Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards

Guidelines for halogens and hydrogen halides in ambient air for protecting human health against acute irritancy effects

February 2006 - ISBN 0-85521-169-5

This report recommends guideline values for six substances: chlorine, bromine, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen iodide.

The values recommended represent a level at which no significant health effects would be expected to occur over the short-term, specifically guarding against the effects of acute irritancy.

The report forms part of the Panel's current work programme in which it is advising the Environment Agency on some of the priority substances it is responsible for regulating.

• Full report (excluding front and back covers) (470 KB)

• Front cover and preliminary pages (370 KB)

• Chapter 1 – Introduction (90 KB)

• Chapter 2 – Chlorine (65 KB)

• Chapter 3 – Bromine (64 KB)

• Chapter 4 – Hydrogen fluoride (77 KB)

• Chapter 5 – Hydrogen chloride (62 KB)

• Chapter 6 – Hydrogen bromide (59 KB)

• Chapter 7 – Hydrogen iodide (54 KB)

• Chapter 8 – Future research (30 KB)

• Abbreviations, glossary and appendices (449 KB)

Paper copies of this report (PB11176) are available from:

Defra Publications
Admail 6000
London SW1A 2XX
Tel: 08459 556000
Email: defra@iforcegroup.com

A draft version of this report was consulted on in 2005:

• Consultation: Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards: guidelines for halogen and hydrogen halides in ambient air for protecting human health against acute irritancy effects (closed June 2005)

Further information

• Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards

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