Air Quality

This section has details of developments to control and manage ambient air quality across the UK, including European and international air quality issues.

Air Quality Information:

* External web sites managed for Defra by AEA Technology Limited.

Headline/latest information:

15 January 2004: Use of multi-criteria analysis in air quality policy - report

15 January 2004: Statistical release: Air quality headline indicator for sustainable development: 2003 (provisional figures) - also this News release

The Air Quality Limit Values Regulations 2003, Statutory Instrument 2003 Number 2121: map referred to under Regulation 2; definition of "zone"

27 November 2003: Consultation: UK report regarding plans and programmes to achieve limit values set by the first air quality daughter directive

July 2003: A feasibility study for a London low emission zone (LEZ) was launched on 9 July 2003. The Association of London Government, the Mayor of London, the London boroughs and the Government welcomed the publication of the study in a joint press release available at www.london.gov.uk ; a copy of the feasibility study can be viewed at www.london-lez.org .

Final consultation drafts on the second review of process guidance notes - solvents sector (23 July 2003).

Consultation on proposal for an EU environmental Directive - sulphur in marine fuel (14 July 2003)

LA-IPPC and LAPPC - Policy and Procedure for Permitting Installations: Secretary of State's Guidance Manual

National Emission Ceilings Directive (National Strategy to Combat Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-Level Ozone): Summary of responses to consultation, and implementing Regulations (17 March 2003)

Local authority environmental regulation of industrial plant - fees and charges 2003/04 (14 March 2003)

Report on updates to critical loads for habitats sensitive to acidification and nutrient nitrogen: The National Focal Centre for Critical Loads has published a report for Defra and the devolved administrations, documenting its latest updates to the methods to calculate and map critical loads for UK habitats sensitive to acidification and eutrophication. The updates have been made in light of new scientific information. The report can be accessed on the National Focal Centre's website: www.critloads.ceh.ac.uk

Large Combustion Plants Directive: Notice of Directions Given by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environment Agency

Air pollution information

• News Release (16 May 2002) regarding launch of National Air Quality Information Archive web site
• Proposals to Improve the Air Pollution Public Information Bulletin: Consultation Paper and Response to Consultation Paper
• Development of an Overall Indicator of Air Pollution Concentrations

Air Quality Strategy

Sets out health-based objectives for ambient air pollutants in the UK.

Latest Material

• 15 January 2004: Use of multi-criteria analysis for air quality policy
• Addendum to the Air Quality Strategy (6 February 2003)
• "Cutting air pollution - tough new targets" (News Release, 5 August 2002) - also Summary of Responses to the consultation document, Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: proposals for air quality objectives for particles, benzene, carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
• Research report on the possible links between social deprivation and air pollution (24 May 2002) - see the "Strategic Policy Analysis" section of the "National Air Quality Information Archive" web site managed by AEA Technology Limited.
• Valuation of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems: A Scoping Study
• An Economic Analysis to Inform the Review of the Air Quality Strategy Objectives for Particles

Air Quality Strategy Regulations

• The Air Quality (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002
  [available on the web site of Her Majesty's Stationery Office]
• The Air Quality (England) Regulation 2000

Earlier Material

• Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Review of the National Air Quality Strategy; Associated Documents

National Audit Office review

The National Audit Office used the development of the second Air Quality Strategy to examine policy development processes of the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (now Defra) - their report is available on the NAO web site.

Information Leaflets

• Ammonia in the UK (booklet, summary leaflet) - why ammonia is a concern and what could be done to tackle the problems - see also this News Release (18 October 2002)
• Air Pollution - what it means for your health - leaflet revised and updated to take account of improvements to the public information service and to offer more associated health advice - see also this News Release (16 May 2002)
• Winter Smog Summer Smog
• Sulphur Limits in Liquid Fuels
• Defra's Air Quality Newsletters:
  • Newsletter No. 6 (August 2003)
  • Newsletter No. 5 (February 2003)
  • Newsletter No. 4 (October 2002)
  • Newsletter No. 3 (November 2001)
  • Newsletter No. 2 (April 2001)
  • Newsletter No. 1 (November 2000)

Panels and Fora

• Air Quality Expert Group
• Air Quality Forum
• Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQS)
• Industry Forum (LAPC)

Local Air Quality Issues

• Local Air Quality Management
  • Revised Local Air Quality Management Guidance
  • Air quality progress report guidance

Industrial Air Pollution Issues

• Industrial Air Pollution Control by Local Authorities
  • Consultation on local authority air fees and charges scheme 2003/04 (closing date 3 January 2003)
  • LAPC Consultation on Risk-Based Regulation and Inspection Frequency (for comments by 2 August 2002).
• AQ Notes
• Meetings of the Industry Forum
• Meetings of the Industrial Pollution Liaison Committee

European and International Issues

Negotiation and implementation of EU air quality directives and international measures to control transboundary air pollution. Transposition of EU Directives into national law.

• Solvent Emission Directive: Consultation on application fees for substitution plans for risk phrase solvents Deadline 26 November 2003
• Consultation on proposal for an EU environmental Directive - sulphur in marine fuel (14 July 2003)
• National Emission Ceilings Directive (National Strategy to Combat Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-Level Ozone): Summary of responses to consultation, and implementing Regulations
• Waste Incineration Directive 2000/76/EC - Implementing Regulations and Directions (December 2002)
• Large Combustion Plant Directive - progress on implementation - consultations - Directions given by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environment Agency - LCPD Industry Forum
• Second and Third Air Quality Daughter Directives: Consultation Paper (closed 8 November 2002)
• Petrol Vapour Recovery Stage II - summary of responses to consultation - follows earlier consultation paper and accompanying News Release
• Summary of Responses to Consultation: UK Ratification of the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals - follows earlier consultation paper
• Solvent Emissions Directive - UK implementing Directions
• Proposed Regulations Transposing the EC Air Quality Framework Directive and 1st Daughter Directive and [Response to Consultation Paper]
• Acid Rain: Acidification in the UK
• Article 5 Assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide, PM10, Sulphur Dioxide and Lead in the UK
• 'Transboundary Air Pollution: Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground Level Ozone in the UK': draft report produced by the National Expert Group on Transboundary Air Pollution (Consultation Paper)
• Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on National Emission Ceilings for Certain Atmospheric Pollutants [documents 99/0067 COD and COM(99)125 final]
• Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment: Council Common Position on a Proposed Council and European Parliament Directive Amending Directive 88/609 on the Limitation of Emissions of Certain Pollutants into the Air from Large Combustion Plants:
• Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment: Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on National Emission Ceilings for Certain Atmospheric Pollutants

Publications

The National Expert Group on Transboundary Air Pollution was set up in 1998 to advise the Government on the impacts of air pollution on ecosystems. Professor David Fowler of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Edinburgh chairs the group, and members include ecology and air pollution experts. The group's report, "Transboundary Air Pollution: Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone in the UK" was published in December 2001. The report is available at www.nbu.ac.uk/negtap/ and in printed form upon request from air.quality@defra.gsi.gov.uk

At the same time, a leaflet 'United Kingdom Acid Waters Monitoring Network'was published, summarising the findings of the monitoring network in its 12 year history. The Network monitors the chemical and biological condition of 22 lakes and streams in the UK affected by acid rain. Results over the 12 year period show that improvements in water quality and in some aquatic species have begun, as a result of in reductions in acid rain. The leaflet is available on the Network's website, together with more information on the sites and measurements: www.ukawmn.ucl.ac.uk/

Contacting Defra

If you want further information that is not covered by these pages, you can contact us by e-mail at air.quality@defra.gsi.gov.uk