Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
conditions beyond BAT may be introduced to comply with environmental quality
standards. The implementation of this Article could be scrutinised on a European
level.
7.3.7 Revision of the NEC Directive
A revised NEC Directive, which includes emission ceilings for PM
2.5
, is of utmost
importance in order to prepare the path for emission reductions up to 2020 and to
achieve various environmental objectives. It will also contribute to attaining the
PM
10
and NO
2
limit values. It will furthermore be an important input for the
foreseen revision of the Gothenburg Protocol, designed to also reduce
transboundary pollution from countries outside the EU. Therefore a proposal for
a revised NEC Directive should be published as soon as possible. The emission
ceilings included therein should be ambitious so as to facilitate the attainment of air
quality limit values.
8 Conclusions
Critical areas are defined as areas where compliance with limit values, in particular
for PM
10
and NO
2,
is difficult for various reasons.
This study has shown that basic available data such as levels of air pollution
(including background levels), trends of air pollution and population (size of cities,
population density) are suitable indicators to characterise most critical areas. It has
been investigated if certain additional factors known to influence air quality show a
correlation with air pollution levels and are therefore appropriate proxy data to
identify such areas.
However, no clear pattern has emerged that allows a clear discrimination
between critical and non-critical areas.
Besides high background concentrations - partly originating from transboundary
pollution - a number of different sources exist for PM
10
which require specific
action. Nevertheless, traffic is a dominant local source in most areas. For NO
2
traffic is the only predominant source. NO
2
levels have often remained on a high
level in recent years, which points to the non-delivery of Euro standards for diesel
vehicles and increasing primary NO
2
emissions.
This study has shown that various critical areas across Europe share similar
problems and that it is therefore helpful to look at factors influencing air quality on a
European scale, and to share knowledge on specific factors across different areas.
However, some gaps have been identified, especially with respect to the
• Completeness of air quality assessments throughout the territory of all Member
States
• Completeness and quality of datasets on activities and emissions
• Documentation of the status and success of measures
