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Exceedance of air quality limit values in urban areas (CSI 004) - Assessment published Nov 2012: Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) In the period 2001-2010, 18-41 % of the urban population in EU-27 was potentially exposed to ambient concentrations of particulate matter (PM 10 ) in excess of the EU limit value set for the protection of human health (50 microgram/m 3 daily mean not to be exceeded more than 35 days a calendar year); (Figure 1). Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) In the period 2001-2010, 6-27 % of the urban population in EU-27 was potentially exposed to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) concentrations above the EU limit value set for the protection of human health (40 microgram NO 2 /m 3 annual mean). There was a slight downwards trend over the period (Figure 1) Ozone (O 3 ) In the period 2001-2010, 15-61 % of the urban population in EU-27 was exposed to ambient ozone concentrations exceeding the EU target value set for the protection of human health (120 microgram O 3 /m 3 daily maximum 8-hourly average, not to be exceeded more than 25 times a calendar year, averaged over three years and to be achieved where possible by 2010). The 61 % of the urban population exposed to ambient ozone concentrations over the EU target value was recorded in 2003, which was the record year. There was no discernible trend over the period (Figure 1). Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) In the period 2001-2010, the fraction of the urban population in EU-27 that is potentially exposed to ambient concentrations of sulphur dioxide in excess of the EU limit value set for the protection of human health (125 microgram SO 2 /m 3 daily mean not to be exceeded more than three days a year), decreased to less than 1 %, and as such the EU limit value set is close to being met everywhere in the urban background (Figure 1).
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Exceedance of air quality limit values in urban areas
Distance to target for EEA member countries - Sulphur dioxide: Data are for sulphur dioxide (SO2). The distance to target results are shown in green (countries need to do more to be on track to meet their ceiling in 2010) and purple (countries are on track to meet their ceiling in 2010).
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Change in sulphur dioxide emissions for each sector between 1990 and 2007 (EEA member countries): Bar chart showing percentage change between 1990 and 2007 of sulphur dioxide emissions. Detail is shown by sector (EEA's sector classification).
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Change in sulphur oxides emissions for each sector between 1990 and 2009 (EEA member countries): Percentage change in sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions for each sector between 1990 and 2009.
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Percentage of urban population resident in areas where pollutant concentrations are higher than selected limit/target values, 1997-2009 (EU-27): The rationale for selection of pollutant and corresponding limit/target values for CSI 004 is given in the justification for indicator selection. Only urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations have been included in the calculations. Data for Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta, are not included due to the geographical coverage of the Urban Audit.
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Air pollution from electricity-generating large combustion plants: Located in Publications
NEC Directive status report 2007: Located in Publications
NEC Directive status report 2006: Located in Publications
Environment and health: Located in Publications