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Air Pollution: harmful particles
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The European Commission wants to further reduce air pollution in Europe. Although the situation has improved substantially over the last few decades, there are still significant areas of concern with regard to certain pollutants that are particularly harmful to human health (respiratory diseases) and damaging to the environment (acidification, eutrophication, etc.). The anti-pollution programme that the Commission has launched to that effect is called the “Clean Air for Europe” or CAFE programme.
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Giving Europe more breathing space
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Air pollution has been one of Europe’s main concerns since the late 1970s. Over the last few decades, the rapid growth in industry and increased reliance on cars and public transport has contributed to a rapid decline in air quality, from smog and acid rain to asthma and other respiratory diseases.
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Air pollution
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Sulphur dioxide 2010 - Daily limit value for the protection of human health
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In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50) the EU has set two limit values for sulphur dioxide (SO2) for the protection of human health: the SO2 hourly mean value may not exceed 350 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 24 times in a year and the SO2 daily mean value may not exceed 125 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 3 times in a year.
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Benzo(a)pyrene 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 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) for the protection of human health; the target is defined in terms of concentration of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) which is used as a marker substance for PAHs generally: the BaP annual mean value may not exceed 1 nanogram per cubic metre (ng/m3). The target value enters into force 31.12.2012.
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Sulphur dioxide 2010 - Hourly limit value for the protection of human health
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In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50) the EU has set two limit values for sulphur dioxide (SO2) for the protection of human health: the SO2 hourly mean value may not exceed 350 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 24 times in a year and the SO2 daily mean value may not exceed 125 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 3 times in a year.
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Nitrogen dioxide 2010 - Hourly limit value for the protection of human health
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In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50), the EU has set two limit values for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for the protection of human health: the NO2 hourly mean value may not exceed 200 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 18 times in a year and the NO2 annual mean value may not exceed 40 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3). These limit values come into force for concentrations measured from 1.1.2010 so during 2009 a margin of tolerance equal to an annual mean value of 42 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) is still in place
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Sulphur dioxide 2010 - Annual limit value for the protection of ecosystems
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In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50), the EU has set two limit values for sulphur dioxide (SO2) for the protection of vegetation within the zones designated by member states: the SO2 annual mean value may not exceed 20 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) and the SO2 mean value for the winter period (1 October to 31 March) may not exceed 20 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3).
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Carbon monoxide 2010 - 8 hour mean limit value for the protection of human health
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In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50), the EU has set a limit value for carbon monoxide (CO) for the protection of human health: the CO maximum daily 8-hour mean values may not exceed 10 milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m3).
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Data and maps
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Maps and graphs
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Sulphur dioxide 2010 - Daily limit value for the protection of human health
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In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50) the EU has set two limit values for sulphur dioxide (SO2) for the protection of human health: the SO2 hourly mean value may not exceed 350 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 24 times in a year and the SO2 daily mean value may not exceed 125 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 3 times in a year.
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Ozone 2010 - 8 hour mean target value for the protection of human health
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In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50), the EU has set a target value and a long term objective value for ozone (O3) for the protection of human health. Target value: the maximum daily eight-hour mean may not exceed 120 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) on more than 25 days per calendar year averaged over three years. Long term objective value: the maximum daily eight-hour mean may not exceed 120 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) within a calendar year.
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