% of the EEA-32 total for lead, emissions from the road transport sector have decreased by nearly 99%. Nevertheless, the road transport sector still remains an important source of lead, contributing around 10% of total lead emissions in the EEA-32 region. However since 2002 little progress has been made in reducing emissions further; 98% of the total reduction from 1990 emissions of lead had been achieved by 2002.
Environmental context: Heavy metals (such as cadmium, lead and mercury) are recognised as being toxic to biota. All are prone to biomagnification, i.e. being progressively accumulated higher up the food chain, such that bioaccumulation in lower organisms at relatively low concentrations can expose higher consumer organisms, including humans, to potentially harmful concentrations. In humans they are also of direct concern because of their toxicity, their potential to cause cancer and their potential ability to cause harmful effects at low concentrations.
The relative toxic/carcinogenic potencies of heavy metals are compound specific, but exposure to heavy metals has been linked with developmental retardation, various cancers and kidney damage. Metals are persistent throughout the environment, and cadmium, lead and mercury are among those heavy metals that are already a focus of international and EU action. These substances tend not just to be confined to a given geographical region, and thus are not always open to effective local control. For example, in the case of cadmium, much is found in fine particles which do not readily dry-deposit, and therefore have long residence times in the atmosphere and are subject to long-range transport processes.
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Heavy metal (HM) emissions
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Change in cadmium, mercury and lead emissions for each sector between 1990 and 2010 (EEA member countries)
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Percentage change in cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) emissions for each sector between 1990 and 2010.
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Sector split of emissions of selected heavy metals for 2010 (EEA member countries)
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The contribution made by different sectors to emissions of cadmium - Cd; mercury - Hg; and lead - Pb in 2010.
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Change (%) in cadmium emissions 1990-2010 (EEA member countries)
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The reported change in cadmium (Cd) emissions for each country, 1990-2010.
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Emission trends of selected heavy metals (EEA member countries - indexed 1990 = 100)
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Emission trends 1990-2010 for cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb).
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Cadmium 2010 - Annual target value for the protection of human health
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In the directive 2004/107/EC (Fourth Daughter Directive), the EU has set a target value for cadmium (Cd) for the protection of human health: the Cd annual mean value may not exceed 5 nanograms per cubic metre (ng/m3). The target value enters into force 31.12.2012.
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Cadmium 2010 - Annual target value for the protection of human health
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In the directive 2004/107/EC (Fourth Daughter Directive), the EU has set a target value for cadmium (Cd) for the protection of human health: the Cd annual mean value may not exceed 5 nanograms per cubic metre (ng/m3). The target value enters into force 31.12.2012.
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EU emissions of As, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb, 2001–2010, as a percentage of 2001 emissions
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Poland did not report emissions of As nor Ni in 2004 which explains the decrease in reported emissions in 2004. Poland was responsible for 15–20 % of EU emissions of As and 13–18 % of EU emissions of Ni in 2001–2010.
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AirBase - Exchange of information
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Location of stations for which 2010 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, Pb, CO have been reported.
Observed concentration maps for which 2010 air quality data for components O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, C6H6, PM2.5, CO, BaP, Pb, Cd, As and Ni have been reported.
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Data and maps
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