Legal provisions of COM(1998)591 - Limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(1998)591 - Limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(1998)591  |
| date | November 16, 2000 |
Contents
Article 1 - Objectives
(a) establish limit values for concentrations of benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air intended to avoid, prevent or reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment as a whole;
(b) assess concentrations of benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air on the basis of common methods and criteria;
(c) obtain adequate information on concentrations of benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air and ensure that it is made available to the public;
(d) maintain ambient air quality where it is good and improve it in other cases with respect to benzene and carbon monoxide.
Article 2 - Definitions
For the purposes of this Directive:
1. 'upper assessment threshold` shall mean a level specified in Annex III, below which a combination of measurements and modelling techniques may be used to assess ambient air quality, in accordance with Article 6(3) of Directive 96/62/EC;
2. 'lower assessment threshold` shall mean a level specified in Annex III, below which modelling or objective estimation techniques alone may be used to assess ambient air quality in accordance with Article 6(4) of Directive 96/62/EC;
3. 'fixed measurements` shall mean measurements taken in accordance with Article 6(5) of Directive 96/62/EC.
Article 3 - Benzene
The margin of tolerance laid down in Annex I shall apply in accordance with Article 8 of Directive 96/62/EC.
2. Within zones and agglomerations, within which Member States can demonstrate that the application of measures to meet the limit value laid down in Annex I would result in severe socio-economic problems, the Commission may, acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 12(2) of Directive 96/62/EC, grant time-limited extensions for meeting the limit value for periods of up to five years.
Article 4 - Carbon monoxide
The margin of tolerance laid down in Annex II shall apply in accordance with Article 8 of Directive 96/62/EC.
Article 5 - Assessment of concentrations
The classification of each zone or agglomeration for the purposes of the same Article 6 shall be reviewed at least every five years in accordance with the procedure laid down in Section II of Annex III. Classification should be reviewed earlier in the event of significant change in activities relevant to ambient concentrations of benzene and carbon monoxide.
2. The criteria for determining the location of sampling points for the measurement of benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air shall be those listed in Annex IV. The minimum number of sampling points for fixed measurements of concentrations of each relevant pollutant shall be as laid down in Annex V, and they shall be installed in each zone or agglomeration within which measurement is required if fixed measurement is the sole source of data on concentrations within it.
3. For zones and agglomerations within which information from fixed measurement stations is supplemented by information from other sources, such as emission inventories, indicative measurement methods and air quality modelling, the number of fixed measuring stations to be installed and the spatial resolution of other techniques shall be sufficient for the concentrations of air pollutants to be established in accordance with Section I of Annex IV, and Section I of Annex VI.
4. For zones and agglomerations within which measurement is not required, modelling or objective-estimation techniques may be used.
5. The reference methods for the analysis and the sampling of benzene and carbon monoxide shall be as laid down in Sections I and II of Annex VII. Section III of Annex VII sets out reference techniques for air quality modelling.
6. The date by which Member States shall inform the Commission of the methods used for the preliminary assessment of air quality under point (d) of Article 11(1) of Directive 96/62/EC shall be the date set out in Article 9.
7. Any amendments necessary to adapt the provisions of this Article and Annexes III to VII to scientific and technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 12 of Directive 96/62/EC.
Article 6 - Public information
Information on ambient concentrations of benzene shall be updated on at least a monthly basis. Information on ambient concentrations of carbon monoxide shall be updated on at least a daily basis.
Such information shall at least indicate any exceedances of the concentrations stated in the limit values over the averaging periods laid down in Annexes I and II. It shall also provide a short assessment in relation to limit values and appropriate information regarding effects on health.
2. When making plans or programmes available to the public under Article 8(3) of Directive 96/62/EC, Member States shall also make them available to the organisations referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
3. Information made available to the public and to organisations under paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be clear, comprehensible and accessible.
