Emission of ozone precursors

Indicator Fact Sheet
Prod-ID: IND-23-en
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This page was archived on 30 Jul 2015 with reason: No more updates will be done

Assessment made on  01 Jan 2001

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DPSIR: Pressure

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Policy issue:  Are we reaching emission targets for substances which create ground-level ozone?

Figures

Emissions of ozone precursors, EU15 Emissions of ozone precursors, EU15 The targets for 2010 are the Gothenburg Protocol target (December 1999) and the more recent National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) Common Position targets (June 2000) for non-methane volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides
Change in national emissions of ozone precursors since 1990 compared with 2010 targets Change in national emissions of ozone precursors since 1990 compared with 2010 targets The targets for 2010 are the Gothenburg Protocol target (December 1999) and the more recent NECD Common Position targets (June 2000) for the EU and individual countries for non-methane volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides individually

Key assessment

Ozone precursors such as non-methane VOCs, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and atmospheric methane help form ground level ozone. A few days� exposure to high levels of ozone can trigger a range of health problems, particularly lung and allergy problems among the very young and very old. Long-term exposure to moderate levels may also lead to weaker lungs in young children, while plants can also be affected.

The 22% drop in ozone precursor emissions in the EU overall between 1990 and 1998 was mainly due to two factors: the widespread introduction of diesel and catalytic converters in road vehicles, and the implementation of the Solvents Directive by industry. This reduction was not evenly shared across Europe, however, with emissions actually increasing in Portugal and Greece.

Despite this fall, the 30% reductions called in the 5th Environmental Action Programme for in both non-methane VOCs and nitrous oxides over the 1990s were not reached. The 2010 proposec in the National Emissions Ceilings Directive will not be met without substantial progress.

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