Article 7 - Report
2. The report shall be presented as an integral part of an air quality strategy, designed to review and propose Community air quality objectives and develop implementing strategies to ensure the achievement of those objectives. The strategy shall take into account:
(a) the implementation of existing requirements relating to air quality, acidification and eutrophication, including progress in implementing limit values and target values established in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 96/62/EC;
(b) transport of pollution across national boundaries;
(c) the need for new or revised objectives relating to air quality, acidification and eutrophication;
(d) current air quality and trends up to and beyond the year 2010;
(e) the broad scope for making further reductions to polluting emissions across all relevant sources, taking account of their technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness;
(f) the relationships between pollutants and opportunities for combined strategies for achieving Community air quality and related objectives;
(g) current and future requirements for informing the public and for the exchange information between Member States and Commission;
(h) the experience acquired in the application of this Directive in Member States including, in particular, the conditions as laid down in Annex IV under which measurement has been carried out.
3. With a view to maintaining a high level of protection of human health and the environment, the report shall be accompanied by proposals for the amendment of this Directive if appropriate. In particular the Commission shall propose an absolute limit to the length of any further extensions to the timetable for meeting the limit value for benzene in Annex I which may be agreed under Article 3(2).
Article 8 - Penalties
Article 9 - Implementation
When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.
2. The Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.
Article 10 - Entry into force
Article 11 - Addressees
(1) OJ C 138, 17.5.1993, p. 5.
(2) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996, p. 55.
ANNEX I
LIMIT VALUE FOR BENZENE
The limit value must be expressed in ìg/m³. The volume must be standardised at a temperature of 293 K and a pressure of 101,3 kPa.
>TABLE>
ANNEX II
LIMIT VALUE FOR CARBON MONOXIDE
The limit value must be expressed in mg/m³. The volume must be standardised at a temperature of 293 K and a pressure of 101,3 kPa.
>TABLE>
ANNEX III
DETERMINATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSESSMENT OF CONCENTRATIONS OF BENZENE AND CARBON MONOXIDE IN AMBIENT AIR WITHIN A ZONE OR AGGLOMERATION
I. Upper and lower assessment thresholds
The following upper and lower assessment thresholds will apply:
(a) >TABLE>
(b) >TABLE>
II. Determination of exceedances of upper and lower assessment thresholds
Exceedances of upper and lower assessment thresholds must be determined on the basis of concentrations during the previous five years where sufficient data are available. An assessment threshold will be deemed to have been exceeded if during those five years the total number of exceedances of the numerical concentration of the threshold is more than three times the number of exceedances allowed each year.
Where fewer than five years' data are available Member States may combine measurement campaigns of short duration during the period of the year and at locations likely to be typical of the highest pollution levels with results obtained from information from emission inventories and modelling to determine exceedances of the upper and lower assessment thresholds.
ANNEX IV
LOCATION OF SAMPLING POINTS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF CONCENTRATIONS OF BENZENE AND CARBON MONOXIDE IN AMBIENT AIR
The following considerations will apply to fixed measurement.
I. Macroscale siting
Sampling points directed at the protection of human health should be sited:
(i) to provide data on the areas within zones and agglomerations where the highest concentrations occur to which the population is likely to be directly or indirectly exposed for a period which is significant in relation to the averaging period of the limit value(s);
(ii) to provide data on levels in other areas within the zones and agglomerations which are representative of the exposure of the general population.
Sampling points should in general be sited to avoid measuring very small micro-environments in their immediate vicinity. As a guideline, a sampling point should be sited to be representative of air quality in a surrounding area of no less than 200 m² at traffic-orientated sites and of several square kilometres at urban-background sites.
Sampling points should also, where possible, be representative of similar locations not in their immediate vicinity.
Account should be taken of the need to locate sampling points on islands, where that is necessary for the protection of human health.
II. Microscale siting
The following guidelines should be met as far as practicable:
- The flow around the inlet sampling probe should be unrestricted without any obstructions affecting the airflow in the vicinity of the sampler (normally some metres away from buildings, balconies, trees, and other obstacles and at least 0,5 m from the nearest building in the case of sampling points representing air quality at the building line);
- in general, the inlet sampling point should be between 1,5 m (the breathing zone) and 4 m above the ground. Higher positions (up to 8 m) may be necessary in some circumstances. Higher siting may also be appropriate if the station is representative of a large area;
- the inlet probe should not be positioned in the immediate vicinity of sources in order to avoid direct intake of emissions unmixed with ambient air;
- the sampler's exhaust outlet should be positioned so that recirculation of exhaust air to the sample inlet is avoided;
- location of traffic-orientated samplers:
- for all pollutants, such sampling points should be at least 25 metres from the edge of major junctions and at least 4 m from the centre of the nearest traffic lane;
- for carbon monoxide, inlets should be no more than 5 m from the kerbside;
- for benzene, inlets should be sited so as to be representative of air quality near to the building line.
The following factors may also be taken into account:
- interfering sources;
- security;
- access;
- availability of electrical power and telephone communications;
- visibility of the site in relation to its surroundings;
- safety of public and operators;
- the desirability of co-locating sampling points for different pollutants;
- planning requirements.
III. Documentation and review of site selection
The site selection procedures should be fully documented at the classification stage by such means as compass-point photographs of the surrounding area and a detailed map. Sites should be reviewed at regular intervals with repeated documentation to ensure that selection criteria remain valid over time.
ANNEX V
CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING NUMBERS OF SAMPLING POINTS FOR FIXED MEASUREMENT OF CONCENTRATIONS OF BENZENE AND CARBON MONOXIDE IN AMBIENT AIR
Minimum number of sampling points for fixed measurement to assess compliance with limit values for the protection of human health in zones and agglomerations where fixed measurement is the sole source of information
(a) >TABLE>
(b) Point sources
For the assessment of pollution in the vicinity of point sources, the number of sampling points for continuous measurement should be calculated taking into account emission densities, the likely distribution patterns of ambient air pollution and potential exposure of the population.
ANNEX VI
DATA QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND COMPILATION OF RESULTS OF AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT
I. Data quality objectives
The following data quality objectives, for required accuracy of assessment methods, and of minimum time coverage and of data capture of measurement are provided to guide quality-assurance programmes.
>TABLE>
The accuracy of the measurement is defined as laid down in the 'Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty of Measurements` (ISO 1993), or in ISO 5725-1 'Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results` (1994). The percentages in the table are given for individual measurements averaged, over the period considered, by the limit value, for a 95 % confidence interval (bias + two times the standard deviation). The accuracy for continuous measurements should be interpreted as being applicable in the region of the appropriate limit value.
The accuracy for modelling and objective estimation is defined as the maximum deviation of the measured and calculated concentration levels, over the period considered, by the limit value, without taking into account the timing of the events.
The requirements for minimum data capture and time coverage do not include losses of data due to the regular calibration or the normal maintenance of the instrumentation.
II. Results of air quality assessment
The following information should be compiled for zones or agglomerations within which sources other than measurement are employed to supplement information from measurement or as the sole means of air quality assessment:
- a description of assessment activities carried out;
- the specific methods used, with references to descriptions of the method;
- the sources of data and information;
- a description of results, including accuracies and, in particular, the extent of any area or, if relevant, the length of road within the zone or agglomeration over which concentrations exceed limit value(s) or, as may be, limit value(s) plus applicable margin(s) of tolerance and of any area within which concentrations exceed the upper assessment threshold or the lower assessment threshold;
- for limit values the object of which is the protection of human health, the population potentially exposed to concentrations in excess of the limit value.
Where possible, Member States should compile maps showing concentration distributions within each zone and agglomeration.
III. Standardisation
For benzene and carbon monoxide the volume must be standardised at a temperature of 293 K and a pressure of 101,3 kPa.
ANNEX VII
REFERENCE METHODS FOR ASSESSMENT OF CONCENTRATIONS OF BENZENE AND CARBON MONOXIDE
I. Reference method for the sampling/analysis of benzene
The reference method for the measurement of benzene will be the pumped sampling method on a sorbent cartridge followed by gas chromatographic determination that is currently being standardized by CEN. In the absence of a CEN standardized method, the Member States are allowed to use national standard methods based on the same measurement method.
A Member State may also use any other method which it can demonstrate gives results equivalent to the above method.
II. Reference method for the analysis of carbon monoxide
The reference method for the measurement of carbon monoxide will be the non-dispersive infrared spectometric (NDIR) method, that is currently being standardized by CEN. In the absence of a CEN standardized method, the Member States are allowed to use national standard methods based on the same measurement method.
A Member State may also use any other method which it can demonstrate gives results equivalent to the above method.
III. Reference modelling techniques
Reference modelling techniques cannot be specified at present.